Finally, a blockbuster movie worth the hype

Rating: 9/10 (23 November 2013)

Superbly acted, amazing visuals, constant thrills and much improved camera work. Catching Fire takes the foundations of it's predecessor's success and builds the ultimate blockbuster.
The knockout punch of the year is here.
After surviving the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen has unwillingly become a beacon of hope for the people and they see her as their spark, the spark that will start the fires of revolution to bring an end to the oppressive ways of the government of Panem, led by the merciless President Snow. And Snow is not happy. Whilst trying to figure out her own emotions and feelings towards her on screen sweetheart Peeta Mellark and her rugged and rebellious friend Gale Hawthorne, Katniss is placed in a precarious position; will she become a puppet for the Capitol to restore order? Or will she embrace the rebellion and change Panem forever? The stakes are high and one false move could spell doom for Katniss and those she loves.
The superb Academy Award winning Jennifer Lawrence is on fine form once again and injects more emotion and passion into Katniss Everdeen. Fortunately, she is no longer having to carry the film through as many scenes as she did in the original due to the superb performances of the supporting cast.
Firstly, Josh Hutcherson. Branded as just another pretty face by many, Hutcherson steps out of the shadows and ups his game, Peeta is no longer the wimpy lover boy that many saw him as but he is now a fierce and passionate warrior willing to sacrifice all he has for Katniss. A vast improvement from the first film, Hutcherson really has come on leaps and bounds.
Woody Harrelson and Donald Sutherland improve greatly on their portrayals and become really convincing as Katniss' mentor and enemy respectively. This is probably down to more screen time, we rarely saw these two in the first film but this time round they play much more central roles to the film's plot. Elizabeth Banks is as superb as ever in her role as Effie Trinket, Katniss' chaperone. Phillip Seymour-Hoffman is an exciting addition of star power to the already big name cast, his role as new games makes Plutarch Heavansbee is well done but lacks some of the real intelligence that the character has from the book. Phillip's delivery at times is also a little blunt but he still does enough to create a great character. Liam Hemsworth's performance as Gale is perhaps the only blemish. His character gets more screen time this time around but he lacks any real conviction and comes across as quite bland.
Rejoice! No more shaky cam! Francis Lawrence, director, breathes a well needed breath of fresh life into the film. The camera work is superb and very well edited with some super fast cuts which add much more thrill and tension to the film. The scenery is stunning and brilliantly constructed and we get a good look at several different locations within Panem.
And the story? Well, if you've read the books, you'll know that you're in for a thrill. But if not, then this film will grab by the neck and never let you go. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll jump but most of all you'll never be able to forget it. This film will stick with you for a long time.
The perfect blockbuster? Absolutely.