Make him pay for it.

Rating: 8/10 (24 December 2013)

In the first Hunger Games film, it was quite shocking to see children indulging in blood shed and violence as part of their upbringing. Even to a lesser standard, as it serves the means of entertainment media, this latest chapter in Suzanne Collins's book trilogy has managed to burn a beautiful candle on both ends, with a complex and intricate story on one end, and a diverse and energetic atmosphere of performances from its cast, primary its lead star. Jennifer Lawrence with her naturalistic acting manages to further humanize Katniss Everdeen through this darker segment of The Hunger Games trilogy, as she encounters more loss and discovers more revelations within her struggle to defy the totalitarian regime of The Capitol and its ever growing vulnerability to the very rebellion that is rising.
Following her victory over The Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta (Hutcherson) return to their district, only to be welcomed by the supposedly honorable greeting of Big Brother Snow (Sutherland). Katniss's conversation with the president is brief but intimidating as she is given no choice but to become The Capitol's main figure head in promoting their regime and discouraging the hope she so blatantly encouraged in her defiance. Refusal although an option, is endowed with drastic consequences, regardless of the intentions. As the meeting ends, a mindful montage of slaughter begins as Katniss and Peeta extend their sympathies to each district, only to see bloodshed and suppression at every corner. Eventually, the hope that Katniss inspired, reaches her district as it is picked and torn apart by brutal law enforcement, and treatment inhumane enough to reawaken the literary influence of George Orwell's "1984." In the sense of the modern age, The Hunger Games Trilogy, though made within the confines of an epic, it certainly carries with it the essence of Orwell's masterpiece. Every trace of resistance is squashed, regardless of it being an innocent child or a decrypt senior that gets a bullet to the back of the head. Fear and media indulgence are what dominate, as the twelve districts receive nothing but a false image of Katniss and Peeta, all thanks to the work of mysterious and calmly collected game maker (Hoffman). Not long after the biased pleasantries, there comes the announcement of yet another Hunger Games, with a twist boot as victors from previous completions are hauled back into the very slaughter house that gave them riches and fame. Most of this comes from the cynical mouth of Joanna Mason (Malone), a previous victor whose scorn for Katniss comes from her own devout hatred of The Capitol and the blood shed they crave, disguised as a fashion show.
The previous installment of The Hunger Games was merely a demonstration of the carnage children could inflict on one another as they killed each other at the sound of a canon. This year's Hunger Games were played more mutually, and although taking on a darker and hopeless tone, there was a slight dimmer of hope as Katniss acquired more allies for the growing rebellion to come in the upcoming sequels, The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay, which will be divided into two parts. As the story progresses, new characters are introduced and given more dimension as they bond and suffer the same pain as Katniss, losing those closest to them, giving them greater reason to fight and risk everything to defeat The Capitol. Sadly, such an idea is merely planted in this film's conclusion as it leaves with the final note of a cliff hanger, which has both its ups and down's. In the screening of this film, there was a lot of moaning and complaints as people screamed "That's not how you end a movie", which goes to show the ignorance of movie audiences. On a better note there was also praise in understanding the significance of the ending, thus generating greater excitement for the sequels to follow.
Upon seeing the first "Hunger Games" film, there was a lot of admiration, but also some doubt regarding the rather dreadful pattern of the sequel syndrome many films follow after commercial success. But thanks to the excellent direction by Francis Lawrence and the powerful performances of its cast, particularly Jennifer Lawrence, a wave of relief passes over this viewer, along with many others as the excitement for The Hunger Games sequels is more confident and capable of meeting such expectations. What was more striking in this particular segment was the struggle that followed Katniss's victory as her inspiration of hope triggered a chaotic jolt of fiery resistance that will cease to burn out. As this fire continues to burn through the plot of the film, the reality becomes more grim and desolate as Katniss's desire to distance herself from such heroics becomes more and more impossible in the waking misery that The Capitol inflicts on the twelve districts. The first film spoke for itself on a deep and personal level as the sight of children killing each other, rather joyfully was implemented as though it was a modern day tradition. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire took more drastic and effective turns in the story as the protagonist Katniss has developed from a warrior into a symbol. Now with the conclusion leaving at an uncertain future, the sequels will certainly give Lawrence's Everdeen the chance to become more than just a rebel, but a hero beyond simply here identity.