Just...Amazing

Rating: 9/10 (3 July 2014)

This movie exceeded my expectations when I came to see it on opening night. The acting is amazing. Elizabeth Banks really brings out Effie's emotional side in this movie. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson really do well together, especially Jennifer Lawrence. I wish Donald Sutherland got the "Best Villain" at the MTV awards, because he was chilling when he was explaining to Katniss that there was unsettlement in the Districts. Jena Malone really stole the show for me, though. I loved how she "out- Katniss-ed" Katniss. I also loved how the movie stayed so true to the book, although there was still a few things that didn't make it into the book. Judging by the 2.5 hour running time, I guess that's OK. They did the ending where she destroys the arena well, and it was very emotional. People who didn't read the book were like "...What just happened...",but in a good way. Also, I'm glad that in this movie, the Games actually seemed scary. In the first Hunger Games, the Games didn't seem like something that was too crazy scary. This movie did a better job of that. The only thing that got to me was the fact that not enough time was spent on some of the other tributes. I get that the other tributes needed a big debut for the for the last two movies, but thankfully I read the book,or else I would think Brutus as "Old Baldy", Enobaria as "The One With the Sharp Teeth", and Cashmere and Gloss as "The Siblings That Can Throw Their Knives at the Convenient Two Targets Two Milliseconds After They See Them". Thank goodness for the bigger budget for this movie, because looking at the Tribute Parade costumes and Katniss' interview dress in the first movie was dreadful. The costuming for this movie was amazing. I loved the arena suits that the tributes wear, and basically every Katniss outfit there is. I honestly can't see anyone else wearing all of the outfits that Jennifer Lawrence wears. One thing that got a little annoying is they made her look 35 in the beginning. She was supposed to be 17, people! There are a lot of elements of this movie that make it great, but what really got me to watch it 7 times in total was not plot, or the acting, although they were both done well. It was the score. I'm sure people like dark music every once in a while, and this really brings that. James Newton Howard has really outdone himself for this movie, although he has done very good works of art in the past. Each piece of the score is something I would want to listen to over and over again. I am also glad that with quality , there is also quantity. It is 11 songs more than The Hunger Games Score. My top ten would be 10. Horn of Plenty: I must say, this piece is as awesome as everyone says it is. 9. A Quarter Quell: I don't really have a way of describing how awesome this is. It just is. 8. There's Always A Flaw: I am SO glad that they made a Beetee theme. It really describes his intelligence and abilities. 7. Bow And Arrow: Although this is one of those pieces where you have to watch the scene along with it, it is REALLY cool :) 6. Katniss: This theme is pretty cool, because it doesn't really capture Katniss as a person, but in the scenes she's in, it really fits in well. 5. Let's Start: The first part of the song is kind of a recap of The Reaping, which was my favorite part of the Hunger Games Score, although they speed it up a little. The second half of the piece is even cooler. 4.The Tour: When Katniss gave her "Ruelogy", this part of the piece was very emotional and I could imagine the scene playing out in my head. Honestly at this point, I could pretty much watch this movie in my head by now, but what fun is that? Too much work. :)Then the next part of the piece comes in right about when they give their speeches to the other Districts. I thought that was a pretty cool part of the piece. 3.Katniss is Chosen: As soon as I hear it, I can think of the Lily's Theme, which also had me crying as I will reluctantly admit, but what makes this better is the fact that there is something going on in it. If it wasn't for that, then Lily's Theme would be better. This whole scene basically was as sad as heck seeing as it's Katniss and Peeta again, but the other way around, with Peeta being the volunteer. 2. The Fog: This song as a whole is fast and breathtaking, but the part that really gets me from then on is when Katniss sees the fog staying in its own barrier, at 2:53. At 3:22,when Katniss goes into the water, gives me goosebumps whether it's just the song or the actual movie. I just think the scene is very well done and I can't imagine it being any different. This song is also a repeat of the reaping, except for the fact that it is very much improved by having violins as the dominant instrument instead of trumpets at 4:00. 1. Arena Crumbles: For being such a short song, it really leaves an impact on the movie. The emotionalistness (is that even a word?) of it leaves you breathless, especially at 1:23. The song leaves me with chills EVERY time. So although I wish the other tributes were more included, I do believe that this is a strong sequel and deserves a strong 9.4 out of 10.