Solid step up from the first film even though it still lacks real teeth

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 2014)

When I watched the first Hunger Games film I was surprised by how safe, sanitized and almost totally unmemorable it was – things that were even more surprising to me when you consider the subject matter of children murdering children. To me that was a failing of the film but also of the first part of the story since we really did need more horror and oppression to it all. As a result I really wasn't too bothered about seeing the next film but eventually I did simply because I had time to kill.
Fortunately the second film steps things up pretty well because in the first hour I felt it did a much better job showing the impact of the killing and the violent oppression of the state than it did the first time. This is important because it did draw me into the situation rather than letting me sit passively. When the games section comes it does keep it relatively tight in the training section so it doesn't feel too retread. The games themselves focus less on the 1v1 aspect and more on the build to something else; this is fine for me since the film still lacks the nerve to be horrific in this way but here does at least provide some good action as it goes. The production values have also been increased and the laughable effects of the first film have been replaced by ones much more becoming of a film that wants to be a large blockbuster franchise.
The entertainment value of the film is higher as a result but I did enjoy that it had found more of a consistent dark edge, even if it did still lack real bite in some ways. The performances were mostly strong too. With Lawrence in particular being very good at making the most of whatever she is given – which at times is not a huge amount it must be said. Hutcherson is the polar opposite of this and I have no idea how someone so bland managed to get such a role as this. Support is good from Harrelson, Sutherland, Banks, Tucci, Hoffman, Wright and others, giving the film a good spread of class even if they do not really get much time to do much.
It is still flawed but at least this film seemed like it knew what it wanted to do and it found a darker edge it felt comfortable with even if it never really pushes the audience out of that nice marketable comfort zone that it has. I'm not only hoping the next film can continue this improvement but I'm looking forward to finding out.