Second Time's A Charm!!!

Rating: 9/10 (3 December 2013)

Rarely does a sequel surpass the original film, but CATCHING FIRE does just that! The story: Having survived THE HUNGER GAMES, Katniss and Peeta find it difficult to adjust to their new found glory. On the one hand, they are disgusted that they are viewed as heroes, since they had to kill in order to make it. And on the other hand, they are frustrated to learn that their on screen romance has to continue for as long as they both live. Worse yet, President Snow is still greatly enraged that they deliberately flaunted his rules. People within the districts are starting to rebel and they look to Katniss, in particular, as a leader of hope. So in a devious maneuver, Snow forces both Katniss and Peeta back into next year's HUNGER GAMES. Building upon what the original HUNGER GAMES started, everything is strengthened. The directing and editing has been tightened. From a visual standpoint, everything looks gorgeous and impressive. The human story manages to go even deeper, touching upon issues such as hope under fire and freedom under oppression. Acting wise, we get the same strong performances from Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, as well as veterans Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Naturally, the main focus of the story is the death match itself. And in this sequel, the viewer won't be disappointed by a bevy of new and inventive traps and threats. Perhaps best of all is the ending, which leaves one excited for the upcoming sequel!