Catching bunnies and turkeys...

Rating: 7/10 (20 November 2013)

Is where we begin, after a haunting opening image of Katniss Everdeen overlooking water. Then, like in THG, Gale joins her. Even this opening is more interesting than the first film, and things only get better - a word which, if you could only choose one, would best describe this film in relation to the last. Having not read the books, I can only judge these films as movie-going experiences and not as adaptations, but this was definitely a much improved film from the last. Yes, it's longer (not by much), but what makes it work is that it never *feels* like it's taking too long, unlike THG. Even the beginning half proves more interesting, in comparison to the beginning of the last film. The stakes have well and truly been upped, as now it's the survivors of the previous games pitted against each other. Everything just feels more ruthless. Despite a lot of deaths happening offscreen, this film feels much more cutthroat. One scene involving escape from gas-poison fog which causes nasty blisters is particularly heart-pounding.
Jennifer Lawrence, the winner of a completely deserved Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook, continues to prove herself the best person for the job of bringing heroine Katniss Everdeen to life. She is the heart of the film and without her, it'd all fall apart. She gives this film her all, going through a wide range of emotions and really grounding the movie. Her dynamics with all the different characters are unique and she conveys so much with even the slightest of expressions. Those naysayers who doubted her in the beginning won't be going hungry, as they should be eating their words by now. She gives everything's she's got, the emotions she experiences on screen aren't just gut-wrenching for her, but for us too, watching her have to go through them. So much weighs on her shoulders, but she endures. Helping with that is Peeta. Her relationship with him is a complicated one, and Josh Hutcherson is up to the task of getting across just how difficult it is for his character. You can't help but feel for him. Meanwhile, Gale gets a few more scenes than just looking on, appearing sad as he watches Katniss & Peeta play up their fake (or is it?) love for each other for the cameras. There's a whipping scene that's quite brutal - as is a lot of the film.
Seeing Haymitch, Effie and Cinna return is welcome, and not unlike seeing old friends again. Although she's still made up to look like a drag queen, Elizabeth Banks continues to provide a little humour in these otherwise bleak films, but this time also gets to have some actual emotional scenes - which she does with great nuance and they actually pack quite the punch. Haymitch, although still as alcoholic as ever (as the sound of many an empty bottle is heard whenever Katniss goes to see him), is much more than a drunkard mentor. He's quite complex and, like with Cinna, his scenes with Katniss are always enjoyable to watch. Speaking of, Lenny Kravitz's character provides not only some nice small moments with Lawrence, but also gives us some truly amazing outfits for her to wear that aren't just pretty, but provide statements/have meaning in the film. It's horrible to see what happens to him just before Katniss goes up in that tube, and she has mere moments to deal with it before being thrust into unknown territory. The 'game' between Katniss & Snow is also taken up more than a few notches. Donald Sutherland plays a truly loathsome character...which I guess means he's doing his job well. The horrible things he does in Katniss' name make him someone you really want to see her put an arrow through the eye of. Her sister, Prim, gets some more focus as well, which proves important.
We also get some new characters this time around. Philip Seymour Hoffman's Plutarch Heavensbee is far more interesting/complex than Seneca Crane (who he replaces) ever was. Sam Claflin's Finnick and Jena Malone's Johanna are two new intriguing additions. While Finnick starts off seeming like just another surfer boy who likes to walk around shirtless, he winds up being much more than that. While Johanna is a bit annoying to begin with, stripping in an elevator for seemingly no reason (though that scene is totally worth it just for Lawrence's expression alone), and while she is a bit shriek-y at times, she proves quite the ally. Jeffrey Wright's Beetee is also a welcome addition. Everyone else? Eh. Some are okay, others ridiculous (pointed teeth and hissing do not a menacing adversary make), most forgettable or annoying.
What a difference a new director has made. Francis Lawrence has thankfully ditched the shaky cam that plagued the first film and things aren't needlessly queasy this time around. Everything looks much more impressive on screen, from dresses Katniss wears to the special effects and scenery. Also improved is the passing. While things may start out "slow", they never feel plodding. I was actually transfixed by the goings on before we ever got to the action. The score helps. Everything's a vast improvement over the last film. Even the ending, while still a bit strange and rather abrupt, is far superior to the last film's (which really should've ended on Katniss & Peeta, I felt, rather than Snow walking away). This time, the ending has so much meaning behind it. Several characters' fates are left up in the air, but what it really all comes down to is the final expression on Katniss' face. She goes through so many emotions in the space of mere seconds. The final moments really show off Jennifer Lawrence's skill as an actress, and you can't help but think "There's our girl". She is indeed on fire. As is the Mockingjay symbol at the end, which promises even better things to come.