solid sequel

Rating: 8/10 (7 December 2013)

The Hunger Games- Catching Fire is a worthy sequel to its fine predecessor. A quick flashback on the premise- in a dystopian future, Panem and its decadent elite rules over 12 impoverished and rebellious districts. Panem conducts an annual event- the Hunger Games to enforce their domination. The games are gladiatorial fights to the death and a test of survival between selected representatives from all the districts, and there must be only one winner. Catching fire Picks up right where the first one ended, when Katniss and Peeta were crowned joint victors on choosing to end their own life rather than take each others.
"Remember who the real enemy is"
In this edition, they are now unwilling pawns for Panem, who want to use them to bring peace among the districts. When things start getting out of control, and the victors become a symbol of the revolution, a new Hunger Games where only ex victors would fight, is constituted. This time round the going gets a lot tougher as it is not innocent children, but vicious killers and shrewd survivors in the fray. Unlikely alliances need to be made, and bonds are tested to the utmost. The movie is not a slam-bam affair, it gets going slowly, and there is plenty of emotion, drama, and action. The budgets have doubled over the last movie, and it shows in the excellent quality visual effects. And of course there is Jennifer Lawrence playing Katniss with grace, vulnerability, inspiration and steel. In an environment thriving on animal instinct, she brings in a sense of humanity. At the same time, she is also a kid and she learns the hard way that defiance begets repercussions.
Catching Fire suffers from the unfortunate case of being the second in a trilogy. Like the Matrix Reloaded or The Empire Strikes Back, it builds up to a point but then ends rather abruptly- as a result, a lot of questions, but no answers. Even then, it is a great lead up, with the bigger picture emerging- the focus of the series shifting away from Katniss, her family and love life, to the revolution, while at the same time probes deeper into the series themes of love, honor, loyalty and freedom.
People who have watched 2012's Hunger Games will enjoy this thoroughly. Even though Catching Fire is highly recommended, new viewers will do well to see the prequel or reading the book before going for this. The odds are in its favor, after all- 8/10