The Hunger Games franchise just caught fire

Rating: 8/10 (23 November 2013)

The Hunger Games franchise had a lot to prove this time around. Whilst the first film was hardly a flop, it wasn't quite up to scratch with the impact the trilogy of novels had on the world.
So, did it deliver? In short, absolutely.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the second instalment in the Hunger Games trilogy (turned to a quadrilogy for film) and sees our star- crossed lovers Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) enter the brutal Hunger Games Arena again, this time accompanied not by other teenage children, put previous victors, many of whom are experienced killers. But amongst all this, unrest is brewing in the dystopian nation of Panem and a revolution is starting to catch fire, all thanks to our heroine, Katniss Everdeen, who is largely unaware and slow to accept the influence she is having. The plot is undeniably strong. Whilst The Hunger Games provided us with a story about two teenage tributes fighting for their lives and their identities in an arena, this was merely the opening act, setting the scene and introducing us to the totalitarian and brutal society of Panem. Catching Fire is where the trilogy takes off, adding more twists and turns and starting to prepare the ground for the main event. What particularly pleased me is how Catching Fire manages to portray the imminent rebellion and the danger surrounding Kantiss and her loved ones as a result. The first instalment of the film quadrilogy, fatally, rushed the ending, failing to capture this. Catching Fire recovers from this mistake and, as a result, adds a whole new level of peril that runs throughout the film, up to the crucial twist employed by President Snow that sends Kantiss and Peeta back into the arena.
But the plot was never going to be the issue, the sales of the novel are a testimony to that. All director Francis Lawrence had to do was stick as close to the story as he could, whilst making it suitable for film. Fans of the books will be glad that he manages to do this (and everyone else should be equally glad), with only one or two exceptions which do, unfortunately, result in small plot holes which will leave those unfamiliar with the books having to come up with their own ways of filling the gaps, or at the very least somewhat bemused. The only real, large let-down I have is how the film fails to truly capture the nightmares that Katniss (and Peeta) experience after their horror of the Games. Although one part at the start of the film works fantastically, this aspect is hinted at a best and could have been done much better, at little cost or time. A wasted opportunity, I feel.
Fortunately, they're really the only negative points about this film though some of the acting still feels a little flat, particularly in the case of Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and Plutarch Heavensbee (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), the latter being particularly disappointing. Aside from the exceptions I mentioned, the acting throughout the film is generally superb. The casting of both Finnick Odair (Sam Clafin) and Johanna Mason (Jena Malone) is absolutely perfect and both actors play their roles brilliantly. Although Finnick comes across as too nice too quickly (readers of the novels will know that the discovery of Finnick's true character is one of the joys of the final two novels), Sam Clafin is flawless in every other regard and you can be sure that the teenage girl part of the audience will stifle a giggle in at least one instance, as it should be. Jena Malone also captures the extreme confidence and slight insanity of Johanna perfectly and adds great value to a large number of scenes. Even Beetee (Jeffery Wright), and certain minor characters – especially Thread (Patrick St. Espirit) - deserve an honourable mention.
Not to be outdone by the new additions to the cast, Jennifer Lawrence really steps up her game as Katniss. She gets across Katniss' overwhelming situation very well, portraying the difficulty of it for a teenage girl in her position, deals very well with several close-up shots and provides a great deal of humour in certain scenes with some fantastic facial expressions. Of course, no cast can make a film alone, so it's fortunate that the other aspects of Catching Fire are so well done. Gone is Gary Ross' (poor) choice of hand-held cameras (you can actually see what's going on in the Cornucopia bloodbath now) and in come some truly breath-taking scenery. The panoramic and aerial shots of the Capitol, the Arena and the forest outside District 12 are wonderful to behold and give the spectator a much better sense of the world in which this film takes place. The Arena itself looks fantastic and the locations and sets used are realistic and visually very appealing. The effects are stunning with most of the Arena threats being made truly terrifying and the rest of the effects adding a whole new level of realism and grandiose to the film. Finally, the soundtrack and sound effects fit in perfectly, with the music and sound fitting perfectly into every situation, building tension, heightening danger, or adding to emotion where appropriate.
To sum up, Catching Fire is a phenomenal achievement that both eclipses and builds upon the relative success of its predecessor. Whilst the film is not perfect (hence only 9 stars), so few are, and the failings of this film are generally very small and certainly overshadowed by its power and ability to thrill, excite and stun its audience. Catching Fire has really set the bar for the next instalments in the franchise, but there's no need to worry about that just now. All you need to do is shut down whatever you're reading this on, head to the nearest cinema, purchase a ticket for Catching Fire and be blown away.

Ed