Hungry for more

Rating: 6/10 (16 August 2014)

As I only watched the original "Hunger Games" as part of a child-minding mission for my now 12 year-old niece, it figured that the only way I was going to willingly watch the sequel was when co-opted to "baby-sit" for her again. Hey, it's quite a long film so it keeps young Erin occupied for a crucial 2 and a half hours, but whisper it, like before, it's quite an enjoyable film.
I don't know if its army of teenage followers completely get the allusions to the perils of totalitarianism, manipulation of media and the corruption of power, but Erin sort of did which has to be a good thing. Like many, I wondered how they could get Catniss and Peeta back into the arena after the conclusion to the last film, but this was skilfully done. Their disillusion with their new-found celebrity and its corruption by the powers that be naturally lead our feisty duo to rebellion and while there is the expected lengthy action inset where they bloodily battle royal with the previous champions, there's a good twist at the end setting up the next chapter which I'm sure won't be long in arriving.
Yet again, the young actors in the lead roles acquit themselves very well indeed, particularly Jennifer Lawrence as Catniss. Athletic as she is, she is equally well capable of displaying the wide range of emotions her part requires of her. The senior support at her back add gravity and credibility to proceedings, the veteran (if that's the right word) triumvirate of the menacing Donald Sutherland, scheming (late) Philip Seymour-Hoffman and supportive Woody Harrelson all committing to their roles.
Who knows, maybe I'll catch the next chapter without the excuse of my niece's presence, although on second thoughts it's better with her even to explain the complexities of the plot, character motivations and of course to anticipate particularly exciting or gory scenes before they occur.