Turns up the heat!

Rating: 9/10 (21 November 2013)

Continuing the trend of superior science fiction sequels set by The Empire Strikes Back and Aliens, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire outshines its predecessor in every department. Whilst the first instalment was a solid offering, it had some glaring problems such as the pacing, the performances of some of the younger actors and director Garry Ross' use of shaky cam. Thanks to the introduction of new blood in the form of director Francis Lawrence,these problems have been dealt with and as a result, Catching Fire is a darker, bigger and more exciting film.
The film begins with heroine Katniss Everdeen dealing with post traumatic stress, which has manifested itself since her and fellow tribute Peeta Mallark's victory in the 74th hunger games. Katniss' troubles are compounded by the fact that she is under increasing pressure from the ruthless dictator President Snow,to continue to publicly put on the act of being a star-crossed lover, in order to put an end to the unrest caused by her act of defiance in the previous games.
This situation is further complicated by Katniss' feelings for hunk Gale, creating a classic love triangle. Now you may be forgiven for thinking that the film has all the hallmarks of a clichéd romantic drama for teenage girls. Thankfully the film's surprisingly sophisticated themes prevent this familiar nightmarish scenario from becoming a reality.
The political elements of the film contribute to its darker tone,as the societal implications of living under an authoritarian regime are explored unflinchingly. Public executions, torture and media propaganda are all showcased in surprisingly realistic fashion for a 12A, with the presence of stormtrooper like enforcers, adding to the parallels with Nazi Germany. These themes are building very competently towards a civil war type scenario.
There are some outstanding performances in Catching Fire from both older and younger actors. Once again, Jennifer Lawrence steals the show as one of the most compelling female protagonists of our time, proving that she can handle indie and mainstream expectations. Male lead Josh Hutcherson gives a far more mature performance this time around, with his and Lawrence's performances being complimented greatly by the work of veterans like Donald Sutherland, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Jeffrey Wright. However,the most underrated performance in the film and indeed the franchise,is Woody Harrelson's portrayal of mentor Haymtich. Harrelson brings all the laughs in the film thanks to his impeccable comedic timing, preventing audience members from becoming overwhelmed by the film's darker more serious themes. However, Harrelson's performance shouldn't simply be classed as comic relief, as his portrayal of a fatherly protector to these two young people is also great.
The few problems the film has predominantly stem from its action sequences and special effects. Whilst some effects like the poisonous fog and the explosions were excellent, other effects were lacking slightly. As mentioned previously the action sequences were much better this time around in the absence of shaky cam, however I still felt unable to fully engage with the human combat and found one fight with monkeys, to be utterly ridiculous. The remaining problems Catching Fire has lie in the decision of the director and the writers to not explore certain themes further. This is hardly a significant criticism, but it still would've be interesting to explore Katniss' PTSD further and to have seen more of the media circus, particularly since Stanley Tucci expertly portrays a materialistic talent show host.
Ultimately, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a much bigger, more adult and dramatic film than its solid predecessor. This second instalment has well and truly cemented the franchises place in pop cultural history, with its excellent cliffhanger leaving me ravenous for the next instalment.