A fantastic sequel to a franchise that is indeed catching fire.

Rating: 9/10 (28 November 2013)

To start, i was a fan of the Hunger Games despite it's poorly directed and edited overall result; the characters being established and somewhat molded, the games being somewhat violent (if you could keep up with director Senor Shaky Cam's attempt at PG-13 violence) yet well paced, and it's overall well set yet un-established tone.
That being said, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a much different animal altogether, with director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) helming the project, it's clear that the course of the movie took a darker, more mature direction. The pacing is amazing overall; each character within the cast, even within the other victors', has somewhat of an overall impact within the story and the main cast has some fantastic moments.
SOME MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD
When the movie begins, you can tell within the first 30 minutes that Lawrence knows exactly where he wants this film to go and how he wants it done. The Peacekeepers establish an almost Holocaust-Esq ghetto within district 12, violence and punishment being the key components to beating down a potential rebellion.
The first hour and half features no victor-on-victor deaths, but makes this movie receive the review i give it for it's knowledge of political awareness within it's universe. It's clear that the Capitol has it's own agenda and does not wish to include anyone but themselves with it's undertaking. The special effects rock, and each main allied victor (Beetee, Finnick, Johanna, Mags and Wiress) gives a solid and memorable performance. This film sets hopes for Mockingjay to be one of the best installments within a franchise; the hope riding on everyone's shoulders is that the odds for it will really be in it's favor.