If you’ve read The Hunger Games trilogy, then you’re probably already well-aware of the powerful impact of the story. It’s more than just a love story. It’s more than an action-filled drama. There is a lot of depth to the plot, as well as many individual characters many of us fans come to know.
If you haven’t read these books, you’ll come to realize much of the same thing through the film(s). Coming from a book and film lover’s point-of-view, it’s always so difficult transitioning the two and it’s understandable. Through the years, I’ve come to accept this and learn how to just enjoy movies and books as separate forms of entertainment. But I still admit to finding myself comparing much-loved books-to-film adaptations on occasion, and The Hunger Games set has been one of those because it’s been handled just that good.
My favorite thing about The Hunger Games movie franchise is the casting. I haven’t had any complaints since the beginning, loving every cast member in their roles because they were fit for them from the start in my honest opinion. I know I certainly saw fan complaints at the start with the first film, and a lot of it dissipated afterward. I just didn’t feel any distaste toward the cast though when they were announced. And I especially loved Woody being announced as Haymitch, and Lenny as Cinna--which was funny because at the time I felt like the only one to rejoice at the news of those two guys (even though everyone loves them now, hehe).
Obviously, if you’re reading this review of Catching Fire, then you’re either interested in seeing it because you’ve seen the first, have read the books, or have already seen the first film. I’ll still try to stay clear of the spoilers because I don’t like to put spoilers in any review I write, but I can’t guarantee a completely spoiler-free review when it comes to movies, especially sequels. I’m warning you now anyway.
Catching Fire takes off right where the first finished at, with Katniss back in District 12. She is back with her family, in a new and improved house because hey, she’s a Victor now and had to move into the special Victor’s Village section of the district. She’s living there with her mom and Prim, Haymitch and Peeta across the way in another home. It’s not a bad set-up really for them, compared to what they used to live in at least. Admittedly, the film starts a bit slow with a build-up of an emotional hold for the audience to remember what the past for Katniss. She is quiet. She’s having nightmares and flashbacks. There’s an obvious tension to her, and soon it’s revealed that she can barely hunt without fear swallowing her.
Gale and Katniss have built their friendship back up and more since her return too. And with it, her and Peeta seem to have lost theirs. After a threatening visit from President Snow, Katniss has to make the decision to bring back that “love story” the citizens loved so much, and at the start of the tour the viewing audiences can almost sense the chore-like feelings both of the characters have. It’s not until during the tour and the riots when they cling to each other, and the bond becomes more than just a chore or an act, but actually about them building their genuine friendship again. There are little moments throughout when the characters are supposed to feel conflicted, and as a viewer/reader, I felt it translated extremely well onto the screen from Lawrence and Hutcherson.
And I’ll be honest since I don’t remember (it’s been so long from reading the books), portraying Effie’s character that way was stunning. I don’t recall a lot of her sympathy--only her eccentric personality--but I’m glad we get to see so much more of it here because I’d been wondering how she felt about it personally. Obviously I need to re-read my books after having not picked them up in a few years. Haha. :P
I felt it took a little longer this time to get to the training and arena. There just was a lot of detail to put into the movie and I got that. I do wish there’d been a tad more, especially on some of the characters like Finnick and Johanna, but then it’d been even longer I know. The hardest part for me was Cinna. I thought I’d cried a lot in the first installment? I was such a baby in this one even though I knew it was coming. There were several areas I lost it to tears, but that one? I quietly bawled into my popcorn cup.
A lot of fans already know the outcome with the romantic side of things to our characters' lives, but the indication was beginning to form in this installment with a few subtle hints and actions. A viewer that hasn't read the books or heard any spoilers in this area would probably get a clear enough picture by the end of this film either way. Not that it should matter... I never felt like this story had a heavy focus on romance--a light one, yes, but not the main idea.
The filming seemed so much better for this installment also. Not that it was horrible in the first-- it was just really shaky and at times almost too ‘reality-like’. I liked that the camera was steadier and the picture often brighter when needed here. Also, once again, hats off to costume design.
This was such a wonderful film. I look forward to seeing it again and again and again.
And of course, re-reading the books as I wait impatiently for the first part of the Mockingjay film to release. :)
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