- Catching Fire is superior to its predecessor and might also be better than its source material. At the very least, it equals the novel.
- Unlike the original movie, this one is haunting. It doesn’t make the Hunger Games themselves horrific, per se, but it does draw attention to Panem’s inequities and injustice. In so doing, it more faithfully investigates the novels’ themes, which gives it allegorical weight the first movie lacked.
- The film is also true to the book’s characters. Writers Michael Arndt and Simon Beaufoy and Director Francis Lawrence develop Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) well and make us feel her fear and disgust at every turn.
- They also skillfully characterize important side players Johanna Mason (scene stealer Jena Malone), Finnick Odair (Sam Clafin), Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields), President Snow (Donald Sutherland), and Plutarch Heavensbee (Phillip Seymour Hoffman).
- The only character on whom Arndt, Beaufoy and Lawrence stumble is an important one: Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). While they capture Peeta’s devotion and loyalty to Katniss, they only hint at his emotional response to the Capital’s manipulation and underhanded tactics. Peeta is the most important character to Katniss, which means he should be the script’s second most significant. Instead, he often fades into the background.
- It is a minor flaw, however, because it doesn’t limit the film’s effectiveness. Ditto that for the fact that Catching Fire ends without plot resolution.
- Why? Because this picture is about Katniss and how she . . . well . . . catches fire. From beginning to end (especially in the final shot), Lawrence, the director, focuses on Katniss’ path, and he resolves it, even if he doesn’t find a great plot-break.
- The director’s cast, every member of it, helps him. A lot. None more so than his star. Jennifer Lawrence’s performance is special. Very. She carries Catching Fire and channels emotion in almost every scene. We know her character, largely because of how well Lawrence fades into her, so much so that we forget we’re watching a reigning Oscar winner.
- Jena Malone’s performance is equally remarkable. As a teenager, Malone seemed destined for stardom, but it has eluded her thus far, for whatever reason. Perhaps this performance will garner the recognition she deserves. In limited screen time, Malone is striking.
- Yet, Catching Fire is not without some additional flaws. The nighttime scenes are a bit underlit, perhaps, and the director uses a few too many close ups. Furthermore, the pacing lags a touch in the middle and the writers all but omit mention of District 13, which eventually proves problematic.
- But the flaws are minor and the strengths (including its amazing costumes and the way it never feels repetitive of the first movie) are prevalent. This is an excellent film.
- Final Grade: B+
I’m seeing this one tomorrow and I can’t wait!
I suspect you will think it worth your time.
I’m hearing good things and this is getting me very excited! Can’t wait to check this one out. Great review!
Thank you. I suspect you’ll like it. It is really good.
Ah, the good response really has me looking forward to this!
I have a feeling you’re going to like it. It’s very good.
Yippeeeeee! π
Good review. First one is still a bit better in my mind, but nonetheless, I still look forward to what’s next with this story, and for these characters that I actually care a lot about.
I saw you say the same in your review last night. And it’s a fair opinion.
I side with Catching Fire. Why? I think the first suffers from an important contradiction. It decries the western world’s violent culture, but loses the book’s haunting, horrific tone. Which means it screams about violence, at the same time it glorifies it. The movie was still good, mind you, but this contradiction limits, in my opinion, its thematic power.
This one, I think, avoids that contradiction. The games themselves might not haunt us, but the movie as a whole certainly does.
Don’t tell anyone but I liked the first one and want to see the second…. SHHHHHHH
Consider me SHHHHHing.
I liked the first, too. π
Looking forward to this one. I thought the first was pretty decent and, well, I don’t think I need an excuse to look at Jennifer Lawrence for a couple of hours π
I don’t think anyone does. π
I liked the first, as well. There’s a lot it did well, and the changes it made to the novel served it (except, perhaps, for the silly reaction shots of Gale). Other than shaky cam, it’s biggest issue was it didn’t feel haunting. It felt fun.
This one doesn’t suffer from those issues, has the first’s merits, and finds new strengths all its own. It is near fantastic and is certainly very, very good.
Hi James! The trailer looks quite dark and like you said, haunting. Glad the film lives up to that and it doesn’t shy away from the dark themes. VERY excited to see this next week!
As well you should be. π
Good review! I really liked this one. The first book was my favorite of the novels, but Catching Fire is my favorite of the two movies so far.
Completely agreed on both points.
I think I’ve said it before on this page, but the first novel is one of my favorite books ever. It’s in my Top Ten. Might be in my Top Five.
And I’ve read a whole lot of novels. π
The first Hunger Games novel is one of my favorite books too. It’s a great, thought-provoking work of fiction.
This is a great film and itβs nice to see that you and virtually the rest of the world has come to the same conclusion.
Amen.
And thanks.
Good Review π
It was a great film, really liked it a lot. Thought it was a fantastic improvement over the first, and I cannot wait for the next one, especially after that ending π
Completely agreed.
Like I said, I think this one might actually be better than the novel. That doesn’t happen all that frequently.
That’s definitely a rarity π
very valid points. I especially like how you highlighted Jenna Malone. I remember her in Into the Wild and it’s great to see her in a high profile film.
Thanks you.
Back in the early 2000s, she was the “it” girl in indie films looking for a young actor to play troubled teens (Donnie Darko – 2001; Life as a House – 2001; Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys – 2002; etc) and she was fantastic in every role. Since then, she’s sort of faded from prominence, from some reason or another.
Though her turn The Hatfields and McCoys (2012) was pretty exceptional. So was, as you say, Into the Wild. I’m hoping she becomes a more used character actor again. I was a fan when she was a teenager and I’m still one.
And what happened to the movie’s director?!
Good question. I can only imagine he decided to step back from film. Tom Cruise proves that crazy off screen needn’t kill prominence on (or in Penn’s case behind) it.
Course, I don’t really know either. π
Excellent review bud.
“Unlike the original movie, this one is haunting. It doesnβt make the Hunger Games themselves horrific, per se, but it does draw attention to Panemβs inequities and injustice.” – very well said. That’s pretty much exactly my sentiment about this, and how this was a huge improvement upon the first (which is a feat in itself since sequels tend to struggle)
They sure do. Especially sequels to movies that were already pretty good.