Wednesday, February 03, 2016

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Gist: After defying the games' cardinal rule that there be only one survivor, Katniss and Peeta are now forced to tour the Districts together pretending to be in love like they did in the games. Katniss is also ordered by President Snow to do her part to quell a growing insurgency in her name, and he threatens her family if she disobeys. The tables are turned on her, however, when a Quarter Quell is announced for the 75th edition of the games, forcing Katniss and Peeta back in the arena to fight to the death.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a worthy follow up to the first installment of the trilogy (which greedy Hollywood turned into four movies). I actually enjoyed it more than the first one.

Jennifer Lawrence still shines as Katniss Everdeen, and she and Josh Hutcherson show some real chemistry onscreen. Both are very talented actors.

This episode also introduces us to the late Philip Seymour Hoffman's Plutarch Heavensbee, a character he never finished playing due to his premature death.

Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, and Stanley Tucci reprise their roles, but it's Donald Sutherland who really has the juiciest role.

The Bottom Line: If you're a fan of the franchise or have seen the first movie, you won't be disappointed by the second episode. It's well developed and delivers plenty of intrigue.

Grade: 8

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