Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and
Woody Harrelson.
Suzanne Collins' striking trilogy continues its’ filmic
journey with “Catching Fire”, the second of four films (the finale being split
into two films) being produced for the franchise. Collins' dystopian world of
Panem, where teenagers fight to the death in an annual competition called the
Hunger Games, finds the titular character Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) back in
her poverty stricken district coping with the emotional ramifications of her
victory and the stardom that accompanies it. From the start new director
Francis Lawrence sets the tone by allowing the downtrodden atmosphere direct
attention while mixing in the tension of a nation in upheaval. “Hunger Games:
Catching Fire” is a satisfying, if sometimes muddled, film that captures the
teeming societal tension found in the book and the building transition of the
budding lead character.
Katniss begins the film preparing for the looming victory
tour of the Hunger Games. Things are different for Katniss, the world she knows
has been affected by the survival tactic that allowed her and Peeta (Josh
Hutcherson) to both escape the games together through a romantic ruse. The tour
means leaving her mother and young sister Primrose but also her obscured
relationship with her other suitor Gale (Liam Hemsworth). The twelve districts
the two victors will circuit are in the midst of rebellion and the government
has taken notice, implementing harsh restrictions and violent counteractions
for suppression. Katniss’ defiant actions during the games and on the tour lead
President Snow (Donald Sutherland) to implement a change for the Quarter Quell
(75th Anniversary of the games) in which past winners of the games
are brought back to fight in a battle of champions.
Francis Lawrence accomplishes what the first film attempted
to do, which was crafting the realism of world that was desperate and oppressed.
Eliminating some of the forced hand-held photography techniques and centering
on proper character development helps but allowing focus on the societal
structure of a conflicted world filled with only the privileged and the poor
maintains the hopelessness felt within the people. This aspect is especially
envisioned in the champions returning to battle, their government promises
broken and their lives placed on the line again. While Francis does well to fit
as much source material in the film there are moments where the narrative drags
and some scenes feel like rehashes from the first film, it makes the film feel
somewhat disordered.
Jennifer Lawrence offers a better performance as Katniss,
this time executing the layered undertones of confusion, anger, and confidence
efficiently in the role of a forced hero. Katniss Everdeen is an interesting
character and Francis does well to display that essential aspect in this film.
Her role is one of growth, she is starting to understand what her actions mean
and how they influence the looming uprising seen in the painted defiance of a
mocking jay on a tunnel wall or through a honored salute. The added cast members are
especially good as well, Jeffery Wright and Amanda Plummer portray two
eccentrics who won the games because of intellect, while Jena Malone offers an
interesting attitude that plays well off Katniss’ more reserved influence.
Returning cast are also given more to work with, particularly Elizabeth Banks
who offers a nice balance of prestige and fearful anxiety for her two
champions.
“Catching Fire” is a considerably better film than the one
that introduced the franchise. Director Francis Lawrence has brought a worthy
vision of Suzanne Collins' novel that should satisfy both those familiar and
unfamiliar with the source material.
Monte’s Rating
4.00 out of 5.00
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