Review: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Released: 21^st November

Certificate: 12A

Director: Francis Lawrence

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Stanley Tucci

In 2012 The Hunger Games saw protagonist Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) survive a brutal, Battle Royale-style fight to the death in the fictional world of Panem’s eponymous reality TV competition. Having outsmarted the totalitarian games makers to become joint victors, Catching Fire joins Katniss and fellow district 12 resident Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) as they prepare to visit the other 11 districts on their victory tour.

Slick, dramatic, and with more than a little backbone behind the usual blockbuster trappings, Catching Fire is one of a rare breed: a sequel that surpasses its predecessor. The Hunger Games struggled with a slightly clunky script and- as a reader of the books, I felt –an over-sanitised Capitol and disappointing failure to engage with the socioeconomic themes of the novel. However, Catching Fire boasts a snappy screenplay which delves boldly into the political trappings of Panem. As rumblings of revolution begin to swell in the poorer districts Katniss is adopted as something of a symbol of hope for the downtrodden, much to the chagrin of the Machiavellian President Snow (Donald Sutherland). An early scene in which Snow pays Katniss and her family a visit oozes dramatic tension, which is only built upon as Katniss and Peeta embark on their tour, forced to smile for the cameras while the police shoot rebellious citizens in the head.

Unfortunately, such is the strength of the political subplot that it effectively outshines what is ostensibly touted as the main event- Katniss and Peeta’s return to the arena in the 75^th Hunger Games, where they are pitted against other previous victors. However, a strong supporting cast (most notably Jenna Malone as district 7 tribute Johanna Mason) and well-directed set pieces prevent the action from simply being a rehash of the last film. Katniss continues to be a fascinating heroine- she’s brave, undoubtedly, but realistically traumatised by the horrors she’s witnessed, and is refreshingly frustrated by the romantic demands of her would-be suitors Peeta and Gale (Liam Hemsworth), preferring instead to focus on the task at hand. Lawrence handles Katniss’ emotional range effectively, and explores the hyper-reality of her reactions to turbulent circumstances in a way that is a joy to watch.

Verdict: 4/5

Quote: ‘You can’t put everybody in here!’

A.E.S