The hunger games catching fire review ign

Despite the cliffhanger ending and unanswered questions, Catching Fire explores concepts and themes only lightly touched upon in the original. The original, despite its surprising charm and revelatory performances, contains gaping holes and unavoidable flaws. Staring them down for its 2-hour run-time, we are invited to share in their pain and rebelliousness. With the original ignorantly cramming plot-points and concepts into its exhaustive run-time, Catching Fire smoothens out the rough edges whilst pleasing die-hard fans and average moviegoers alike.

Despite its potential to depress adults and terrify children, Catching Fire reaches for its most eagerly awaited concepts. Viewers pining to see certain characters, plot-strands, and symbols from the labyrinthine novels will be delighted with this instalment.

Their conflict, defined by the two leads ignoring one another, over-acting for the cameras, and building affection, is more important here than in the original. Despite becoming heavy-handed by the second half, the movie touches on relevant issues yielding familiar consequences.

Like Children of Men and V for Vendetta , the movie ably discusses lower class oppression and rebellion. Despite the obvious symbolism and exposition, we are shown graphic details and vital intricacies. As a symbol, Katniss is depicted as a weakened yet focused role model.

From the opening scenes, District 12 is displayed as a mining town choked by poverty. Thankfully, the startling attention to detail and expansive direction bring the elaborate settings, action set-pieces, and costumes to life. This grimy world, creating a stark contrast between the rich and poor citizens, is elevated by the significant production design.

Each district, defined by dirt-covered vistas and cluttered spaces, is chillingly effective. Boosting the debilitating narrative, The Capitol is a remarkable sight. Thankfully, the game itself also elevates this action-adventure. Ruled over by Heavensbee, the dome is fit with such deadly forces as tidal waves, baboons, and poisonous gasses. Here, the jungle setting allows or several creative and intensifying moments.

Like with the original, the narrative is made whole by its cast of wondrous and zany characters. Defined by wacky names and aesthetic choices, each character in Catching Fire has something to prove. Many characters return from the original, with strengths and burdens to bare. Unlike the original, Catching Fire illuminates every beloved character. Here, we are swept up by physical, political, and moral conflicts making for empathetic and definitive characters.

Also, the young lead characters overshadow the supporting players. Katniss is an efficient and fascinating creation. Her unique attributes throw her into each pressing situation. Their antics, defined by cutesy interactions and revelations, emphasise their traumatic behind-the-scenes experiences. Lawrence, launching into the A-list with the original, takes control of every frame.

Hutcherson and Hemsworth bring gravitas to their vital roles. Harrelson, Kravitz, and Banks deliver enlightening performances for our two leads to bounce off of.

Sutherland, Hoffman, and Tucci become interesting antagonists. Thankfully, this much-anticipated sequel lives up to ridiculous expectations whilst eclipsing the original. This series, now preparing for Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2 , is on the right track to continue its baffling success. Jennifer Lawrence was brilliant throughout this movie. Actually all of them, even the extras seemed to convince you the whole Hunger Games world was real.

I have read the series twice and had forgotten bits and pieces of what had happened but the film brought everything to life exactly as I had imagined. I am bookophiliac and for the first time in my life I have no comments whatsoever about the major plot line.

The only details they missed were the things they screwed up in the first movie. I honestly think that nobody could play Katniss like Jennifer Lawrence. And the director, Francis Lawrence, seemed to really understand the books, unlike the previous director, who seemed to miss some key symbolism. Katniss keeps her aim. By Eric Goldman Posted: 12 Nov pm. Katniss Everdeen Jennifer Lawrence has gone through hell and lived to tell the tale and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire quickly gets off on the right foot by firmly establishing just how affected she is by what she went through in the first film.

Yes, Catching Fire becomes the second major franchise movie this year, after Iron Man 3, to have the main character suffering from PTSD — but who could argue with Katniss not being able to just move on, given what happened to her? And all while selling the lie concocted in the Games, that the two are madly in love — something she is directly warned must hold up under scrutiny, by no less than President Snow Donald Sutherland himself. Francis Lawrence proves to be a very solid choice as the new director for the series, maintaining the established tone, while doing away with the shaky cam stylism that put off some viewers.

Was this article informative? Verdict Mockingjay, Part 2 gets solid performances from its impressive cast, but feels too burdened by the gravity of its story. The film focuses on Katniss as a way to depict the horrors and damages those living through a war suffer.

The story plays relatively straightforward, offering up a relatively satisfying conclusion to The Hunger Games that never inspires the same wonder as its more engaging predecessors. Was this article informative? YES NO.

In This Article. The next part in The Hunger Games trilogy. Release Date. The Hunger Games Review. What really comes across here is the innate sadness of this scenario. The Hunger Games' existence is horrible enough on its own for the people of Panem and those forced to compete. Katniss and her fellow victors being forced to compete again though is another level of cruelty and treated with the appropriate weight. Aside from the victory tour, we go on a similar route as the first film did, from District 12 to the Capitol and the training period and then into the Games.

Still, the overall approach and the chacterizations go far to help move beyond the structural echoes. Yes, there is a necessary -- and faithful to the source material -- cliffhanger, as we head towards Mockingjay, but it feels like there could have been one more scene or beat added to give a bit more payoff to this particular piece of the story.

Finnick is a narcissist who has indulged in the fame and fortune being a good looking and charming Hunger Games victor has given him, and yet still someone who also has gone through the same horrific experiences as Katniss and has similar concerns about those he loves.