Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, is the second installment of The Hunger Games Franchise based on the novels written by Catherine Collins. The film, much like it's predecessor stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Luke Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks, whilst welcoming Sam Claflin and Philip Seymour Hoffman as new characters. The film picks up soon after the end of The Hunger Games, Katniss is preparing to go on the victory tour with Peta. President Snow visits her and asks her to quell the rebellion, his plan fails. The 75th anual Hunger Games are known as the quarter quell, and the tributes are selected from among the remaining victors, meaning that Katniss will have to enter the arena again.

Catching Fire features a talented cast, the standard of acting seen here is significantly superior to the kind seen in Twilight or even Harry Potter, the actors have real gravitas, and the film utilizes them effectively. Really, it is in this film that Jennifer Lawrences shines, Lawrence deftly creates a character who is realistic, relatable, wise and her performance in this film almost represents a phoenix rising from the ashes, Lawrence uses a subtlety that is rarely seen among actors so young, and she sells the films love triangle as not being Twilight style moping, but a real personal struggle. With her performance in this film, Lawrence earns her title as the girl on fire.

The film continues the previous films themes of oppression, rebellion, revolution and political propaganda, Katniss becomes a symbol of the rebellion, she becomes the mocking-jay in this movie, putting Snow in a vulnerable position, to kill her would anger the districts, but alive she is far to powerful, what Snow fails to understand is that the mocking-jay is a symbol, and that killing Katniss will not be enough, because as V said, symbols are invincible. The film gives use just enough action for us to be contented, whilst not placing too much emphasis on the Arena, which would make this film a copy of it's predecessor, Catchig Fire contains about an hour of arena action, which feels like enough, and is perfectly satisfying.

The film uses a large amount of IMAX photography, notably the whole arena sewuence was filmed on IMAX, and the film expands as Katniss is ascending the tube, going into the arena, creating an effect similar to Dorothy walking into a tehnicolor Oz, or Tron becoming 3D as we enter The Grid, the IMAX is beautiful, and although i did not actually see this in an IMAX theater, the difference is noticeable. Whereas most films use IMAX for individual shots or for individual scenes, this may be the first time that IMAX has been used for such a lengthy and complex sequence, and the gamble pays of, IMAX adds a lifelines and an immersion that 3D never could, and the effect, even when seen in a regular cinema, is still pretty stunning.

The film is much darker and more violent than it's predecessor, despite the reduced time spent in the arena meaning that there is less fighting, the film is still brooding, and moody. Director Francis Lawrence successfully captures a world in turmoil, a government corrupted and uses this to dramatic effect, with some scenes even bringing me to tears. The film is well paced, and even though it is a full hour and a half before we even see the arena, it feels like half that, and the drama without the action is gripping enough to warrant our attention, that said the action scenes are fantastically filmed and thought out, never becoming too confusing of over-edited. Despite being a beautiful film, and it is possible that this was only apparrent at the screening that i attended, but the film is a little dark at times, the whole first half of the movie feels a bit murky, and i strained my eyes trying to see what was going on.

Overall, Catching Fire is well plotted, well acted and well directed, the costumes and sets look fantastic, and the action is surprisingly well thought out, i found myself not wanting this film to end, and resenting the fact that i have to wait a full year for the next installment, Mockingjay. Rating: B

Haymitch Abernathy: Remember who the real enemy is.

May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor

Well, i realized recently that i hadn't reviewed this film, and seeing as we are on the cusp of the release of the second movie in the Hunger Games Saga, aka the movie for people too smart to watch or read Twilight. I will disclaim that i have never read the books, and will thus not be critiquing the manner in which this book was adapted to the screen, or the differences between this film and the source material. The film takes place in the distant future in the former United States, now known as Panem, in a world where children are chosen to fight to the death in a reality show known as The Huger Games.

The film stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, a tribute from the twelfth district. Now i am a huge fan of Jennifer Lawrence, and she really shows her versatility in this film, the whole film is about Katniss, and Lawrence has to be reserved and at the same time likeable, we have to understand her actions and she has to be heroic whilst also being believable as a character. Lawrence does a fantastic job and her acting is understated, subtle and captivating, and we never once loose faith in our heroine.

The film uses a handheld camera technique, which reminds us firstly that the film is entirely from Katniss' point of view, it also allows the viewer to become a part of the film, and makes it feel as if we are really there, without resorting to 3D. The handheld camerawork is really well done, and there is no unnecessary shaking of the camera, and i never felt a need to scream at the cameraman!

The film actually contains some strong political themes, these themes will, i imagine, be continued in later films. The main theme is that of revolution and uprising, President Snow realizes Katniss' potential as a revolutionary figure, and the potential she has to unite the citizens of Panem, this is shown when the citizens of the 11th district swear allegiance to her. The film is also a discussion about reality television, and is a bloody satire of the dog-eat-dog culture we live in, which constantly pits people against one another.

What i also like about this film, and this series in general is that it isn't directed in 3D. Studio imposed 3D inhibits directors hugely, and the film would be unable to use the quantity of handheld footage shown here, if the film was in 3D, instead the filmmakers have opted to use IMAX, a high definition format, defining the series as having a true director, rather than having their artistic vision dictated by a studio.

I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, and by this series in general, it is surprisingly more intelligent than most teen sagas, and raises some important political points about revolution and race. Spearheaded by Jennifer Lawrence supported by a strong cast and good cinematography, The Hunger Games is the most exciting new series right now, and i await the sequel with much anticipation. Rating: B