The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) - Part 1

[Schlosser85]

Uh, there are plenty of people giving their reviews.

 

[DA_Champion]

I went to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire tonight... what an satisfying movie. It's fun, compelling, well-crafted, a logical continuation of the first one, and ... really clever.

To recap, this is the second of the Hunger Games movies, based on a trilogy of "young adult" novels by Suzanne Collins. In some futuristic dystopia called "Panem", there is a capital city of opulence and decadence, and 12 districts of poverty where the people labour. Every year, 2 members of each of the 12 districts compete in an event called the hunger games, where they fight each other in an isolated spot This is a somewhat of an allegory for the olympics (and a lot more), where every 4 years people from all over the world watched a manufactured spectacle which keeps them happy, and indeed politicians often deliver major announcements during the olympics to avoid political backlash. Note that what Suzanne Collins captures in her novels is in fact an allegory for the oldest political strategy: "bread and circuses".

In the first movie, Katniss Everdeen (from District 12), who is played by my lady-prospect Jennifer Lawrence, managed to survive the hunger games due to a combination of luck, athleticism, charisma, and cleverness. The second movie deals with the consequences of the first -- Katniss won the games in the first movie in a manner that captured the public's attention, and that attention is frustrating the authorities. They want to destroy her image, which eventually leads to her participating in the hunger games a second time.

That's the first thing this movie does well: it's a sequel which is based on the consequences of the events of the first movie, and those are almost always the best kinds of sequels (e.g. Godfather II, The Dark Knight). The second thing it does well is that the budget was doubled, which I think went to better sets and cinematography... this movie looks a lot better than the first. I thought the first one looked nice, mind you, but this second one just looks better. The third, is through the writing. I have not read the books, but I'm sure it must have been incredibly difficult to decide what to include and what not to include. For this task, Hollywood brought out the big guns, great screenwriters: oscar winners Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty, Slumdog Millionaire) and Michael Ardnt (Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine). The fact these two brilliant writers were hired shows that Hollywood takes the franchise seriously, an unusual situation for one with a female protagonist. The hiring does pay off in better writing: there are a huge number of characters to cover in this movie, which is necessary for the story to work, and several of them are successfully given humanity.

Spoiler

They're not just there. I was really moved when Peeta gave Katniss his necklace, and opened it up. By the way, that scene doesn't work because "it's sweet" or because it contains a boyfriend, mother, and sister... it works because all of the characters involved and their relationships are developed. We've seen the Primrose-Katniss relationship, we've felt and seen them evolve, and thus we care to see her in a necklace. We also know that it must be incredibly painful, and simultaneously kind, of Peeta to acknowledge in a warm manner that Gale is in fact the one Katniss loves. That is powerful here... and would be emotionally flat if the Peeta-Katniss-Gale love triangle had not been developed.

But thinking about it: Katniss, Gale, Peeta, Haymitch, Effie, Cinna, Primrose, Finnick, and a few others... that's a hell of a lot of characters with effective personalities. I didn't realise it, but in hindsight Effie in the first movie was a caricature... she wasn't one this time. Of interest, there is a scientifically competent character in the movie, Beetee played by Jeffrey Wright, who is not a steve urkel caricature. He builds a reasonable and effective device, which moves the story forward, and as plausible social skills and exists for purposes beyond comic relief.

Marvel cinema and other Hollywood hacks should take note.

Spoiler

But really, what I enjoyed most about HG:CF I think, and this goes back to Suzanne Collins... is that it's so damn clever. There are several times where a favoured character is in a bind of some sort, and the way the situation is resolved is frequently clever. When Gale is about to get killed, Katniss stands in front of him, and this is where a lot of writers would stop. But then.. Haymitch and Peeta also get in the way, and talk, and it's a speech that only Haymitch could give given how they have developed the characters, and then the situation is resolved. Peeta's speech to district 11 was really well thought out. I liked the construction of the arena, and how it was far scarier than the first one, and how the characters figured out how it worked. I liked the dress Katniss wore, I thought that was a good trick and I got a high from it, the way she went from a wedding dress to a mocking jay dress. I then thought it was over, I had my cleverness high, and ... Peeta tops that by mentioning a baby: "boom!"

And ... I loved how Katniss came out of the arena alive. I was wondering the entire time how she was going to survive (given that she had to survive), and if her method as survival was going to be as clever as it was in the first movie or just a run-of-the-mill deus ex machina. I'm happy to say that ... her means of survival was as clever as in the first story. She connects some wire to an arrow with a tree, right before lightning hits, to destroy a force field over the dome. This is just... such perfect writing. First of all it's developed throughout the movie, as she learns where the force field comes from and why it's there and how it behaves, and the way she learns of it is organic, not forced. Her manner of hitting ties several plot elements and makes it relevant. Finally, it's a potent metaphor. She defeats the hunger games by firing the authority's own poison (the lightning) right back at them, and using their own defences against them. The only reason she can escape is exactly because they had set up that force field.

There are a few flaws in the movie, which I forgive because the product is really good.
- Each of the 12 districts has 2 past winners, but we were told in the previous movie that districts 1 and 2 almost always win;
- One thing I liked about the first movie is that they never told us that the capital city was decadent, they only showed it. I was a bit let down when Katniss was told at the party that yeah, the party is wasteful. I didn't think that exposition-by-dialogue was necessary;
- The water wipes away the poison from the gas? what?;
- I don't like cliffhanger endings;

These are very minor complaints though. Overall, this was a fun movie, a well-crafted movie, with good characters, good world-building, and actual themes. Go see it. See the first one first though if you have not yet.

My grade: A-

Ongoing 2013 movie ranking list:

1) Rush
2) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2) Gravity
-- steep dropoff --
4) Oblivion
5) Man of Steel
6) Pacific Rim
7) Elysium
8 ) Riddick
-- another steep drop off --
9 ) Star Trek into Darkness
10) Thor 2: The Dark World

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%, 199 reviews
IMDB, 8.4/10
Writers: Simon Beaufoy, Michael Ardnt, Suzanne Collins
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth

 

[Samarus]

I liked this a little bit more than the first movie. No shakycam, more revolution. The only thing i liked less were the actual Hunger Games.
My biggest problem with the movies so far is the love triangle. I don't really feel the relationship between Gale and Katness, which is a big problem for me. Imo they just could've cut Gale out of both movies and there would be no loss of quality.
Overall it's 7/10 for me.
BTW. Why can't I vote on this poll?

 

[jmc]

Uh, there are plenty of people giving their reviews.

But no-ones is discussing it.

 

[DA_Champion]

The guy played District 1 male was Aquaman on Smallville

Yeah it was good to see that guy again !

 

[DA_Champion]

This movie was a lot better than the first movie in terms of story and emotion. The action was subpar and imo kind of sloppy like it was just an after thought.
I agree with one poster one of my favorite scenes was Johnna(sp) during the interview before the quell, she was awesome and funny, plus the part where she got undressed in the elevator
I also really enjoyed the emotion of the first speech in District 11? where Thrash and Rue was from, very awesomely done.

I very much liked this movie, but I don't know why people are saying "it's better than the first", I liked the first and they were good in different ways.

I totally agree on Johnna and the speech to District 11. I found that really moving, I also thought it was a very effective means of exposition, and of reminding the audience of the events of the first film, without being too overt.

It's not apple to oranges at all. Of course you don't need to have tons of violence to convey the themes, the issue is those themes don't hit as hard when the visuals are watered down. It's not as powerful a theme when you're cutting away or playing down the violence.

I have not read the books, so I watched the death scenes without any inkling of "what they should be". I think the meaning came off as very well... the meaning is entirely in Katniss' mind, she is sad to see them die.

I didnt want it to end. My friend was seriously balling her eyes out and using my arm as a stress ball.

I didn't want the movie to end, I would have liked it to be 30 minutes longer.

Has nobody watched this movie on the Hype? This thread is surprisingly inactive.

Many of the people who post on hype are not movie fans, they are comic book movie fans, you shouldn't be surprised.

I do think though that the discussions here would be at a higher level if people watched more movies that are not comic book movies. The first two hunger games movies really reinforce the point, in my view, of how mediocre many comic book movies have been.

The way Katniss ends the Hunger Games in this movie... is so damn clever. I'm still thinking about it now, Suzanne Collins had a really good idea. How often do we see a climax-resolution like this in comic book movies? Not often.

 

[DA_Champion]

But no-ones is discussing it.

If you post the link to your review I'll try and discuss it in the next couple days -- it's not in these four pages, unless I skimmed over it.

 

[DA_Champion]

spoilers


I'm surprised more people aren't disappointed with the ending. Having read the books I figured it would be somewhat controversial. Not just for the obvious reasons(see matrix/pirates..etc) but for the fact that they copped out of a games winner.

Spoiler

I don't think that's a cop out. They had two winners in the first one, that's a story they already told. Now they need to tell a different story, and they did. It also allows a progression of Katniss' character. In the first movie she more or less followed the rules, and indeed her final victory emerged because they changed the rules. In the second movie, she sidesteps the rules, she breaks the arena.

 

[nightwing06]

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is far more entertaining and involving than the first film The Hunger Games
The extremely talented Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss Everdeen,shaken and haunted by memories and losses
in the games,she ,her family ,and district are still threatened by President Coriolanus Snow(Donald Sutherland,unflinchingly sinister)
She is forced to keep up the ruse of having a loving relationship with her co gamer Peeta Mellark(Josh Hutcherson ) who carries
his own emotional baggage from the games,and forced to go on a promotional victory tour,which further stirs up rebellious unrest
in the districts.

Lawrence effortlessly goes from loving woman,to fierce hunter and protector.The returning cast Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy,Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket,Lenny Kravitz as Cinna continue to play their parts to a T
The film gets a boost from some great additions that include :Philip Seymour Hoffman ,Jeffrey Wright ,Sam Claflin ,Jena Malone
and Amanda Plummer.

When the kill or be killed games begin again ,the scenes are brilliaintly paced and it is true edge of your seat entertainment.
The screenplay does suffer from some extremely convenient moments,but i cant deny as the film closes i wished that The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
was hitting theatres a bit sooner.

Scale of 1-10 an 8½

 

[Saitou Hajime]

$161 million for the weekend in the US and $334 globally.

Rth from the BoxOffice forums says Sunday looks like 32-33 million, so that weekend figure shrunk quite a bit.

 

[Iceman]

Still looking very good domestic and much better abroad than 1st time out.

 

[Bim]

Watched this one yesterday, 8/10 rating from me. I enjoyed it. It kept me intrigued and entertained (i havent read the books).

I wonder though, is the ending of the film like the books? it felt a bit abrupt to me. I went "what? it's over like that!?" lol

 

[terry78]

Go find the final page of the book online or in a store, you'll see.

 

[danoyse]

Watched this one yesterday, 8/10 rating from me. I enjoyed it. It kept me intrigued and entertained (i havent read the books).

I wonder though, is the ending of the film like the books? it felt a bit abrupt to me. I went "what? it's over like that!?" lol

Yup. Last line of the book was, [BLACKOUT]"There is no District 12."[/BLACKOUT]

I was so glad that the third book was already out when I read it...I couldn't believe that was the ending.

I'm also glad they left it that way in the movie. I was afraid they would tack on an extra scene or something, which would have taken away from the original gut punch the book's ending was.

 

[SuperJediHero]

I liked this a little bit more than the first movie. No shakycam, more revolution. The only thing i liked less were the actual Hunger Games.
My biggest problem with the movies so far is the love triangle. I don't really feel the relationship between Gale and Katness, which is a big problem for me. Imo they just could've cut Gale out of both movies and there would be no loss of quality.
Overall it's 7/10 for me.
BTW. Why can't I vote on this poll?

Dude they are lovers/friends from childhood, I don't see how it doesn't make sense. Gale knew Katniss way more than Peeta, when she first met him.

 

[SuperJediHero]

I went to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire tonight... what an satisfying movie. It's fun, compelling, well-crafted, a logical continuation of the first one, and ... really clever.

To recap, this is the second of the Hunger Games movies, based on a trilogy of "young adult" novels by Suzanne Collins. In some futuristic dystopia called "Panem", there is a capital city of opulence and decadence, and 12 districts of poverty where the people labour. Every year, 2 members of each of the 12 districts compete in an event called the hunger games, where they fight each other in an isolated spot This is a somewhat of an allegory for the olympics (and a lot more), where every 4 years people from all over the world watched a manufactured spectacle which keeps them happy, and indeed politicians often deliver major announcements during the olympics to avoid political backlash. Note that what Suzanne Collins captures in her novels is in fact an allegory for the oldest political strategy: "bread and circuses".

In the first movie, Katniss Everdeen (from District 12), who is played by my lady-prospect Jennifer Lawrence, managed to survive the hunger games due to a combination of luck, athleticism, charisma, and cleverness. The second movie deals with the consequences of the first -- Katniss won the games in the first movie in a manner that captured the public's attention, and that attention is frustrating the authorities. They want to destroy her image, which eventually leads to her participating in the hunger games a second time.

That's the first thing this movie does well: it's a sequel which is based on the consequences of the events of the first movie, and those are almost always the best kinds of sequels (e.g. Godfather II, The Dark Knight). The second thing it does well is that the budget was doubled, which I think went to better sets and cinematography... this movie looks a lot better than the first. I thought the first one looked nice, mind you, but this second one just looks better. The third, is through the writing. I have not read the books, but I'm sure it must have been incredibly difficult to decide what to include and what not to include. For this task, Hollywood brought out the big guns, great screenwriters: oscar winners Simon Beaufoy (The Full Monty, Slumdog Millionaire) and Michael Ardnt (Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine). The fact these two brilliant writers were hired shows that Hollywood takes the franchise seriously, an unusual situation for one with a female protagonist. The hiring does pay off in better writing: there are a huge number of characters to cover in this movie, which is necessary for the story to work, and several of them are successfully given humanity.

Spoiler

They're not just there. I was really moved when Peeta gave Katniss his necklace, and opened it up. By the way, that scene doesn't work because "it's sweet" or because it contains a boyfriend, mother, and sister... it works because all of the characters involved and their relationships are developed. We've seen the Primrose-Katniss relationship, we've felt and seen them evolve, and thus we care to see her in a necklace. We also know that it must be incredibly painful, and simultaneously kind, of Peeta to acknowledge in a warm manner that Gale is in fact the one Katniss loves. That is powerful here... and would be emotionally flat if the Peeta-Katniss-Gale love triangle had not been developed.

But thinking about it: Katniss, Gale, Peeta, Haymitch, Effie, Cinna, Primrose, Finnick, and a few others... that's a hell of a lot of characters with effective personalities. I didn't realise it, but in hindsight Effie in the first movie was a caricature... she wasn't one this time. Of interest, there is a scientifically competent character in the movie, Beetee played by Jeffrey Wright, who is not a steve urkel caricature. He builds a reasonable and effective device, which moves the story forward, and as plausible social skills and exists for purposes beyond comic relief.

Marvel cinema and other Hollywood hacks should take note.

Spoiler

But really, what I enjoyed most about HG:CF I think, and this goes back to Suzanne Collins... is that it's so damn clever. There are several times where a favoured character is in a bind of some sort, and the way the situation is resolved is frequently clever. When Gale is about to get killed, Katniss stands in front of him, and this is where a lot of writers would stop. But then.. Haymitch and Peeta also get in the way, and talk, and it's a speech that only Haymitch could give given how they have developed the characters, and then the situation is resolved. Peeta's speech to district 11 was really well thought out. I liked the construction of the arena, and how it was far scarier than the first one, and how the characters figured out how it worked. I liked the dress Katniss wore, I thought that was a good trick and I got a high from it, the way she went from a wedding dress to a mocking jay dress. I then thought it was over, I had my cleverness high, and ... Peeta tops that by mentioning a baby: "boom!"

And ... I loved how Katniss came out of the arena alive. I was wondering the entire time how she was going to survive (given that she had to survive), and if her method as survival was going to be as clever as it was in the first movie or just a run-of-the-mill deus ex machina. I'm happy to say that ... her means of survival was as clever as in the first story. She connects some wire to an arrow with a tree, right before lightning hits, to destroy a force field over the dome. This is just... such perfect writing. First of all it's developed throughout the movie, as she learns where the force field comes from and why it's there and how it behaves, and the way she learns of it is organic, not forced. Her manner of hitting ties several plot elements and makes it relevant. Finally, it's a potent metaphor. She defeats the hunger games by firing the authority's own poison (the lightning) right back at them, and using their own defences against them. The only reason she can escape is exactly because they had set up that force field.

There are a few flaws in the movie, which I forgive because the product is really good.
- Each of the 12 districts has 2 past winners, but we were told in the previous movie that districts 1 and 2 almost always win;
- One thing I liked about the first movie is that they never told us that the capital city was decadent, they only showed it. I was a bit let down when Katniss was told at the party that yeah, the party is wasteful. I didn't think that exposition-by-dialogue was necessary;
- The water wipes away the poison from the gas? what?;
- I don't like cliffhanger endings;

These are very minor complaints though. Overall, this was a fun movie, a well-crafted movie, with good characters, good world-building, and actual themes. Go see it. See the first one first though if you have not yet.

My grade: A-

Ongoing 2013 movie ranking list:

1) Rush
2) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2) Gravity
-- steep dropoff --
4) Oblivion
5) Man of Steel
6) Pacific Rim
7) Elysium
8 ) Riddick
-- another steep drop off --
9 ) Star Trek into Darkness
10) Thor 2: The Dark World

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%, 199 reviews
IMDB, 8.4/10
Writers: Simon Beaufoy, Michael Ardnt, Suzanne Collins
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth

Love this review!

 

[DarthSkywalker]

So apparently Jennifer Lawrence can act...

This movie kicked my ass. So good. This is simply how you do a real blockbuster. It makes you laugh, it makes you uncomfortable, it makes you care. You know a movie is good when you watch it and get right back in line. Kept the strong character work and story from the first film, and kicked it up a notch. The increase in budget could be felt. The cinematography is fantastic. The scene with all the tributes on stage literally made me go "awww". So well done.

The opening is slightly week as it feels like we are catching up and learning info that doesn't feel like it quite matches up with the end of the first film, but it still worked. It suffers from a bit of "lost in time" editing, but it doesn't matter in the end.

The moving is so intense and it is straight down to the acting. They all make you feel it. Every moment, every second, they make you feel it. Katniss' desperation, Joanna's anger, Finnick's sorrow, Haymitch's "patience", etc.

When Haymitch and Katniss embrace, you really feel something. You know he cares and you never question it for one second.

 

[flickchick85]

Just got back, and I thought this was excellent. Leaps and bounds ahead of the first one, imo. I haven't read the books so I didn't see any of that coming. Definitely got Empire Strikes Back vibes in all the best ways. I'll probably see it again tomorrow. 8.5/10.

 

[Octoberist]

So apparently Jennifer Lawrence can act...

Haha just got the moment after two Oscar noms, with one win?

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Just got back, and I thought this was excellent. Leaps and bounds ahead of the first one, imo. I haven't read the books so I didn't see any of that coming. Definitely got Empire Strikes Back vibes in all the best ways. I'll probably see it again tomorrow. 8.5/10.

Definitely an ESB vibe, which makes the decision to slice up the last book quite disappointing imo.

Haha just got the moment after two Oscar noms, with one win?

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Why? Why is this poll closed?
I'd give it a 9/10
And I fail to see how much of an improvement this is over the first film, the first one has a good story too

Guards in this game are real ********, someone starts the salute and they kill him/her, what's their problem? No one moved against them with the salute, they gave people more reason to rebel against them

The idea of team-up for this tournament is interesting, better than making the new movie basically a rehash of the first, with minor changes

 

[Bim]

Yup. Last line of the book was, [BLACKOUT]"There is no District 12."[/BLACKOUT]

I was so glad that the third book was already out when I read it...I couldn't believe that was the ending.

I'm also glad they left it that way in the movie. I was afraid they would tack on an extra scene or something, which would have taken away from the original gut punch the book's ending was.

Tnx for the info t:. I tend to love books way more than the movie adaptations, so i guess with this one i'm trying to stay away from the books until i see the movie, just to give it a fair chance . But i do plan on reading this series eventually.

 

[SuperJediHero]

I just wish I can give Jennifer Lawrence a big long hug to appreciate her for the flawless acting in this movie!

 

[craigdbfan]

Watched it in IMAX today and let me tell you it was one heck of an experience. I loved it as much as the first one (yes, I absolutely adore the first one).

A powerful experience due to a beyond captivating performance by Jennifer Lawrence which keeps you invested in Katniss hardships, triumphs and paranoia in regards to the Capital and President Snow.

I thought the supporting cast was brilliant as well which only helped to further reinforce what was already an incredibly well knit story.

Very powerful cinema here folks and quite honestly it left me uneasy and shook up by the end in a way no other blockbuster has done to me in recent time and honestly that should be exactly what a movie like this should leave you feeling. The allegories are plenty and abound but all of them are translated beautifully to us, the viewer.

A gigantic 10/10!

 

[Iceman]

Watched it in IMAX today and let me tell you it was one heck of an experience. I loved it as much as the first one (yes, I absolutely adore the first one).

A powerful experience due to a beyond captivating performance by Jennifer Lawrence which keeps you invested in Katniss hardships, triumphs and paranoia in regards to the Capital and President Snow.

I thought the supporting cast was brilliant as well which only helped to further reinforce what was already an incredibly well knit story.

Very powerful cinema here folks and quite honestly it left me uneasy and shook up by the end in a way no other blockbuster has done to me in recent time and honestly that should be exactly what a movie like this should leave you feeling. The allegories are plenty and abound but all of them are translated beautifully to us, the viewer.

A gigantic 10/10!

Wow, what would you give the 1st Hunger Games?