The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

[Hush]

Very good sequel, the shaky cam is gone and I enjoyed the adaption as it was very faithful. Clafin for Aquaman starts now. Haha.

 

[GremlinZilla89]

Very good sequel. The cast is excellent, the social commentary more pointed and compelling, characters like Effie get a little more dimension, the other Tributes have more to do and are more defined and the action is much better shot. The games themselves are also amazingly well realized.

This continues the streak of movie adaptations that I find actually better than the books. Hopefully Mockingjay can deliver the goods as it's the most problematic of the three. If they get that film right, we can add The Hunger Games to the short list of great cinematic trilogies.

 

[SuperJediHero]

Anyone know where can I listen to the score?

 

[Liam_H]

$25.25M midnight figure. Looks like it might be a ~$75M opening day.

 

[Iceman]

Excellent, it's going to be huge.

 

[craigdbfan]

75 mil just for opening day? That's freaking ridiculous.

That weekend number is going to be something else.

 

[Victarion]

Very good sequel. The cast is excellent, the social commentary more pointed and compelling, characters like Effie get a little more dimension, the other Tributes have more to do and are more defined and the action is much better shot. The games themselves are also amazingly well realized.

This continues the streak of movie adaptations that I find actually better than the books. Hopefully Mockingjay can deliver the goods as it's the most problematic of the three. If they get that film right, we can add The Hunger Games to the short list of great cinematic trilogies.

Can you tell me, vaguely, what sort of problems Mockingjay poses? I do plan to see the films eventually. The trailers for this one looked really great.

 

[SuperT]

The biggest thing I didn't like about Mockingjay is that Katniss just seemed like a gigantic b**** the entire book. I was more annoyed with her most of the time rather than rooting for her.

She did a complete 180 and started hating everyone.

 

[SuperJediHero]

I highly doubt that's point, SuperT, I think she is just very hurt and want the revolution to start ASAP and she becomes a revolution leader and want Snow dead, instead of more like the "I don't want anyone else get hurt so I am not gonna do anything rash" character of the 1st two movies. Cuz, it's moot, other people are already hurt, she has nothing to lose by becoming this revolution leader!

I would think people involved in a revolution has to be judged 'hateful' by other people, in some way.

But then again, I've not read the book, so that's what I am guessing.



However, if there are any tiny amount bit of the un-hating Katniss, I am not worried, cuz Jennifer Lawrence is an amazing actress, the director is great, they will of course show that side enough.

 

[Kaleb]

Wow I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this,everyone in the cast bought their "A Game"For me Phillip Seymore Hoffman stole every scene he was in.

8.5/10

What stops my review from been a 9/10 is the final scene it just felt too forced (Think Vader in Revenge of the Sith)

 

[SuperJediHero]

My only disappointments (LOVED everything else)

1) The arena scenes are too short,

Spoiler

we only really explored 4 areas of the 12 areas. (Lightening tree, poison Fog, Baboons, and Jabberjays)

felt that was a copout.

Spoiler

2) Bombing of district 12 not shown

 

[CB Fan]

SuperJedi your number 2 is a spoiler...

I loved this film the actors were amazing even Clafin who has the weirdest jaw I've ever seen. He almost seemed to be channeling Matthew McConaughey minus the southern accent. I'm not completely in love with his Finnick but he'll do.

Joanna is amazing!

Hutchinson and Hemsworth work perfectly as Peeta and Gale. Those wanting to see more Gale will have to wait until the third/fourth movie to see his character develop.

I'm sure ill make more notes when I get time but overall the movie was excellent and that last look from Katniss is gold.

 

[DACrowe]

I will say that as I hadn't read the books that the ending felt a bit abrupt, but that is the nature of the beast.

This was a fantastic blockbuster. I saw it a few days ago, and it is still sticking around in my head. Easily the best action movie of the year with the cast being fantastic.

In Gary Ross's defense,I think this movie lost some of the "everyday" authenticity that the original had. Also, I thought Harrelson, Banks and Kravitz had more to do. But in almost every other way the superior movie and seeing it in IMAX is stunning. It deserves its success.

 

[GremlinZilla89]

Can you tell me, vaguely, what sort of problems Mockingjay poses? I do plan to see the films eventually. The trailers for this one looked really great.

These films are some of the only I can say I think are better than the books in every regard. I had to literally force myself to get through the third.

I just don't think Collins is a good writer. She lacks a certain, I don't know...personal touch. The way I always describe it to people is that I felt very aware I was reading a book, if that makes any sense. They never were able to sweep me up. Her world and character building rings oddly hollow to me as I could never connect with what was going on. None of the characters aside from oddly, Peeta really ever feel like flesh and blood. Wooden, dry, blank is how I would describe her writing.

The third book is the most outwardly political and it just doesn't gel and I think it tried to do too much with too little pages. They are doing to now typical "splitting the last book in two" routine which I think may work for the source material.

I almost didn't see the first film fearing it would come off as preachy or corny. I'm glad I broke down and gave it a go.

Ross, Francis Lawrence and the writers managed to make this oddly hollow world of literature feel real and lived in. The world is presented realistically and the casting impeccable. I think they got lucky as HELL because these two films are some of the more genuine and honest blockbusters of the past decade. For some odd reason, a certain unknown validity is present in the films that I just don't see in the books.

I know I'm in the minority as far as the books go, but hey....they all can't be winners.

 

[Victarion]

That's a good advertisement for the movies. Thanks.

 

[Liam_H]

75 mil just for opening day? That's freaking ridiculous.

That weekend number is going to be something else.

Actually the range is gonna be a bit lower.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Is the score the same as the 1st movie anyone? Just curious as loved the score in the 1st movie.

Also, for me Francis Lawrence has been an under-rated directer thus far, I have often mentioned him for comic book movies as his visual style is amazing but others often shoot me down. I think he will get the praise he deserves now.

 

[terry78]

Fanboys take issue with Constantine mostly.

 

[The Chris]

Is the score the same as the 1st movie anyone? Just curious as loved the score in the 1st movie.

Also, for me Francis Lawrence has been an under-rated directer thus far, I have often mentioned him for comic book movies as his visual style is amazing but others often shoot me down. I think he will get the praise he deserves now.

I always liked him. I felt like he just needed a really really good script that he can sink his teeth into. This was it. I loved this movie.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

It's looking like it will open below the first domestically according to the early numbers. I'm seeing it tomorrow with my mom. Hope I like it as much as some of you guys.

 

[Snow Queen]

I was going to see it this weekend but I came down with a cold the other day. Hopefully I'll get a chance to see it next week, the word of mouth on this has me quite excited.

 

[psylockolussus]

I liked this movie and the cast is really good. And can I just say that I love Lynn Cohen's participation in this movie! I have no problem with the arena, compare to the 1st movie, it felt more dangerous.

I didn't read the books but I have to say that I'm not that satisfied with the ending. It kinda felt too fast and I don't think it is satisfying for someone who haven't read the books. Also the element of them being in a "show" was gone when the arena started, they didn't show the reaction of people watching the tournament, just the people who were in the charge of the game.

But over-all, I liked it and I can't wait for the next movie!

8/10

 

[def28]

8.5 maybe a 9 out of 10. Knew next to nothing going in and was really impressed. Much better then the first, which I enjoyed but overall wasn't too impressed by. Everything was an improvement imo and this flick really got me into the franchise more. Also glad they ditched the shakey cam. The games were alot more interesting this time around. Only complaint was I thought it could have been trimmed down a bit. But thats more a nitpick.

Didn't know Jeffrey Wright and Jenna Malone were in this, was stoked to see them both. Damn solid cast.

 

[Dr. Remy Lebeau]

I really liked the first one (in fact I'm watching it right now), but this one was potentially even better. It was long (always a good thing), had everything the first one did right, and moved the story forward. I'm salivating for the last two parts. I'm not going to read the books, and I would appreciate no spoilers, but I have a feeling we're in for something really special. I gave it a 9/10. Go watch it!!!

 

[Loki882]

The only real problem that I had with Mockingjay was that I thought things were wrapped up TOO quickly. The ending felt really rushed, with all these plotlines concluded in like fifteen or twenty pages.