The Odds Were Ever In Its Favor: HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

2013 - 146 minutes - Action/Sci-Fi
Director: Francis Lawrence
Country: United States
IMDB: 8.3
Metacritic: 75
RT: 89

CinemaChagrin's Rating: B+

Watch this movie if you enjoy:

• The book (Catching Fire)
• Dystopian films
• Jennifer Lawrence (who doesn't?)
• Excellent writing

Avoid this movie if you dislike:

• The Hunger Games book series
• Suspenseful sequences
• Some mild cheese
• Big-budget blockbusters

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is probably the most well-crafted and entertaining big-budget blockbuster I've seen since The Dark Knight. It is also one of the best sequels I've ever seen, along the lines of Aliens, Terminator 2, and TDK. After the relative disappointment of The Hunger Games, my expectations were not too high coming into the sequel. Fortunately, Catching Fire improves upon the first film in every way imaginable: direction, writing, acting, pacing, editing, effects, and casting - you name it, Catching Fire does it better. It is by no means a flawless film, but as far as purely escapist entertainment goes, it doesn't get much better than this.

May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor

Plot: Those of you who have read the book are familiar with the plot. Katniss Everdeen (an excellent-as-always Jennifer Lawrence), victor of the 74th annual Hunger Games, has become a symbol of the growing rebellion of the districts against the Capitol of Panem. To stifle dissent, Katniss and fellow District 12 champion Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) are thrown into the 75th Hunger Games - the so-called 3rd Quarter Quell, a special edition of the Games consisting entirely of previous victors. While this may sound similar to the first movie (and it is), the way the plot is structured makes for a much more satisfying movie overall. Less time spent in the actual Games, more time spent developing the characters and the plot. 

Direction: Much like how Alfonso Cuarón took the Harry Potter film franchise to new heights with The Prisoner of Azkaban, Francis Lawrence has proved to be a highly competent director, transforming the series from a merely mediocre adaptation to something truly excellent. I was somewhat skeptical upon hearing that Lawrence had taken over direction from Gary Ross, given that he doesn't have much of a cinematic track record (aside from the so-so I Am Legend), but he totally knocked it out of the park. Gone are the unnecessary shaky camera and extreme close-ups of the first film that served no purpose other than to obscure action sequences. Instead, Lawrence pulls the camera back and lets us see what is going on (including the acual violence, which is quite satisfying). No longer do we have to endure sanitized violence and quick cuts away from the kills; instead we see everything on screen. Even the blood and gore got amped up a little bit - I can see why Catching Fire was almost slapped with an R rating.

By this point, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) is a seasoned killer

Writing: More than any other aspect of the film, the script is a HUGE improvement over the first film - not altogether unsurprising given that the two screenwriters have several Oscar nominations (and one win) between them. The screenplay gives the actors a ton to work with, balancing exposition, action, humor, and sorrow expertly. There are a few scenes where the writing gets cheesy and sappy in the style of most blockbusters (including a completely unnecessary 'love' scene between Katniss and Peeta), but on the whole I was very impressed. I really appreciated how all of the supporting characters got their moment to shine. Characters that barely had anything to say in the first film (Gale, Effie, Haymitch) have expanded roles, while new additions are fully realized as well.

The District 12 Victors prior to the reaping for the 75th Hunger Games

Pacing/Editing: Thanks in large part due to Francis Lawrence's excellent direction, the film just flows extremely well. Action sequences are expertly crafted and edited, with a good balance between suspenseful anticipation and full-out combat. I was very impressed by the pacing overall. The actual Games don't start until more than halfway into Catching Fire, but like the first film, I actually enjoyed it more prior to the hostilities breaking out. Scenes between different characters (both antagonists and protagonists) are juxtaposed effectively against each other, as are action and non-action scenes. Despite its 2.5 hour run-time, I felt the pacing was spot on - never too fast nor too slow (quite the achievement, given the nature of big action/adventure films). By allowing for such a significant portion of the film to focus on drawing the audience into the world of Panem and introducing/developing the various characters, I was much more invested in the action once it started. 

An unfortunate victim of Capitol punishment (pun intended)

Acting: Like the screenplay, the acting in Catching Fire represents a huge step up from the first film. (On a side note, it's funny how acting quality seems so inextricably linked with the quality of the script. I wish more filmmakers understood or cared about this.) Jennifer Lawrence now has more substantive material to display her ample acting chops, and does not disappoint, conveying everything from extreme grief to raging anger. The supporting cast is absolutely spot on in every way. All of the returning actors are much improved from the first film. Woody Harrelson is great once again as Haymitch Abernathy, hilarious yet touching. Liam Hemsworth as Gale actually has more than two lines, which is really great! Donald Sutherland is appropriately menacing as President Snow, while Stanley Tucci once again perfectly embodies Caesar Flickerman. Elizabeth Banks is actually quite touching as Effie Trinkett; she has quite a few lines in Catching Fire, portraying Effie's oblivious yet caring nature perfectly.

The new faces to the franchise are for the most part excellent. Sam Claflin captures Finnick's charm and confidence expertly. Phillip Seymour Hoffman seems a little bit out of place, but performs well as usual. Overshadowing nearly everyone else in the entire movie though, is Jena Malone as Johanna Mason. Malone has come a long way since she portrayed the quiet Gretchen Ross in 2001's Donnie Darko. She brings the feisty and vicious Johanna to life in every way possible, stealing every scene she's in. Her performance was one of my favorite things about the entire movie - very memorable and just spot on.

Jena Malone as Johanna Mason

Production: The film's $130 million budget definitely shines in this regard. Production values are way up from the first film. The CGI actually looks passable for the most part, the sets varied and convincing, and the costumes, my god! Whoever did the costume design/makeup for this film deserves as Oscar. I have never seen so many varied and creative costumes in a single film - absolutely spectacular. From Effie's butterfly dress to Katniss' wedding gown to all the residents of the Capitol, I was blown away. Overall, the film's excellent production values facilitated my immersion in its story and world - quite the achievement for a movie of this type.

Even the film's promotional posters looked good...

Now at this point it seems like I've been praising the film to the high heavens for a while. Let me make myself clear: Catching Fire is by no means perfect. There are a few cheesy scenes from time to time, and the performances, while all excellent, are by no means Oscar-worthy. The music is largely recycled from the first film, and aside from the main theme, not very exciting to boot. Though the pacing for the most part is outstanding, the last 30 minutes or so of the film are somewhat erratic and not as convincing. Like the first film, the best parts of Catching Fire all occur prior to the start of the Games.

Despite these relatively minor details, Catching Fire is one of the most exciting and well-made blockbusters I've seen in a long time. Fans of the book will rejoice, for it is an exceedingly faithful adaptation. Fans of the first film will also rejoice, for the sequel is superior in every way possible. And people new to the franchise will probably love it as well - it's wildly entertaining and very engaging. Though it's no Citizen Kane, Catching Fire is about as good as Hollywood blockbusters get. It's shallow, escapist, entertainment, yes, but it is incredibly well-crafted shallow, escapist, entertainment. Lots of fun!

-CC