The second installment of Suzanne Collins’ trilogy opens with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) home in District 12 hunting (food) and being hunted by the memories of last year games. Her “real” flame Gale (Liam Hemsworth) a miner is there to comfort her but also to tell her of his concerns about her leaving for the Victory Tour (a pseudo celebrity like tour to distract the citizens of the 12 districts of Panem with her and Peeta’s Hollywood romance). Before the tour however, the strong-willed heroine Katniss receives a visit from the pernicious President Snow (Donald Sutherland) who basically ensures that Katniss calms the agitated citizens as she (the “girl on fire”), was the one to give them hope in the first place and caused small fires (mini riots) to break out. For a quarter of the movie the Victory Tour takes Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) her fake fiancé to multiple districts revealing not only Peeta’s unconditional love of Katniss and his acceptance of her stoic ways but also Katniss’s anger and apathy as she plays the roll of poster child for a system she abhors. She along with the audience is also starting to peel with emotion as the tour brings her to a friend and fallen tribute’s district; District 11. Her ode to her friend Rue pulls tears from everyone, and even gets her some one on one time with the new game curator Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman). This year is the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and is also the 3rd Quarter Quell which means a special game is to be played. President Snow consistently meet with new game-maker Heavensbee to make certain Katniss does not live. Subsequently, the games are announced that all reapings will be from previous victors including Katniss and Peeta (who volunteers in Haymitches place).

The night before the games, Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) creates an amazing dress for his “girl on fire” (a term he coined) that turns into a dark gown with wings mimicking a MockingJay, a pin that was gifted to Katniss in her first game which now serves as the people’s symbol of Hope. The “goodbye” night as some refer to it also introduces us to the vibrant, savvy, and skilled tributes or victors of previous games such as: Wild, aggressive, outspoken Johanna (Jena Malone) from District 7, Sweet, elderly Mags (Lynn Cohen) from District 4, Humble, charming Finnick (Sam Claflin) also from District 4, dynamic brother and sister duo Gloss (Alan Ritchson) & Cashmere (Stephanie Leigh Schlund) from District 1, and tech guru BeeTee (Jeffrey Wright) from District 3. The tributes join hands in the final scene of that night fueling Presidents Snow’s anger even more. Once in the arena, you are expecting a skin crawling blood bath; instead, Director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) keeps the violence off camera. However, there are still lots of twisted thrills and suspense as the tributes are faced with poisonous gas, blood seeking baboons, and a harsh environment. Throughout the game Katniss is struggling with her being able to “remember who the real enemy is”. The ending leaves you yearning for the final installment of the trilogy.

Check out the interview with: Dynamic brother and sister duo Gloss (Alan Ritchson) & Cashmere (Stephanie Leigh Schlund) : Click Me!

This film is amazing for its superb acting, as all of the actors embodied their roles. Lawrence exudes emotion, strength, integrity, and loyalty all things that are in the personage of a heroine, and yet she is so vulnerable. The cinematography was excellent as well from the riveting drama, sufferings of an unjust world, to the futuristic environment mixed with modern day society. The screenplay also sticks closely to the book as it gives birth in picture to Collins tale of strength, love, friendship, faith, humanity, hope, and fight. This movie is not just a sequel of blood shed and sick entertainment. It has a message, an important message that all of us need to meditate on. What is that message? GO WATCH THE MOVIE! For the odds are ever in your favor!

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

In theatres: 11.22.13

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 146

Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Thriller

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