The Hunger Games: Catching Fire


If the first one was good the sequel was even better. THG: Catching Fire revisits the bleak world of Panem a nation divided in twelve poor districts that tribute to a parasitic capital called The Capitol. One of those tributes is to to send young people to a survivalist mortal competition called the Hunger Games, the only form of entertainment in that sad country. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) the winner of the last Hunger Games and her friend and also survivor of the competition, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) are forced to return to a special edition of THG in which they will compete against the winner of previous editions of THG. Unbeknowst to Katniss is that secret forces are using her to instill rebellion in the population and use her for an upcoming revolution against the brutal power of the Capitol.
I just don't like this movie, I like the story that is behind all of the series. In my opinion the film itself is pretty well done which is difficult since it has several themes all of them profound and thought-provoking. THG is like a modern version of 1984 with the same authenticity but also with enough romance and tension so as to be attractive not only to an adult audience but also young adults and teens in general. Both Hutcherson and Lawrence have grown into their roles enough to make them believable, frail but also brave, humble and at the same time proud. The best sequence is that when Katniss it threatened by President Snow (Donald Sutherland) the ruthless governor of Panem. Lawrence shows a character that is in conflict, torn apart between her desire to be a beacon of hope and her natural need to keep her loved ones safe and sound.whereas Snow is merciless, cold, and calculating as are all those who believe themselves to be above the rest. All the other aspects the music, the costumes, the makeup are superb with the photography taking the most compliments because of a stupendous work, especially in that scene when "the Tributes" enter sports area of Panem. That scene reminds me of a similar sequence in Ben-Hur It's truly epic.
Five stars out of five.

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