Skip to main content

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire – No Spoilers Review



Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
Director: Francis Lawrence
Genre: Action, adventure, sci-fi
Running time: 146 minutes
Certificate: 12A


The Hunger Games was the runaway success of 2012 making an instant icon of Jennifer Lawrence's
incarnation of the already iconic character, Katniss Everdeen. The movie of the second book in The Hunger Games series has been hotly awaited, and now it has arrived, how does it measure up?
In truth it is good, but not as good as the first. As with all 'second in the series' movies it suffers a little from not being a stand-alone film, and there is a lot of plot exposition that is somewhat cumbersome. However, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is produced to the same high quality with excellent acting from the whole cast. As expected, this movie picks up where The Hunger Games finished. Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) are living in the Victors' Village dealing with the aftermath of their experiences in The Hunger Games, but as a rebellion is rising, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) has new plans for Katniss.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire certainly keeps the same pace as The Hunger Games and is entertaining throughout. Plenty of plot twists are partnered with lots of action and tortured decision-making to help while away the time. The same cast return for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire with the addition of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who incidentally is the only one to wear ordinary clothes throughout the movie. It is almost as if he refused to join in with the rest of the cast, but hey, it's Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He can pretty much do what he wants and remain awesome.

The action is much as the first movie, but new twists and a different emphasis give enough plot and character development to make the movie worth a watch. As there are two more films, and yes, there are going to be another two films from the last book in the series (on a personal level, why do they keep making two movies out of the final book in every series? Oh yes, money. Excuse the cynicism), this film is obviously the middle of a wider story arc but it holds its own in spite of this. The film looks amazing (the Director of Photography has done a beautiful job) and it is seamlessly directed. On the whole, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a well executed, fun movie with a kickass heroine and a riveting plot.

Three and a half stars: The Hunger Games is a four star movie and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is pretty close but no cigar. If you liked The Hunger Games then go check it out, you won't be disappointed.

For more information on The Hunger Games Catching Fire visit here.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

American Sniper - Review - Spoiler Free - Oscars Countdown

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller Director: Clint Eastwood Genre: Drama Running time: 132 Certificate: 15 If you're interested in this movie then you've probably already heard about that baby, and if you haven't you are about to. Where to start with American Sniper ? My hopes were for a moving portrayal of the effects of conflict in a high pressure military role. I also thought that it might take an interesting look at the families of service men and the sacrifices made both at home and on tour. My hopes were not realised. This film is based on a true story, the source material is the autobiography by Chris Kyle. It follows the life of Kyle (Bradley Cooper) who grows up with a need to protect others. This combined with his environment leads him into a career as a sniper in the US Navy. As his career progresses his home life becomes slowly more fraught. Does it Hit the Mark? This was always going to be a difficult movie to review because it is based on auto...

Welcome

I have a confession. I love films. I can't remember a time when films were not a part of my life and it's getting worse. Some might say I'm a geek but I'm sure there are others like me, lurking in the shadows, coveting the latest box-set like the one ring to rule them all. We are a secretive breed, perfectly ordinary looking (most of the time), keeping their love of film under wraps. Ask the next person you see about their latest trip to the cinema and you will spot us; we are the ones whose eyes shine in a slightly manic way as we start to speak excitedly about plot and lighting. Well, I know that there are loads of film blogs out there but I thought it was time to confess and embrace my film nerd status by commenting on and reviewing films, from the latest releases to classic favourites, and delving into the world of film through favourite scenes, fanboy facts and even some more technical and analysis posts for the real film nerd out there. I hope that yo...

BAFTA 2015 Winners Announced

The celebrities sparkled and the carpet was red. The BAFTA awards took place this evening in fabulous Royal Opera House in London and with many of the nominations echoing the upcoming Oscars so many people are wondering if there is an indication of who will take home a statuette alongside their BAFTA this year. Anyway, there are a few surprises but it's not a shock to see British movie The Theory of Everything having so much success, it's a shame the beautifully shot The Imitation Game didn't take home any gongs. The horror! Enjoy the list of winners while I head off for a celebratory drink or two. Best Film in 2015 Boyhood Dir: Richard Linklater Leading Actor Eddie Redmayne - The Theory of Everything Leading Actress Julianne Moore - Still Alice Outstanding British Film The Theory of Everything Dir: James Marsh Best Supporting Actor J.K Simmons - Whiplash Best Supporting Actress Patricia Arquette - Boyhood Original Screenplay The Grand Budapest...