Catching Fire (2013) Review

★★★★

By: Kameron McBride

The first Hunger Games movie was entertaining, but a film that I didn't think make full use of an interesting premise. Ultimately I don't think it pushed the issues of the Hunger Games enough and didn't explore the dilemma of teens killing each other as much as it gave us clear characters to root for and against. Catching Fire, the second film of the series, rectifies this mistake albeit at the sake of some pacing of the story.

Catching Fire takes place a short while after the events of the first film. Hunger Games champion Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is struggling to cope with life past the Hunger Games. Her post-champion life involves taking a tour to the other districts celebrating her victory, all while trying to keep up the charade of her romance with fellow champion Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), despite the fact that Katniss is romancing Gale (Liam Hemsworth). Katniss is under pressure by the nefarious President Snow (Donald Sutherland) to convince the masses of this relationship in order to prevent rebellion from breaking out.

The problem lies in the fact that Katniss' victory in the Hunger Games has inspired protests and rebellions to spark throughout the various districts, with the penalty being death for anyone who publicly displays resistance to the powers to be, usually through the three finger salute made popular by Katniss¹.

This is where I think the movie is really at its strongest. Every scene where Katniss and Peeta want to show their support for these protesters but can’t feels very tense and interesting. Most of the movie actually feels like a good cat and mouse game where Katniss and company are constantly maneuvering to stay alive while under constant pressure. These scenes really give us a sophistication the first movie didn't and director Frances Lawrence does a very good job of pacing these scene in the early going.

The only downside to this is that the plot doesn't have a clear endgame for a very long time. Eventually we find out that another Hunger Games will be taking place, but it's crammed into the last third of the movie. Thus, when the Hunger Games of champions is suddenly upon us, it feels a little rushed, especially when compared to how pivotal they felt in the first film. This time it is even harder to connect with these characters competing and dying because we're given even less time to get to know them.

Ultimately, however, I think this is a much more mature and well put together entry into this franchise. It takes a lot more time to examine the issues that the Hunger Games themselves represent and actually takes into account how these characters are affected by them. Lawrence gives a very solid performance as Katniss, while Sutherland and Philip Seymour Hoffman bring very good presence to their roles. While I think the Hunger Games themselves aren't as grand, I like the direction this installment takes the series in and should set up for an interesting finale.

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1 While in the theater watching this someone sitting in front kept putting this same salute every time he deemed it appropriate.  Still investigating whether the studio paid him to try and get the audience more involved in the story.