Review 2013 by RD Clark
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Written by: Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt
Based on the novel by Suzanne Collins
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Starring:
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci
Rated PG-13
Running time: 146 mins
Still haunted by her trials from the first Games, Katniss finds she must again fight for her life, as President Snow directs that a new Game be fought between the living survivors.
This one hits it out of the ballpark. There is time (and a budget) to do this one properly and NO SHAKY CAMS!!! Peeta has a chance to be more than a liability and the new characters, especially Jena Malone as Johanna Mason are given enough time to flesh out their roles. This one looks great and sounds fantastic. They even got the cat right this time. The political backdrop is examined more, with the Capitol City looking more like a real place, rather than an innuendo. The party that Katniss and Peeta are subjected to is an eye-opener.
My only concern is that a few scenes seem a bit rushed, but maybe this is understandable. There is a lot to cover. I think the film really needed another twenty minutes or so.
I highly recommend this one and I’m really looking forward to the Mockingjay finales. You could take the kids; this one is actually a bit less brutal than the first. There are no post credit scenes, so shoot on out when they start running.
Flytrap rating: 9/10
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