Movies: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Score:  **** out of ***** (B+)

Long Story Short:  Katniss Everdeen returns for the second in a four part series that is already one of the biggest modern film franchises.  The ramifications of the first film's ending dominate this middle chapter of the series, as we get increased political tension and another trip to the brutal Hunger Games arena.  Lawrence still doesn't quite strike me as the best fit for sullen yet strong Katniss, but she's helped by a strong supporting cast (esp. Peeta, Effie, and Finnick).  An upgrade in almost every way from the original, particularly in the action, Catching Fire is one of the year's most solid blockbusters.


We're coming down to the last few weeks of 2013.  I'm beginning to Netflix some of the films released this year that I chose not to/didn't get a chance to see in the theater; I'll make comments on those in my 2013 film review (late January or early February).  I'll certainly be seeing the second Hobbit film and Anchorman 2, but beyond that I'm unsure of what else to expect - we'll see!  As for Catching Fire, I meant to see it on opening weekend - but the show I wanted to go to was sold out, so I had to wait.  As I explained last year, I read all three books before I knew they would become films; it's a fun series, though not in the upper fantasy echelons (i.e.: Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, etc.). Still, I was encouraged by the great early scores it got.  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was directed by Francis Lawrence and stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, et. al.

Catching Fire picks up right about where the first film left off:  Katniss (Lawrence) and Peeta (Hutcherson) have just survived the children's gladiator event of a near future society.  Although only one child is supposed to survive, they managed to break the pattern.  As we find at the beginning of this film, this result has produced feelings of solidarity in the oppressed population of Panem - and suspicion among its rulers.  In order to get things "back to normal", Katniss and Peeta are pressured to contain the situation as a romance within the Games rather than as a gesture to the broader society.

Still, Panem's rulers are antsy about the state of things, with Katniss and Peeta representing perhaps just the beginning.  Thus, the next Hunger Games - an "anniversary" edition - is changed to consist of only past winners of the competition.  As Panem looks at the new Hunger Games with more at stake than ever before, Katniss and Peeta are once again thrown into peril.

Like other popular book-turned-film series, The Hunger Games assembles a cast of familiar faces to portray even minor characters.  Reprising her role as Katniss Everdeen is Jennifer Lawrence.  Certainly today's most hyped young actress, Lawrence is good here but not great.  She impressed me in last year's Silver Linings Playbook, but she's not a great fit here.  Lawrence shines when given active, emotional scenes (or entire parts - see Silver Linings), but Katniss is mostly subdued, if not withdrawn, and that isn't a strong suit for Jennifer yet.  Although his part is somewhat small, I am much more impressed with Hutcherson as Peeta this time than in the first.  Partly he benefits from having a unique male role as the passive half in a semi-romantic relationship.  But Josh really holds to that (not an easy task for most hotshot young actors) and makes Peeta a sympathetic, relatable character.

Woody Harrelson is also back as Haymitch, former Hunger Games victor/current advisor to Katniss and Peeta.  Woody is always fun to watch and he's a natural fit for this role - but I do wish that they'd really make him an asshole like he is in the books rather than this "benevolent grump".  Elizabeth Banks as Katniss' and Peeta's chaperone, Effie, might be the sneaky (albeit flamboyant) best part in the series so far.  She is just what I imagined from the books, a surprisingly complex character who makes us believe her sheltered upbringing/enthusiastic job is challenged by Katniss and Peeta's situation.  Favorite newcomer:  Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair (a former winner/contestant in this film).  He is charismatic and commands the screen, separating himself from an endless list of similar parts in other films.  Other notes:  Liam Hemsworth (Gale) continues to be the most obnoxious, useless YA aspect of the films... Philip Seymour Hoffman's (gamemaker Plutarch) has bad dialogue but is such a good actor that he pulls it off anyway... Stanley Tucci (TV host Caesar) is the next best supporting series regular after Effie.

There are lots of different elements in play here for Catching Fire as a film.  It's an adaptation (duh), it's the middle chapter of a series, it's YA but also more ambitious at times.  Oh, and it's supposed to make a LOT of money.  As an adaptation, I think Catching Fire is at least as good, perhaps a bit better, than the first (although it's a little bloated).  Catching Fire also does well despite being a middle chapter; it starts right after the first, so no explanation of time gaps are required; and it finishes up the first aspect of the series' plot (i.e. revolving around the Hunger Games themselves) neatly with a tantalizing preview of what's to come.  Although I cringe at some of the YA-inspired moments (basically anything with Gale), they are fewer in Catching Fire than they were in the first.  The action scenes are significantly upgraded as well from the first, in large part thanks to some of the book's creative "obstacles" within the Hunger Games arena (killer monkeys and spinning islands and ghastly gas, oh my!).

***

I left the theater satisfied but not exuberant; the film is growing on me as I think back on it.  I could see possibly bumping it up to an "A-".  The Hunger Games films have so far been about as faithful as a non-R-rated version could be; its successes and failures have largely mirrored the books'.  Katniss is an interesting heroine, although Lawrence hasn't been able to quite fulfill her potential (she has a big opportunity in the final two films, though).  Her relationship with Peeta is one of the most intriguing parts, in both book and film; while her relationship with Gale is equally cliched and boring in both.  The idea of two innocent civilians' - childrens' - actions sparking a revolution is well realized; even if the details of the situation behind it (the government, the oppressed people, the history) are a little more bland.  That's OK, the main focus is on Katniss and her family and friends, and Catching Fire maintains it.  The build-up could have been trimmed, but it still holds the attention; and once we get to the arena, it's more fun than the first film.  Recommended (although, of course, make sure you've seen 2012's The Hunger Games, or read the books, first).