The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Pick up your weapon of choice and fight for your life! Sounds horrific, but this is the Hunger Games so don't fret too much. Despite its nasty premise, the first film was blunted by comparisons to the vastly superior Battle Royale, saturation of it's tougher elements to get the crowds in and Gary Ross' poor direction. Ross has vacated the directors chair for this follow up (due to a "tight" schedule - yeah, right) and been replaced by the equally eyebrow raising choice of Francis Lawrence (again showing that all the money has been spent elsewhere). No point going into the storyline here, but the whole things bears an uncanny resemblance to the first film. A first half of social commentary / training for battle and a second half of action. Even the poster looks almost identical. However, the good news is that this is the far superior film. Partly this is due to Lawrence's style of film making where, even in his action films, the dramatic elements are the strongest segments. The first film was the set up and now Lawrence expands the storyline out with a much deeper exploration of the common good. Acting wise Jennifer Lawrence is vastly better than she was in the first film now giving the impression of wearing the tough and cynical Katniss as a second skin and Jena Malone adds some needed spunk as a new tribute. Best of all though (as with the first film) is Elizabeth Banks bringing real depth to such a superficial character as Effie Trinket. Some problems remain though. Many of the special effects are average in the extreme and the editing of the action scenes in the arena are terrible. Certain characters get lost in the mix now as well (despite having a major role as a love interest, Liam Hemsworth is so bland its inconceivable the headstrong Katniss would ever give him a second glance) and Stanley Tucci's hamming now just grates. Overall though this certainly isn't a wasted night and is a much more profound production that you would expect. Plus there's a stupendous twist at the end, which, if you're unaware of its nature as you haven't read the book, give the film an extra mark. Rating: 7/10.