“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” leaves the audience with arguably one of the biggest cliffhangers ever. People who have read the books still get caught up in the combat, anticipation, and plot twists even though they knew it was going to happen. Director Francis Lawrence’s two-and-a-half hour film ends with an enormous tease, leaving the audience wanting to see the trilogy immediately.
Francis Lawrence replaces Gary Ross, who directed the original “Hunger Games.” Lawrence keeps the action lively while also delivering a more severe sense of scarcity and terror among the people of the districts. Due to the special effects the Capital appears way more over the top, while the visuals of the districts are unwelcoming and occasionally bloody.
However, the title hints at foreshadowing with the courageous spark among the districts to rebel ignited by Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence). It is clear that Katniss can do just about anything, but in this film she is a representation of hope and provides optimism for the revolution. Which are accountabilities she is unwilling to accept at first.
After Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) beat the system and both earn the title of victors in the first Hunger Games, they are required to tour the withered republic on a champion trip giving speeches that their mentor Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) creates. Katniss and Peeta must fake their love to convince President Snow (Donald Sutherland) that it is real because their love was the reason for victory in the prelude. However, Katniss’ heart seems to go to life-long companion Gale (Liam Hemsworth).
Just when the nightmare seemed to be over, Snow pulls Katniss and Peeta back into the fire. For the third Quarter Quell, or 75th Hunger Games the tributes are selected from the current pool of victors. Plutarch Heavensbee (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) guarantees that the games will be much more challenging this time around. Hoffman serves as an excellent example of how supporting roles can improve the quality of a movie.
Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) provides a much needed comedic relief yet again, but he barely exceeds the usual flamboyancy among the Capital in terms of liveliness. Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) like in the first “Hunger Games,” offers kindheartedness to Katniss as her artist and friend. Katniss’ wedding dress was truly a striking instance on live television for the entire world to witness.
The actual games virtually relief the audience because the initial “Hunger Games” were so tense, even though 24 lives are at risk. Toxic fog, heavy bloody rains, and rioting baboons are tough encounters the tributes face. The tributes’ comprehension to outwit Plutarch Heavensbee conveys the opportunity of assurance for more quivers to arise.
