170
Filmaholics
Become A Filmaholic
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Daniel's Review
I loved the first film, it surprised me a lot last year as it was my fifth favourite film of 2012, and I wasn’t even hyped for it. The characters, the world, it was something different I haven’t seen in a movie before.
So I was extremely hyped for the sequel, part 2 of the story titled ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ and boy, did it catch fire.
The sequel is set right after the first film, but everything is different now that Katniss has won The Hunger Games.
The sequel is actually funnier, offering some great one liners, and great hilarious dialogue, with Haymitch given the best lines.
But the film is actually darker than the first, if that is possible. The tone is darker and at times a bit frightening.
The acting is top-notch, given extreme praise for Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. She is definitely a star as she was unbelievable and one of the besting acting performances all year. The other actors were also great, Josh Hutcherson did a great job as his character Peeta Mellark and Phillip Seymour Hoffman was a nice new addition to the cast. As always, Woody Harrelson is great as Haymitch and Donald Sutherland did a brilliant job as President Snow, but overall, the cast did a remarkable job making every character believable.
The film is set up to be bigger, and actually delivers that promise as it was truly an epic adventure movie that makes you feel happy, yet disgusted, all in one movie.
The characters are extremely developed and offers some very heartbreaking emotional scenes.
Concluding, ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ is a truly unique movie going experience, that I have had so few of this year. It delivers on acting, character development, visual effects, writing and overall a hilarious, and intense, emotional movie that stands above its predecessor as it is highly engaging and makes you feel like you are part of the universe and the detailed built world that has been created.
It is extremely highly recommend checking out and will make you excited for the final chapter in ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise, one year away, for November 2014.
Score: 9.6/10
Published: November 24th, 2013
Details
Review
Release Date: November 21st, 2013
Studio: Lionsgate
Runtime: 146 mins
Rated: M
Shortcuts
Nic's Review
Having read the trilogy, of which the second is my favourite, and enjoyed the first film, my expectations were high for this movie.
Boy, did it deliver with the best blockbuster all year and one of my favourite films of 2013 overall.
The components that made the novel so great are all represented here; the great new characters; Katniss' emotional torment; the brilliant action and vibrant settings.
Most of all it spends more time playing up the themes of capitalism, class,war and death that underlie the trilogy.
And the setup for the two-part finale is absolutely heartstopping.
In addition to the fantastic music, cinematography and acting, these elements make Catching Fire an astounding improvement on its already brilliant predecessor.
Score: 9.5/10