I went to see this movie with my husband and daughter last night and as fans of the first film, was very much looking forward to the second. Having read all of the books previously, I was interested to see how the book would translate as a movie and I have to say it was very similar to the book, which is a nice surprise.
IMDB says of the movie: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.
Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone, Silver Linings Playbook) reprises her role as feisty Katniss Everdeen, still torn between her feelings for Gale Hawthorn played by Liam Hemsworth (The Expendables 2, Paranoia) and Peeta Mellark, Josh Hutcherson (The Bridge to Terabithia, The Kids are Alright).
Thrust back into the limelight as Capitol darlings, they must tour the Districts and pretend that their relationship is real. Woody Harrelson (Now You See Me, Cheers) as mentor Haymitch Abernathy, Elizabeth Banks (The 40 Year-old Virgin, The Next Three Days) as escort Effie Trinket and Lenny Kravitz (Bad Boys II, Precious) as stylist Cinna, can only help so much against evil President Snow (played with scary aplomb by Donald Sutherland of The Italian Job, MASH) and new Head Game-maker Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman of Moneyball, Mission Impossible).
When trying to quell the hope in the Districts by force does not work and to avoid a rebellion, Snow and Heavensbee decide to hold the 75th Hunger Games Quarter Quell as a tribute-only games and Katniss and Peeta are forced to risk their lives once more. They must work together with fellow tributes, including Finnick (Sam Claflin of Snow White and the Huntsman, United), Johanna (Jena Malone of Sucker Punch, Into the Wild) and Beetee (Jeffrey Wright of Quantum of Solace, Source Code) to survive.
Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada, The Terminal) is back as Host Ceasar Flickerman and Director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, Constantine) uses him to great effect to lighten the mood from the quashing of the rebellion scenes.
I look forward to the final movie, which I hope I enjoy more than I did the book.
Tagline: Remember who the enemy is. 8.5/10
#CatchingFire
Though the first still feels like the better of the two, this one still has me ready for what's to come next of this story. Good review Karen.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the first is the better of the two, but it does set up the finale well. Thank you for your comment. Glad you enjoyed the review.
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