The shaky cams are gone and the glorious costumes are back in Frances Lawrence’s adaptation of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, as we see a Panem that has been changed by the events of “The Hunger Games” – and a film which has also been changed by its director.
Lawrence, perhaps best known for sappy romantic drama “Water for Elephants,” has delivered in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” a darker, more mature film, for just as its protagonist Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) must grow as she faces upheaval so too does Lawrence, taking on a project of this scale and from a director (Gary Ross) who was so highly praised.
Opening back in District 12 with Katniss contemplating life as a Victor, she is soon thrust back into the Capitol, the metropolis of the nation of Panem which exercises political control over the rest of the nation. President Snow (Donald Sutherland) is still unhappy that Katniss and her fellow Victor Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) bested his Games to allow for two survivors and now it’s payback time, for unbeknownst to them, their defiance in the arena has sparked unrest and rumblings of a revolution throughout the Districts.
As Katniss and Peeta travel throughout Panem on their Victory Tour and view the results of their actions, Lawrence’s direction is incredibly well thought out, with some truly terrifying scenes and well placed shots (such as the Mockingjay symbol in the tunnel), that stand out in memory long after the film has ended. Collins’ novels were beautifully cinematic, and although the author did not adapt this screenplay, Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt’s efforts are just as good as the first film.
Back in the Capitol, President Snow aims to kill off various Victors through the Quarter Quell, bringing together Victors from previous Games to provide for the ultimate battle. It is here that Jennifer Lawrence gets to shine. Mixing toughness with vulnerability, Lawrence’s Katniss is once again thrown into the world of the Hunger Games which she had thought was over for good.
We soon meet a ragtag bunch of previous Victors from whom Katniss must carefully choose her allies and then hedges her bets by choosing those that appear less physically able. Sam Claflin and Jena Malone are great additions to the cast as Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason, and once in the arena, Lawrence and the script are smart enough to never give enough away so that the alliances formed always remain on shaky grounds (unless of course you’ve read the books!)
Back in District 12, Liam Hemsworth has a little more to do here than in the first film, paving the way for the coming third and fourth film where he will take on a bigger role, while Hutcherson, although remaining a bad casting choice, is solid as Peeta.
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” follows a tradition set with the first film in that every scene is enjoyable to watch but it is in the Capitol, where, believe it or not, the real laughs come. Stanley Tucci is a riotous joy as Caesar Flickerman, the commentator of the Games, hamming it up in the best way possible for his audience in Panem, and us, the audience in the cinema.
By the time the film reaches its dramatic conclusion you are on the edge of your seat with anticipation – whether you know what will happen or not. It of course sets the next film up, due out at the same time next year. Lawrence will be back to direct the final two parts, and we feel safe saying that the odds are in his favor.
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