The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Top comments

1. 

   KuroSawWhat

   Book fans will be happy to hear that Catching Fire is extremely faithful to the novel and really delivers what you're looking to see. Don't miss it!
   
   Everyone else should definitely be aware that this is the Empire Strikes Back of the Hunger Games trilogy. It continues the thoughts from the first film, does a bit of its own thing, and sets up the next [two] movie[s]. So don't start any Back to the Future Part II-style complaints--I warned you!
   
   All the performances are excellent, and the new director handles the series with aplomb. They get more in-depth with the world of Panem, which was definitely lacking in the previous film, and explore further themes on how the Games are used to manipulate the populace. There's lots of good allegorical references to our society going on, if you care to take notice of it. Catching Fire's story is much darker in tone than Hunger Games was, with some very intense and frightening scenes, so think twice about bringing youngsters who aren't old enough to handle it.
   
   It does suffer a bit from middle-child syndrome, not leaving a super impact, but if you enjoyed the first film, you'll enjoy this one, as well. 10 years 5 months ago
2. 

   CSSCHNEIDER

   The Good:
   A much better film than it's predecessor, it's just far more interesting with the social backdrop playing a far more substantial part in the overall story.
   
   The performances are strong all around with Jennifer Lawrence bringing her game again. Also it was a treat to have Jena Malone in this. I wish she was in everything.
   
   The Bad:
   Even with how good this was, I cannot shake the, at times, overwhelming blandness to certain aspects of this series. It was all over the book and the first film, it's lesser here, but something about this series feels wholly generic and blase. 10 years 5 months ago
3. 

   devilsadvocado

   Ignoring all the childish aspects of this production, the libertarian in me really enjoys the broader story and themes of the trilogy. I just wish they could spend less time on the love triangle and more time on the inner workings of the capital and the revolution. Alas, this one is for the kiddies and the kiddies need their kissies and melodrama. 10 years 2 months ago

Friends