Rant and Rave—’The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’

Fans join the rebellion with Catching Fire making its way to cinemas as the sequel to The Hunger Games back in 2012. The film takes off from the victory of tributes Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) from the 74th Annual Hunger Games, as they strategically defied the rules and survived through a well-played romance that struck the hearts and hopeful sentiments of viewers.

The victors of District 12 embark on the Victory Tour, where they visit Panem’s districts, deliver rehearsed speeches and watch in torment the faces of those who continue living in grief.

Fearing Panem’s brink of an uprising, President Snow (Donald Sutherland), ruthless leader of Panem, announces The Quarter Quell – the 75th Annual Hunger Games, where Katniss and Peeta face a new battle with tougher competition and more crucial measures to stay alive.

Catching Fire is one film that leaves audiences with an undeniable thrill as they grip the movie theater’s armrests, undergo a significant amount of nail-biting, knuckle-gnawing and fist-pumping stress, and eventually be thrown of their seats and be left gaping at the screen.

But going beyond the firsthand emotions, Catching Fire soared from its prequel, as the new film holds more twists – shocking ones, for that matter – more suspenseful scenes and a more interesting storyline.

Enhanced and cleverly executed were the familiar scenes of bravery and justice, as more light was shed on actually challenging and going against an oppressive system, and seeing how the system would be shook by motivated citizens who strive to take action.

Highly creative concepts were also featured in the film as it went beyond the traditional means of interpreting what battle and survival usually are. The numerous (though far from boring and tiresome) fight scenes, ambush attacks, strategic attempts of survival, as well as the actual weapons and their usage catered to viewers in constant awe.

The film also casts more sophisticated and quite diverse characters with seemingly relatable personalities: the brainy one, the aggressive and confident one, or the compassionate one who hides behind the arrogant mask. The given set seemed to celebrate how strength could be expressed, challenged though eventually overcome by different types of people.

Katniss and Peeta’s love story was truly indefinite though satisfying. It poses as one with just the right amount of cheese (not the eye-rolling, barf-inducing kind), and one with more depth and addictive inconsistency (not to mention frustration), unlike most of the typical Hollywood romances.

Jennifer Lawrence, as the greatly well-rounded actress she is known to be, continues to impress audiences with her effortless embodiment of vigor and feistiness. Given her recent Oscar win for her performance as the female lead in Silver Linings Playbook (2012), as well as an Oscar nomination for the female lead role in Winter’s Bone (2010), she has suddenly but surely climbed to the top of the Hollywood ladder.

Although the film’s soundtrack seemed to emanate from that of the first movie’s, it triggers that “silent-though-not-roaring” kind of courage, allowing a more powerful impact for viewers and effective accompaniment to the film’s scenes. The film also had notably smooth progressions, with one scene being relevant towards the next one, and for the film as a whole.

As Catching Fire ended with probably one of the most dreadful cliffhangers in the world that would seriously drive you mad, it leaves highly allured viewers impatiently anticipating the third installment, Mockingjay, to be officially released in two separate films.

The sequel, apart from staying true to the book, quite admirably transitioned from an otherwise safe installment that wasn’t as jam-packed, compelling and exciting. While it deserves an applause, it could also pose as a challenge when dealing with viewers’ expectations for the next films.

The Hunger Games saga has become even more interesting and boggling. Catching Fire has truly set the intriguing route for the remaining chapters of the popular saga. And it seems that we may not be able to wait long enough for that.

Rating: 3.5