The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’ movie review

Shooting a story from the 2^nd book in a trilogy can be difficult, the challenge to keep the story rolling while bringing in new excitements to the audience makes it so hard not to fail especially when the previous establishment was a great one. So being the 2^nd installment of Hunger Games trilogy, does The Hunger Games: Catching Fire live up to the huge expectations?

Plot: “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire picks up shortly after The Hunger Games ends, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned home along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Experiencing a post-traumatic stress she tries to go back to a semi-normal life in District 12, however winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a "Victor's Tour" of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering.. Increasingly threatened by Katniss' popularity among the starving masses, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) eventually decides to make the 75th Annual Hunger Games a unique one -- with the 24 Tributes selected among the living victors. Sent once again to the Arena, Katniss and Peeta must make alliances with an eclectic group of former Hunger Games winners to stay alive..”

The Girl on Fire :)

Running at two hours plus, the sequel is pretty comforting as it comes with similar key characters & a familiar sense of how the plot would emerge, so just sit back & watch as the Hunger Games trilogy continue.. (for those who’ve missed the 1st episode, a recap of The Hunger Games is highly recommended before heading for the sequel). Though it seems slightly draggy as new director Francis Lawrence does takes his time setting up an elaborative plot in the 1^st hour, but as a whole the movie did well in delivers thrills, ideas and emotions.. and even though we have seen it before, the moment once the games begins is still my favorite with all those adrenaline pumping scenes, be prepared for dark & violent stabbing, animal attacks, poison, explosion etc.. :)

As a middle installment of trilogies it is unavoidable that the movie does face some second-act problem, however the significantly improved acting, eye catching special effects and satirical action all come together putting up an entertaining sci-fic movie, one that not to be miss by The Hunger games fans. ^^        

Something you don't see in the movie: The 75th Hunger Games Arena. ^^

Rating: 7/10~