So where the 74th Hunger Games spawned heroes of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), the 75th Hunger Games now become a very different scenario.
These two pose a real threat to the Capitol and the control it wields over the Districts. The rebellion that followed after the victory of the two surviving Tributes and the present unrest leads President Snow ( Donald Sutherland) to make rash and far-reaching decisions.
Mainly, the bylaws state that every 25 years there is a new twist to the Hunger Games (who the heck wrote these bylaws anyway?) and this poses an even greater risk to all the Tributes and threatens to destroy our two heroes.
Filmed in New Jersey, Hawaii, Georgia, and Los Angeles, the scenery is incredible. With certain Capitol scenes shot at the Atlanta Mariott Marquis Hotel, and the most incredible sets and staging, this is a true edge-of-your-seat ride which never lets up. It’s just over two hours, but time flies by just like the show.
As most are aware, this film franchise is a result of books written for mainly young women by Suzanne Collins but has shown that The Hunger Games appeals to all audiences, as proved by the cross section of folks that saw this show last weekend.
In fact, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, brought in over $161 million, one of the largest openings ever and the biggest for a November debut.
The old cast is back, the scenes are spectacular, the action is intense and the ending leaves us wanting more.
This Hunger Games is directed, not by Gary Ross, who declined, but by Francis Lawrence, who has done such a remarkable job of crafting a seamless sequel in this incredible series.
This is a must see for anyone who loves the books and the series of films, but this one has a softer side perhaps as our heroes begin to turn the tide of fear into something far more human—but can they survive long enough to see their efforts pay off?
I give The Hunger Games Catching Fire 4 1/2 reels. (Wait ‘til you see the dress!)
