Release Date: 21 November 2013
Genre: Science Fiction/Adventure
Running Time: 146 mins
Director: Francis Lawrence
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutchinson, Elizabeth Banks
If you spend your waking hours bashing teen-oriented fantasy franchises like the Twilight saga, you may want to take a step back before you say anything negative about The Hunger Games saga. Undoubtedly one of the most important films in the 21st century, the Hunger Games saga will be a meaningful film to people of all ages.
Last year, we saw the first installment of Suzanne Collins’ science fiction fantasy novel come to life, with the uber-talented Jennifer Lawrence taking on one of the most critically-acclaimed character in film – Katniss Everdeen. The Hunger Games takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in the nation of Panem, where boys and girls between ages 12 and 18 must take part in the Hunger Games, a televised annual event in which the “tributes” will fight to the death. The last man (or woman) standing, will be crowned the victor. Katniss, and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutchinson) were chosen as tributes for the coal-mining District 12.
Catching Fire takes off from Katniss and Peeta’s success of being the victors of the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Despite her victory, Katniss is still terrorized by flashbacks from the battle, but her nightmares turn into a reality when she is forced back into the fighting arena after the authorities of announce a Quarter Quell in lieu with the 75th celebration of the annual Hunger Games. The Quarter Quell is more terrifying than the last Hunger Games now that the tributes are are entirely made up of former champions.
Catching Fire is a film that’s well told and structured, and much like V for Vendetta, the story goes according to the theme of one woman’s ability to change an entire race. Catching Fire gives us a clearly view of Panem being the realization of a Marxist ideology. You have the citizens of the districts as your proletariats, and of course, the fashionable citizens of the Capitol who represent the bourgeoisies.
Katniss unintentionally starts a revolution through her compassion, sacrifice and survival from the last Hunger Games. Her vulnerability inspires people of the other districts to finally rebel against the government for more political control. It started with her affection towards Rue from District 11 in the first movie, but you start to see more of it in Catching Fire.
The movie isn’t just an adventure flick revolving around one woman’s love triangle or her need to survive. Catching Fire is more important than that, and the production team made sure that the importance of Katniss’ role in the rebellion prevailed in the film. The love triangle between her, Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and Peeta had its moments, and while the romance did play a small part in the story’s build-up, it fortunately did not distract the core element of the story – survival, courage and hope.
Katniss is easily one of the most important fictional characters to date. Perhaps it’s because we see a little bit of Katniss in ourselves – yearning fiery courage to stand for what we believe in, physical strength, and true affection.
Catching Fire deserves everyone’s attention, no matter what your age. Despite being a teen-novel franchise, the story line is easily relatable with its complexities and honest story-telling.
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keT5CRhhy84
