Everyone knows about The Hunger Games. After all, it is a billion dollar franchise with tons of fans. Millions upon millions of people have read the books, and just as many saw the first movie, which came out in March of last year. But a new day arrived a few short weeks ago. A day that many of the fans had been waiting for since just after The Hunger Games came out. Nov. 22, which was also known as the day that Catching Fire, the second installment in the Hunger Games series, exploded in theaters.
Catching Fire shows us Katniss shortly after her victory in the last Hunger Games, when she is preparing to embark on a victory tour that takes her all around the districts. Suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, Katniss is struggling to cope with the fact that she killed and lost friends in the Hunger Games. Right before leaving District Twelve, she discovers that not everyone was fooled by her acted love for Peeta, and many have taken it as a sign of rebellion against the Capitol. President Snow (played by Donald Sutherland) tells her she needs to reinstate peace in the Districts if she wants her family to survive. The result is a mind blowing sequel that is a big improvement over the Hunger Games
With a new director–Francis Lawrence–a more chilling tone, and great acting, Catching Fire sparked, and was molded into an instant hit. Many of the fans were disappointed to see the first movie had shaking camera work and not enough detail. Catching Fire has made up for the slips in The Hunger Games.
This movie demonstrates how amazing a movie can be if the director is smart enough to stick to the story line shown in the books. Unlike the Percy Jackson series, The Golden Compass, The Last Airbender, or Eragon, this is an intelligent rendition of a wonderful book with many loyal fans.
The exceptional acting skills shown by Liam Hemsworth (Gale Hawthorne), Woody Harrelson, ( Haymitch Abernathy), Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen) and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark) stunned many of the attendees that went to the movie. They accurately portray the pain and suffering that each character has to go through, and the combination of talents makes for a more amazing movie than anyone expected.
With the stage set for an amazing two part sequel, Catching Fire has earned the respect of many people all around the world.