The Hunger Games continues with “Catching Fire” and as the title suggests, the movie does just that.  The compelling adventure starts out with a bang, continues with non-stop action and leaves you hanging for the next installment.  The main cast is back and they put on a great show recreating their characters for this sequel.  On the downside, even through the CGI is brilliant, it gets too heavy-laden and almost animated, leaving very little to the imagination.  Most audiences will walk away from the experience with an empty feeling being left hanging in the middle of the battle.

When the story begins we find Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) on a victory tour throughout the 12 districts.  At the end of each speech, some district residents give the three finger rebellion salute and are either shot or carted away.  The tour completed, Katniss and Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) get back together and are at odds over the pseudo love relationship that Katniss and Peeta are displaying in order to appease President Snow (Donald Sutherland).

The 75 anniversary of the Hunger Games approaches quickly and President Snow, feeling like the previous winners from the districts are getting too much power over their districts, decides to change the reaping.  Each of the districts has to be represented by former winners who will fight to the death in a newly constructed dome. Filled with danger at every turn, Katniss and Peeta form an alliance with other districts for survival.

Peeta (Hutcherson) and Katniss (Lawrence) give the rebellion 3 finger salute after being introduced by Effie Trinket (Banks)

The battle begins and director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) puts every contestant to the test throwing some of the most diabolical mechanisms in their path.  Lawrence has his crew use every tool in their computers to produce very menacing obstructions at every turn.  President Snow wants death to the rebellion starting with Katniss and Francis Lawrence creates the feeling that he’ll get his way.

Computers take center stage in Catching Fire working with a copious amount of visual effects. At Capitol City there are long rows of terraces filled with wealthy citizens as the contestants ride by in their chariots.  The CGI becomes even more prominent as they enter the great hall’s colorfully illuminated auditorium for the introduction of the fighters and the revealing of Katniss’s gown. The train that Katniss and Peeta travel in during their victory tour has been turned into a speeding hotel with lavish rooms and scenic views. Under the fighter’s new dome its CGI diarrhea with laser traps, raging waters and a community of fierce baboons being barriers that the competitors have to traverse while fighting off their adversaries.

Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) introduces Katniss in her new gown

The main cast gives excellent performances under the direction of Francis Lawrence. Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks are back at what they do best providing characters that are memorable and exciting. Jennifer keeps Katniss cool and calculating with her head in a game she knows how to play well.  Hutcherson takes Peeta to a new level and we find he does have the courage necessary to keep Katniss safe even it takes his life in return.  Hemsworth shows his darker side with Gale turning from Katniss over his inner jealousy of Peeta. Harrelson’s character has come down to Earth putting the comedy aside and getting more serious about the future of Panem.  Topping the charts with an hysterical performance Elizabeth Banks tips the scales as the zany Effie Trinket.  But she’s slier than a fox and we find her getting closer to the truth about President Snow.

President Snow (Donald Southerland) and Plutarch Heavensbee (Phillip Seymore Hoffman)

Needless to say I enjoyed this adventure more than the first, but cannot wait till the next installment. With the last adventure being cut in two however, I hope that we don’t see a lot of “tent” fillers in the first half like they did in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. But from those who have read the books I get the impression that it’s impossible to ruin a good thing and they have guaranteed I will want more when the next cliff hanger gets revealed.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language. The nearly two and a half hour film flies by so quickly I found myself wanting more, but we’ll just have to wait till 2014 for Mocking Jay Part 1 and 2015 for Mocking Jay Part 2.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  A very good second installment of an exciting adventure. (B)

Additional Film Information:
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, with Stanley Tucci, and Donald Sutherland
Directed by: Francis Lawrence
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language    
Running Time: 2 hrs 26 min
Opening Date: November 22, 2013
Distributed by: Lionsgate