Katniss Everdeen may have won the Hunger Games, but the sequel quickly establishes that things are worse than ever for her. Katniss finds herself once more competing, but this time against 23 previous winners.
The biggest change from the previous movie is the director. Thankfully, Francis Lawrence maintains the tone established previously by Gary Ross and further expands upon it.
Once more we feel the bleakness of Panam and the sterile, manufactured happiness of the capital and those who live there. However what really comes across here is the sadness of the scenario.
The Hunger Games existing is horrible enough on its own, but Katniss and her fellow victors being forced to compete once again is another level of cruelty.
As with the previous movie, the love triangle aspect is present but not the focus. For Katniss and Peeta, the film portrays the terrible situation they’re in. Katniss is forced to play as a love-sick girl as part of President Snow’s twisted show.
When it came to Katniss’ and Gale’s relationship, I felt it had a very “Romeo and Juliet” feel to it. They may never be together without risking the image Katniss and Peeta have created.
When we finally get to the arena, Katniss finds herself once again fighting for her life alongside Peeta and a few allies. However, it’s not so much the other combatants they’re facing, but the arena itself.
I felt the environmental difficulties that the arena put forth were Katniss’ and her allies’ biggest challenge, the other contestants not making much of an appearance after the games initially begin.
Overall, “The Hunger Games:Catching Fire” is a strong installment in this confident series, and I can’t wait for what’s next to come.