THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
US, 2013, 145 minutes, Colour.
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Liam Hemsworth, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer.
Directed by Francis Lawrence.
It is important to advise audiences intending to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire that it won’t have much impact if they have not seen the initial film. This sequel, the second in the series, takes for granted the characters and actions from the first film.
Audiences familiar with Suzanne Collins’ books were pleased with the film version of The Hunger Games. And many audiences, and critics, were surprised to find how well done the film was and how interesting and entertaining. They won’t be disappointed with Catching Fire.
Although this film runs for almost 2 ½ hours, the filmmakers have relied on audience memory. For instance, there was huge fanfare to introduce the contestants, the tributes from the 12 districts, who would fight in the hunger games, television interviews, lavish costumes, dramatic introductions with spectacle. There is something of this in Catching Fire, but we remember the first film and supply the atmosphere which means that, for the budget, there is only a small presentation of the contestants this time. It is the same with showing the television audience with its costumes, make up, and intense reaction to the contestants.
The familiar characters are back, the opening with Katniss and Gale Hawthorne back in district 12, with the prospect of a victory tour around the districts for the victors of the games. She and Peeta are unwilling. But, there is unease in the districts, the oppressed populations signalling possibilities of revolution. The President, Donald Sutherland, is also scheming to use Katnisss to promote popularity for himself and for the capital. He wants her to foster her public relationship with Peeta, the populace identifying with her in her (alleged and publicised) romance.
The previous organiser of the games has been executed because of his failure to produce an outcome. The new organiser is played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. He collaborates with the President in new games, especially designed for the 75th anniversary of the uprising, with the smart idea that there be no new tributes to fight but rather the previous victors from the various districts participate again.
Which means that for the second part of the film, we have a repeat of Hunger Games, but in quite a different format, dangers, deaths, interesting but a greater spirit of collaboration between some of the contestants. There are some interesting special effects for the dangers and the threats during the games.
Jennifer Lawrence, who, between the two films, won an Academy Award for her performance in The Silver Linings Playbook, is still a strong presence as Katniss. Challenged in her ability for personal relationships, she nevertheless is a sympathetic warrior. Josh Hutcherson is back as Peter, sharing the victory to with Caithness, and showing some smartness in his dealings with the manoeuvres of the President. Liam Hemsworth has a few more appearances this time as the man from the district who loves Katniss. It is a great pleasure to see Woody Harrelson back as the former victor and coach, Haymitch and Elizabeth Banks as the fey and fashion-conscious, Effie Trinket, still managing the victors. And Stanley Tucci once again relishes his role as the hyper-enthusiastic manipulative television compere.
As with the second films in most trilogies, this is a bridging story, anticipating the revolution that must come in the third film, Mockingjay.
The Hunger Games was very successful in novel form. It is very successful in film form. Audiences will be looking forward to the completion of the trilogy.
1. The success of the original film? Popularity? Critical? Audiences identifying with the characters and situations?
2. Suzanne Collins, the young adult audience, the adaptation of the novels, plots and characters? Situations, language?
3. The sequel assuming the first film, no further explanations? Assuming the response to the characters?
4. The Hunger Games world, the uprising 75 years earlier, power in the Capital, the President and his government? Autocracy? The districts and oppression? The effete and comfortable society? The role of television, the power of the compere, the love the pageantry, costume and make up? Spectacle? The games themselves, gladiatorial, the introductions and pageantry, the post-victory tour, morale boosting? yet the seeds of revolution?
5. Katniss at the centre, her age, experience, with Liam, the opening with the hunting and arrows, time for the tour, the plan for the two, leaving home, leaving Liam, Peeta and his being ready? Her surviving the initial games, the love the Peeta, made public, important for the tour, the support of her family, especially her sister? Her mother?
6. The President, his visit, his plans, trying to persuade Katniss, her reaction, his threats, danger for her family, wanting her to convince him of her love for Peeta?
7. The two, the train, Haymatch and Effie? Their role in the past? Effie, her style, grooming, chaperone for the two? The travel on the train? The crowds? The squares and the photos of the dead tributes? Katniss and her speeches, for morale, the cliches, the signs of revolution, the hand gestures? The soldiers intervening, confronting even Katniss, the soldier being persuaded to step back? The President unhappy?
8. Plutarch, Seneca dead because of his failure in the games? Plutarch as adviser, sinister, discussions with the President, persuading the President, having some control, decision-making, the dense, with Katniss and talking with her, his inventions for the dangers of the games? His control of the timing and holding back the President? Katniss and her recovery, discovering Plutarch, and his subversive role?
9. The calling of the Games? Only the past victors to participate? The lottery, the announcements, Haymatch and Peeta volunteering in his place? The attempts to protect Katniss? Sam, the old lady, the older couple and his technical skills, the aggressive couple, the giant contestant, Jane?
10. Going to the Capital, in the train, the luxury? The costume designer, coming again to help Katniss, the dress, the fire, supporting her, his arrest in being taken away?
11. The television compere, the audience, the applause? His grin, his teeth, sensationalising things, his gossip? Controlling the audience? The announcement of the engagement? Is later comments during the games? Sinister character despite his smile?
12. The contestants being present, the procession, the dress of fire, the interviews, Katniss and her personal dress? The response of the crowds?
13. The training, honing skills, making alliances amongst the contestants?
14. The games starting, there being monitored, the television watching, the cannon shots of announcing the death of the contestants?
15. Katniss impeded together, the dangers, Peeta and his being wounded, almost dying, Sam and his helping with the revival? Jane and her anger, yet helping? The older couple, the technology?
16. The dangers of the Games, the baboons in their pursuit, the poison smoke and its transforming the contestants, then needing water for the blisters to disappear? The lightning in the storms? The lake, working out that it was a clock, the timing of the attacks, working out how to survive?
17. The couple, the death of the wife? The couple and the giant attacking? Jane and her help?
18. The ferocity of the baboons, the chases, the pervasive fumes, the contestants running, the old lady sacrificing herself, to save Sam carrying her? The storms and lightning?
19. Katniss, her independence, trust, the trust in Sam? The plan, the fuse, to cut down the electricity, it’s being cut off, disaster?
20. The failure, the danger, Katniss and their seeming to lose?
21. Her waking, Plutarch present, the President, the siege of revolution? The future?
22. Young audiences interested in this kind of heroics, totalitarian society, survival, challenge, revolution?
