Catching Fire: A Work of Art but Not for the Faint of Heart

MOVIE REVIEW
Stirring Sequel Highlights Dangers of Inequality
By THERESE B.

Sequels are always long anticipated, and with good cause, especially if the previous movie, like The Hunger Games, was a successful hit. Catching Fire continues to catch the widespread attention of many teens as it explores the satirical, futuristic vision of an authoritarian government in conflict with its enslaved populace. Ultimately, Hollywood’s portrayal of the book by Suzanne Collins makes for a fun, yet mature, night out at the movies.

The powerful beginning realistically recalls fearful times, graphically depicting Katniss’ flashbacks from the seventy-fourth games in which she and fellow District Twelve tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) had fought. Having won through a heavy blend of luck and skill, Katniss learns that she must now return to ‘play’ as a checkerboard tribute in the Quarter Quell. She is thrust back into a bloody arena, reopening her healing wounds. Katniss, Peeta and some newly acquired acquaintances show touching companionship in unlikely circumstances, despite the questionable seat-edge quality of their loyalty.

Along with the persuasive acting, Catching Fire presents its freedom versus tyranny motif in a well-portrayed, fluid story-line. The creative depiction of the book’s setting, paired with the tight cast, makes this movie an impressive experience.

Jennifer Lawrence astutely embodies the very figure of the desperate, defiant character from the book through alluring and potent acting on screen. Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark) convincingly portrayed his character's sacrificial love for Katniss, despite the ensuing difficulties.

Another brutally potent character, Johanna Mason (Jenna Mahone) thrusts her way on screen and aids the ‘star crossed lovers,’ with the added help of Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) and Beetee (Jeffrey Wright). These characters, in particular, add spice to many otherwise-arduous scenes.

The chilling, creeping soundtrack tightly matches the plot and lends a tension to the story. The main arena, created with vivid imagination, is well suited to its literary counterpart and is an impressive cinematic achievement, enhancing the story line along with the story cast. The calm, yet deceptively picturesque, scenery administers relief from the continual live-or-die tension.

True to the strong content of the book, the movie has been powerfully translated from a web of words into a powerful visual depiction. Viewers should be warned about this film's incisive imagery, slight graphic detail, minor scattered obscenities, and a few intimate embraces. For those worried about graphic imagery, the filmography has been strategically scattered during the fighting scenes so that it seems slightly choppy, and based on the viewers’ perspectives, it may help or hinder the level of stirring detail. Despite this, the overall themes of Catching Fire hold some congruence with the Christian faith. One prominent message may be the danger of allowing deep disparity between the poor and the wealthy. Most of the trouble in this story stems from the grave inequality in the distribution of wealth in Panem; the Capitol people are rolling in luxuries, while the districts starve.

All in all, the acclaimed sequel Catching Fire presents an exciting story into theatres, threaded with moral themes and targeting a mature young-adult audience