Last winter I had several people tell me over and over again that I needed to read the Hunger Games, a trilogy where sometime in the future kids are made to kill each other in an arena. That's what I got out of their synopsis, anyway, and I was incredibly turned off. I reread both my Anne of Green Gables and my Little Women instead and life was good.
Then, one day in spring, I actually found myself with nothing that I had to do for an entire afternoon. It was unbelievable - these moments come but once in a blue moon for me. I turned my head and there, sitting ever so serendipitously, was The Hunger Games. I had picked up the first one at the used book store for 50 cents one day thinking that someday, if I ever wanted to try it, this was a good price to do it at. So, I picked it up and started reading.
I.
Devoured. The Hunger Games! There was no stopping me until I had read
all three books - I read all night long. I read all 3 books in 2 days (it
would have been one day if I hadn't had to stay up all night after
reading the first, counting down the hours until the library would open the
next morning). I rented the movie The Hunger Games that same day
also and was thoroughly excited to see this fantastic book put on screen.
What
a disappointment that first movie was. I mean, I’ve seen worse movies and
I did enjoy several parts/aspects of the movie (like the actors!). But shaky cam, too-quick views of
characters faces (meaning that we didn't get to see/feel real emotion), and
HUGE departures from the book made for a disappointed Hunger Games fan.
However, keeping in mind that I did like parts of it and I really liked the
cast, AND the second book was my favorite anyway, I became very excited for the
release of the movie Catching Fire. Then, good fortune smiled on me and
Francis Lawrence grabbed the reins of this film. Then I REALLY couldn't
wait to see it - HOORAY!
Three
days before the premiere of Catching Fire I reread the series, got REALLY
psyched up to see
When the movie was over, I was SO OVERWHELMED WITH HOW AWESOME IT WAS THAT I WANTED TO WATCH IT AGAIN INSTANTLY!!! Now,
the movie was SO amazing, fantastic, fabulous, riveting, etc. that I DID see
it again five days later. My feelings
held true and I’m still as in love with this movie after watching it a second
time as I was after the first. Believe
me, if I wasn’t spending money on Christmas presents for Hannah Jean right now,
I’d be back at that theater THIS weekend for a third go-round (thanks a lot,
Hannah! ;-) just kidding - I love you). Since I like it so much and I’m
so excited about it, I’ll just give you some specifics about why I like it so
much, shall I? And I'm pretty sure there's no spoilers in here so plow forward!
1. Francis Lawrence:
He has been added to my list of heroes for his dedication to staying true to the book while still telling a great story through cinema. Not everything happened in the movie in exactly the same way that it did in the book but when he did make changes out of necessity those changes still reflected the essence of the story and were done so well that I was quite pleased. He inserted some little extra things in there, like exchanges between Effie and Haymitch and I LOVED it (honestly, who wouldn't want a whole lot more of Effie and Haymitch?!)! There were entire dialogue scenes that were word for word FROM the BOOK - and since I loved the book, this was fantastic!
2. Filming Style:
I didn't feel like getting sick watching this one because Francis Lawrence (bless him) took a different approach from the shaky cam style we endured in the last movie. The filming was much smoother and it really reflected the darkness and hopelessness that is ever so present in Panem. It lent a very serious tone to the film, which was very important. Also, the camera was allowed to linger on people's faces and give us a lot more emotion. I felt SO much more for the characters in this movie because I was allowed to feel their emotions with them. Back in the first movie, it didn't matter that these were good actors - we were simply denied the opportunity to dwell on a face and realize the depth of what was going on.
3. The Cast:
All of the great characters returned with the exceptions of Seneca (oh, that facial hair) and Rue (so adorable) and they returned with even better acting skills. Jennifer Lawrence is still, in my opinion, not an amazing actress but I guess her character doesn't give her a whole lot to work with sometimes so she's partially excused. However, she has improved since the last film! There were very few scenes in Catching Fire when I didn't feel drawn against my will into her emotions because she wasn't doing a great job of portraying them (the tower scene at the beginning, for example, could have been done a bit better). On a very positive note, both when Katniss watched the Quarter Quell announcement and then during the reaping, I was thoroughly impressed with the depth she brought to the emotions going on then - it was fantastic! In fact, the reaping scene is one of my favorites in the entire movie! Josh Hutcherson and Woody Harrelson deliver very well (obviously) and Elizabeth Banks portraying Effie, a fabulous character, is allowed one of her more human moments - the emotions she brings to the reaping absolutely tops it off. It is utterly fantastic. And then in the movie there's Ceasar - OH how I love Ceasar's laugh, hahaha!
Beyond a great returning cast, so many great new characters arrive! Jeffrey Wright as Beetee was just great - I wish that he would read audiobooks that I could buy and listen to. What a great voice! Sam Claflin as Finnick did very well - I thought it was a good fit. Jena Malone did an EXCELLENT Johanna - she was tough as nails, obnoxious, and sarcastic, but you still could tell that she had a bit of a heart somewhere in there.
I could go on and on talking about this movie for a very long time because there is just so much about this movie that was right on target. I was completely caught up in what was going on, there were no slow, boring moments (well, except for when Katniss is filling up the bowl with snow, I thought, "I'd be out there, one scoop to fill it up, and I'd be right back in there - you are taking your TIME, Katniss!", and I was emotionally caught up in what was happening to the characters. The story has developed to a great point here in the middle of the trilogy and I just love the way it plays out. At this point, there's a great story shaping up with the Capitol and President Snow (Donald Sutherland is PERFECT for this role!), the groundwork for a revolution is being set up, we've got Effie (a pure, sold out product of the Capitol) rethinking what's going on in this world, there's less pity and more respect for Peeta, we are happy that Katniss is finally being honest with Peeta and is willing to be his real friend, *sigh*
If it wasn't midnight and if I didn't have to get up early in the morning and go to work I might write more.
But for now, this is me saying that Catching Fire is AMAZING and if you haven't seen it yet, DO IT NOW!
Please. :-)
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