Film Delicacy

THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE

Hi Bookworms! I finally got the time to watch Catching Fire last night and I'm not disappointed! The second instalment of this epic trilogy is an improvement from the first movie. It continues from the end of The Hunger Games where our star-crossed lover, Katniss and Peeta (or Peeniss for those fans out there; no pun intended) become the victors of the 74th Hunger Games. In Catching Fire, Katniss and Peeta has to participate in the 75th Hunger Games aka Quarter Quell. Quarter Quell happens every 25 years of the Hunger Games and the Capitol will add a twist in the Quarter Quell. This time the tributes from each districts will be taken from the pool of the existing victors. Since the only female victor from District 12 is Katniss, she has to become a tribute again while Peeta volunteer in the stead of Haymitch.

Girl Power!

Katniss and Peeta were the Victor Tribute of District 12

In our previous post about Catching Fire, the overall casting for the new characters introduced  are discussed such as Finnick and Johanna. After watching the movie, I'm very satisfied with Enobaria (she's really feral!), Mags (she's so sweet and have an amazing heart), and Plutarch Heavensbee (he has this sly vibe that suits the character). I'm not too keen on Finnick and Johanna's portrayals; very different from what I had in mind for two of my favourites in the book.While Sam Claflin had definitely hit the gym and packed some serious muscles, his Finnick came off a bit creepy for my taste. I was so looking forward to the Sugar Cube part where he met Katniss for the first time but it was lackluster and well, strange. Johanna was an entirely different matter. Jena Malone's portrayal of Johanna was just okay; not as good as I had imagined but fared better that Claflin's Finnick. I love a strong female character where she doesn't need the saving; instead she saves the boy. Johanna was that kind of girl minus saving the boy part. In the book, Johanna was sarcastic and snarky. Yes, she can be a full blown b*tch but I seriously love that girl. Whereas in the film, Johanna was a little tad too loud but I got to applaud Malone for getting away with two f-bombs during the movie. Even if she's not exactly the Johanna in the book, I still love the Johanna by Jena Malone. She is a real bad-ass chick. Brash and i-don't-give-a-damn attitude; especially when she strip naked in the elevator, it's so hilarious.

Johanna waiting for her turn to be evaluated 

The 75th Hunger Games arena shaped like a clock

I absolutely love the arena design; it's lush yet dangerous with hidden secrets in the tropical forest. I almost cried when the Morphing from District 6 died. Another touching highlight from the film was when Katniss made her heartfelt speech about Rue. Looking at the picture of Rue and the faces of her family is just too much; I shed a few tears in silence (and I'm not ashamed of it). As always, the main cast such as Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch deserve a standing ovation. Effie managed to make me laugh and go "awww" when she told Katniss and Peeta that they deserve better. Cinna was, again, terrific as usual; his trademark gold eyeliner was intact and I wonder where I can get that..

A symbol of Katniss: Mockingjay on Fire

In the end, Catching Fire ranked higher than The Hunger Games, particularly the directing by Francis Lawrence; it was intense and nerve-wrecking. The Hunger Games had an awful film directing (the camera runs along with the Tributes and it makes the whole thing confusing; for all I know, they were running then suddenly pierced by a spear or sword or knife or whatever weapon in the film..). In Catching Fire, the colours and scene feels different in each districts; cold in District 12, eerie in District 11, and extravagant in the Capitol. So two thumbs up for Francis Lawrence! Now, all we have to do is wait for Mockingjay Part 1, with initial release on November 2014. Let's cross our fingers and hope the Mockingjay will come out great.