I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay here and cause all kinds of trouble.
What are the key ingredients for creating a pop culture phenomenon? Is there a perfect recipe for success and, if so, what must you mix in to ensure it will be a surefire hit? In the case of The Hunger Games trilogy the answer is definitely a resounding no. Just when you think you have a formula all figured out, author Suzanne Collins comes along and proves that you don’t need a tidy, happily ever after fairy tale to capture the entire world’s attention. Who could have predicted a book – and now movie series – about a dystopian society where children are forced to fight each other to the death every year would be an international blockbuster, selling more than 23 million books and generating millions upon millions at the box office (and counting).
But unlike other book series that have become colossal movie events, the Hunger Games books don’t sugarcoat things with the promise of love conquering all no matter what the circumstances – it presents a bleak, eerily realistic world where good doesn’t always necessarily triumph over evil. In the latest movie installment of the series, Catching Fire, and this fact is painfully obvious from the very first scene.
At 22, Jennifer Lawrence is already a force to be reckoned with – an acting powerhouse with two Academy Award nominations – and one win – under her belt. Lawrence IS Katniss Everdeen and unlike her sourpuss peers (cough – Kristen Stewart) I am able to separate the bubbly Jennifer we see on the red carpet and in interviews, with the young girl who must do the right thing in order to save future generations to come. Her face is luminous, her expressions spot on – Lawrence is Katniss and I can honestly say I can’t imagine any other actress taking on this challenging role.
A high-caliber cast surrounds her. Donald Sutherland is particularly mincing as the villainous President Snow who will stop at nothing to bring Katniss down. Liam Hemsworth gets a little more screen time in this flick as Katniss’ love interest Gale who is getting frustrated and insecure with the show she has to put on with Peeta, played by Josh Hutcherson. Other standouts returning from their stint on the first movie also include Elizabeth Banks as the over-the-top Effie Trinket and Woody Harrelson as the alcoholic former tribute Haymitch Abernathy.
Acting aside, the special effects are also amazing. The land of Panem– meant to resemble the former United States – is made up of 12 districts, each with their own distinct personalities and director Francis Lawrence has beautifully created each one – down to the Who-ville-like Capitol – with great attention to the details in the book. So often movies that take place in a futuristic world are so CGI-fied you are constantly aware that it’s a fantasyland. Despite a cumbersome scene with some rabid baboons, you feel like you are really there the entire time.
Another beautifully executed part of the movie are the costumes. In a world made up of dark, gray, muted tones, the over-the-top couture of the Capitol’s inhabitants (especially Elizabeth Banks’ constantly changing hair-dos) awakes your senses just when you’ve come to terms with the fact that this flicks is going to be one dark ride.While it’s true some of the scenes seem repetitive of the first movie (more battle training and lots of running from fiery orbs), the sequel does it better. I don’t know if it’s because the audience is now invested in Katniss’ story or it’s just an overall better attempt – but Catching Fire is a flick I can see losing myself in over and over again.
