Back in September 2011, a friend loaned me the first book in The Hunger Games trilogy. I quickly became a devotee, speeding through all three books and counting the minutes until the first movie premiered. You can relive all of my initial reactions here:
- Read: The Hunger Games
- Read: Catching Fire and Mockingjay
- Premiere: The Hunger Games
- Movie Musings: The Hunger Games
Tonight I went with two friends to see the second installment of the movie adaptations, Catching Fire. As the opening scene unfolded I felt like I was being reunited with old friends. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, Liam Hemsworth as Gale, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Woody Harrelson as Haymitch.
The story picks up with Katniss and Peeta getting ready for the victory tour through all twelve districts.
Before they begin their lap, President Snow pays Katniss a visit and delivers a very threatening message.
One of the things I loved so much about the books, but I think comes through even stronger in the films in the tug-of-war for Katniss' heart between Gale and Peeta. When she is alone in scenes with either one of them you sincerely believe that is the guy she wants to be with. Until the next scene with the opposite character. And then back again.
The biggest laughs continued to come from Haymitch, Elizabeth Banks' wildly dressed Effie Trinket and perhaps my favorite character in the franchise, Hunger Games host Caesar Flickman. Is Stanley Tucci fantastic in this role or what? Purple eyebrows and all.
With this movie I was particularly looking forward to the casting of the winning tributes. I had my hesitations about Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair, but in the end, he was actually quite perfect. As was Jena Malone as Johanna Mason and Jeffrey Wright as Beetee.
I was also looking forward to how they would bring the clock themed arena to life and it was even more frightening than I remembered.
I really have to hand it to the creative minds behind Catching Fire because even though I have read all three books and I already know what happens (and who lives and who dies) I was genuinely scared the entire time they were in the arena. I am talking, I pulled my coat up over my face, put my hands over my eyes and regularly turned away in fear. I had to keep telling myself over and over again, "It's ok, you know what happens."
In the final scene where the camera zooms in on Katniss' eyes, did that remind anyone else of the final shot in Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part I when Bella's eyes go from human to vampire? It felt identical to me.
When we walked out after the two and a half hours, one of my friends asked, "So, what did you think?" to which I replied, "I was terrified the entire time."
It is such a rarity when a movie is as good as the book, but Catching Fire absolutely delivers.
Now we wait for the next film, Mockingjay - Part I (yes, they are breaking it up into two movies).
Until then, may the odds be ever in your favor.
*All images courtesy of The Hunger Games Explorer.
