Credible Credits
Year: 2013
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Woody Harrelson
Tagline: Remember Who the Enemy Is
Synopsis: With rebellion percolating in the Districts, President Snow declares the Quarter Quell, where past victors -- including Katniss and Peeta -- must compete against each other.
Synopsis: With rebellion percolating in the Districts, President Snow declares the Quarter Quell, where past victors -- including Katniss and Peeta -- must compete against each other.
Review
I suppose I should start once again with the disclaimer that I haven't read the books. That said, perhaps the highest compliment I can pay Catching Fire is that it didn't feel like an adaptation. It just felt like a continuation of the previous movie (which did feel like an adaptation and I had to ask a friend to explain a few details that made no sense). Anyway, the point is, I went into the movie not knowing what to expect or how things would end.
The movie was fantastic. It was stronger in just about every way than the previous film (and I liked the previous film). There was a lot more depth to this one. I felt like we got to know and understand the characters a lot better. We got to truly see the toll the previous Hunger Games has taken on Katniss. And despite being a very lengthy film, it was well paced. I felt involved and on the edge of my seat the entire time, wondering how things would pan out.
Catching Fire is very much about cost. So many of the characters -- both major and minor -- are beginning to see the world as it really is. While on the Victor's Tour, Haymitch tells Katniss and Peeta they are supposed to be distractions from the real problems. But they aren't successful at being distractions. Instead they have become symbols of hope. People have discovered that the Capitol is not invulnerable. But since the Capitol is still strong, any resistance, any rebellion is quickly and brutally crushed. Yet character after character demonstrates their willingness to risk, and if needs be pay, the cost for what they believe in. I can't say anything more here without creating spoilers.
Overall the film was fantastic. Days later I'm still mulling over things that were said or done. The visuals were outstanding and the soundtrack was perfect as well. I look forward to the next installment.
*** Spoiler Section ***
It seemed clear fairly early on that at least some of the tributes had decided to not play "the game" and were instead primarily interested in preserving Katniss and/or Peeta as symbols of hope and rebellion. I actually started getting a little frustrated with Katniss for not catching on. Character after character, from the old man in District 11 to Cinna to Mags to Johanna, showed that they understood what was really at stake and that certain things were worth dying for. It was clear Cinna was going to die as soon as the dress transformed (which was awesome, by the way). He knew what he was doing and what message he was sending. He must have known there would be repercussions. But Katniss, she's still myopically trying to play the game and survive.
I suppose this isn't so much a qualm with the film as the story itself. Maybe I'm just used to a different type of hero. I read somewhere that a hero is not one who wins the prize, a hero is one who pays the price. President Snow is right, Katniss is still only focused on her own survival and the survival of those closest to her. She fails to see any bigger picture. Even Prim seemed to understand that there were things more important than mere survival. At least to Katniss' credit she was willing to sacrifice herself for Peeta.
The movie was fantastic. It was stronger in just about every way than the previous film (and I liked the previous film). There was a lot more depth to this one. I felt like we got to know and understand the characters a lot better. We got to truly see the toll the previous Hunger Games has taken on Katniss. And despite being a very lengthy film, it was well paced. I felt involved and on the edge of my seat the entire time, wondering how things would pan out.
Catching Fire is very much about cost. So many of the characters -- both major and minor -- are beginning to see the world as it really is. While on the Victor's Tour, Haymitch tells Katniss and Peeta they are supposed to be distractions from the real problems. But they aren't successful at being distractions. Instead they have become symbols of hope. People have discovered that the Capitol is not invulnerable. But since the Capitol is still strong, any resistance, any rebellion is quickly and brutally crushed. Yet character after character demonstrates their willingness to risk, and if needs be pay, the cost for what they believe in. I can't say anything more here without creating spoilers.
Overall the film was fantastic. Days later I'm still mulling over things that were said or done. The visuals were outstanding and the soundtrack was perfect as well. I look forward to the next installment.
*** Spoiler Section ***
It seemed clear fairly early on that at least some of the tributes had decided to not play "the game" and were instead primarily interested in preserving Katniss and/or Peeta as symbols of hope and rebellion. I actually started getting a little frustrated with Katniss for not catching on. Character after character, from the old man in District 11 to Cinna to Mags to Johanna, showed that they understood what was really at stake and that certain things were worth dying for. It was clear Cinna was going to die as soon as the dress transformed (which was awesome, by the way). He knew what he was doing and what message he was sending. He must have known there would be repercussions. But Katniss, she's still myopically trying to play the game and survive.
I suppose this isn't so much a qualm with the film as the story itself. Maybe I'm just used to a different type of hero. I read somewhere that a hero is not one who wins the prize, a hero is one who pays the price. President Snow is right, Katniss is still only focused on her own survival and the survival of those closest to her. She fails to see any bigger picture. Even Prim seemed to understand that there were things more important than mere survival. At least to Katniss' credit she was willing to sacrifice herself for Peeta.
Quotable Quotes
- "Any last advice?" "Stay alive." -- Katniss and Haymitch
- "Tick tock." -- Wiress
- "So it's you and a syringe against the Capitol? See, this is why no one lets you make the plans." -- Haymitch
ISFS
Katniss is pretty dense, and that's definitely one way that the movies are true to the books (which you should read, and I have them for you to borrow). I know you say that you have a problem with the story rather than its execution, but I think there is room for many kinds of protagonists in the movie/book world. And I don't really consider her a hero, I think she is a protagonist. (Spoiler: she comes to an awareness of the larger picture and she is willing to do her part as a fighter but she always chafes under the weight of being a figurehead. She truly has greatness thrust upon her; she never, never wanted it, and I actually think she is like most people in that respect. Most of us would much rather be left out of the limelight and live peaceful lives, responsible for no more than our own families and friends. Spoiler over.)
ReplyDeleteAnyhow, I quite liked the movie. It's one of the very few I've spent the money on to actually watch in a theater and I think the last one I did so for was the first Hunger Games, which I did not really like. This one was excellent. I don't really pay attention to such things but I heard the movie had a new director. I am sure that made a difference, and I felt that whoever makes such decisions made much wiser decisions about what to include and exclude. The first movie tried to hard to be faithful to the book that they kind of missed the forest for the trees. This one was nice a forest-y with just enough trees to satisfy book fans.