After one of the most successful movies of 2012 brought her to global acclaim, she turned around and won an Oscar- becoming the second-youngest actress (22) ever to win Best Actress. Now, she has become America's sweetheart, and she deserves equal praise for her latest blockbuster performance.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is vastly superior to the franchise's first installment, drastically improving on all the qualities that made The Hunger Games stall. That's right, that means no more shaky-cam, more political thrills, and all the teenage angst you can possibly hope for.
Director Francis Lawrence, taking over the reigns from Gary Ross, here crafts a masterful action picture, one that is both highly intelligent and breathtakingly epic.
Following almost immediately after the events of the first movie, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) struggle to live in a world that supports the brutal slaughter of children. President Snow (Donald Sutherland), threatened by the image of hope Katniss symbolizes, tries to convince the "girl on fire" to speak on their upcoming Victory Tour about the glories of the Capital and the current regime. Katniss initially appeases him, but a chain of events soon sends Katniss to the breaking point with the Capital- and it's cold-blooded leader.
Those who were waiting for more political themes will not be disappointed; the film addresses issues of government control, citizen responsibility, and the natures of honor and loyalty. Viewers will witness a more fleshed-out story, and the dialogue portions are gripping to watch.
The cast is once again on par, and are developed significantly more than in the first movie. The supporting players are in top form, and it's almost impossible to ignore Liam Hemsworth's Gale, Woody Harrelson's Haymitch, as well as newcomers like Sam Claflin as Finnick and Jena Malone as Johanna. Stanley Tucci provides entertaining comic relief as Caesar Flickman, the eccentric Hunger Games announcer.
The two villains are also portrayed with shocking intensity, not seen since the Harry Potter franchise ended a few years ago. Donald Sutherland emits poisonous radiation, literally turning wine into a blood-like fluid. Phillip Seymour Hoffmann is equally menacing, with a snake-like charm that evokes his slimy nature.
But it is Jennifer Lawrence that stands above the rest. She takes Katniss to crazy new heights, elevating her character in ways that audiences have come to expect from the Oscar winner. It's also fun to see her incorporate some of the personality she's come to be known for in her hilarious interviews. Lawrence is an extraordinarily talented actress, and that's all that can be said.
Catching Fire goes beyond simple action-film cliches, instead harnessing both social allegory and striking prose to make a brilliant work of cinema. Francis Lawrence exceeds expectations in cinematography, editing, and sound.
The production design is on an epic scale, with roaring plains in one scene and high-rise buildings in the next. The coolest set, however, is the place those familiar with the book will be excited by- and it's beyond dazzling to see. The spot-on special effects only add to the awesome production value.
For fans of The Hunger Games franchise, action movies, political thrillers, Jennifer Lawrence, or fun times at the movie theaters, go see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Every revolution begins with a spark, and this one begins with a bang.
Five out of five stars.
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