Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actresses in Hollywood have achieved the experience of Jennifer Lawrence. Following her rise to recognition during the 2000’s, Lawrence has become a feminist icon. Whether it’s teens facing dangers, eccentric dancers or powerful heroines, Lawrence has played countless bold characters. Arguably, Lawrence’s strength as an actress has often been her likability. She is one of those actresses with the rare abilities to elevate every movie she’s in through her sheer presence. By her abilities to portray heroines which are likeable, Lawrence has become an iconic actress that has proven to be powerful. Shining a bright light in darkness, Lawrence has transformed into one of the most adored actresses in entertainment. A feminist icon in Hollywood, Lawrence has stood a test of time as an icon audiences have valued. Throughout her long-lasting career, Lawrence has created many unforgettable movies which are without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Lawrence and admire all the movies she has made throughout her career. However, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” may be my favourite. Since its release in 2013, Jennifer Lawrence’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. With the second movie in the Hunger Games franchise, Lawrence did an amazing job of adapting a celebrated book on the big-screen. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest book adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Jennifer Lawrence, who did a phenomenal job of playing a legendary literary heroine. Ultimately, what makes “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a strong message about the dangers of government corruption which will resonate with everyone. Unlike most book adaptations, it tackles universal themes everyone will relate to. A riveting adaptation of an iconic book, there are several reasons why “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is a film worth seeing.
Based on the celebrated book, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” follows Katniss on her journey to battle government corruption that poses danger. Jennifer Lawrence embodies Katniss Everdeen, a young woman seeking to engage in a competition. After conquering the first Hunger Games competition, Katniss has become a beloved icon in the District. Grieving the loss of victors she couldn’t save, Katniss is all but ready to leave a competition which has proven to be grave. However, Katniss’ desire to retire is threatened when she’s called back into action in the competition. Assisted by her long-time companion Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), she embarks on a journey to participate in a tense competition that cause trauma. As all the odds are stacked against her favour, Katniss begins questioning whether she would ever be able to overcome disaster. Facing with an excruciating dilemma, Katniss begins to question whether she would ever be able to achieve victories in games causing trauma.
Francis Lawrence is a newcomer towards the stories of hunger games. Before he directed “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, Lawrence hadn’t ever made a book adaptation before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt an iconic book about teenage girls embarking on journeys to engage in intense competitions but he succeeded immensely. Using breathtaking visuals, Lawrence captures an adolescent girl on a journey to confront games which prove to be challenging. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Lawrence successfully uses handheld camera to capture the hardships of teenage girls in completions that face trauma. For instance, the handheld camera enhances the hunger games competition scene. During this unforgettable scene, Katniss is drawn into the games for the second time in an anxiety-inducing situation. One appreciates handheld cinematography capturing the hardships of teenage girls in tense competitions. Handheld cinematography is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Paul Greengrass’ “Captain Phillips” suggested clearly, handheld visuals enhance movies about ship hijackings. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through strong visuals, Lawrence honours a celebrated book about teens that are terrifying.
Another commendable aspect of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Lawrence effectively stages action sequences that illustrate women rising against rebellious governments. Throughout the movie, Lawrence stages innovative action sequences that empower women. For instance, the action sequences elevate the whipping scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Katniss stands up towards a peace maker which tortures Gale. One admires action sequences empowering women. Through inventive action, Lawrence captures the hardships teenagers in games go through. Moreover, the music score is superb. James Newton Howard’s music is spectacular. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which teenagers in painful competitions bear. Through bold production-design, Lawrence honours a renowned book about teenagers in intense competitions that face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is a literature adaptation which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully employs silence to demonstrate the tensions faced by teenagers in intense completions. Lawrence’s screenwriting strength is his ability to capture hardships faced by teenage girls experiencing competitions through silence. For instance, the silence elevates the competition scene. During this unforgettable scene, Katniss is shocked running out of words when she is chosen to participate once again in the hunger games. One appreciates sequences of silence which capture hardships teenage girls experiencing competitions go through. Minimal dialogue is a tricky technique to use in movies. Most movies often rely on dialogue as a way of keeping the audience entertained. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away” suggested, sequences of silence elevate classic dramas about survival. Nevertheless, it worked immensely in this movie. Through an excellent screenplay, Lawrence demonstrates tensions faced by teenagers in commemorated competitions enduring a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Jennifer Lawrence delivers one of her greatest performances as Katniss Everdeen. Lawrence achieved appreciation for portraying the girl on fire in “The Hunger Games”. With “Catching Fire”, however, she took on her most emotional role. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, emotional and vulnerable in her most iconic role. If the previous film had had depicted Katniss as an invincible hero, the sequel gave her a chance to showcase strong emotional vulnerability. With bold expressions, she embodies the angst, desperation and fury of a woman developing a commemorated rebellion against the government. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actresses working in Hollywood today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Jennifer Lawrence, the supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of appreciation. Josh Hutcherson is fantastic, capturing the determination of a teenage boy embarking a mission to engage in a competition which has repercussions. Woody Harrelson is wonderful, bringing humanity to a mentor which guides his pupils to become victors in a competition involving adversity. Lastly, Donald Sutherland merits appreciation. As President Snow, he brings an air of menace towards the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” isn’t a movie without flaws. If there’s a drawback toward the movie, it suffers from an uneven pace. Lawrence’s decisions to incorporate political subplots into the movie about the government is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty decision, scenes focusing upon President Snow’s political operations aren’t as engaging as Katniss’ journey to discover her identity. Whereas this political subplot suited David Yates’ “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, it clashes with this movie. At worst, it feels out of place in a movie about competitions. Therefore, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” can’t quite celebrate a book that readers admire.
Nevertheless, fans of Jennifer Lawrence would enjoy “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and so will movie-goers seeking entertainment. An awe-inspiring adaptation of a celebrated book that’s iconic, it celebrates a fantastic actress.
Nearly 15 years following the publication of a groundbreaking book about rebellious teenage girls engaging in tense competitions to defeat governments that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder about an actress that has gained a huge following earning worldwide recognition for her abilities to portray larger-than-life characters which are compelling whose movies that always have the odds in their favour are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 