Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2)Suzanne Collins
defies categorization
Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem. (IMDb)
IS THAT NOT THE COOLEST MOVIE COVER YOU HAVE EVER SEEN??? In fact, the sheer coolness of this movie was the cause of my several loud and dramatic deaths in the movie theater (once again, I apologize, innocent-moviegoers-who-had-the-misfortune-to-sit-near-me). Luckily, my friends and several other crazy fans were right there with me on the freaking out.
What can I say? Google Catching Fire pictures and you'll be blown away by the astounding beauty and badassness of the stills. The entire 146 minutes were comprised of intense awesomeness- GOD, THE TRIBUTE PARADE. When I saw Katniss, I sent up a prayer that went something like this. "Dear Lord, may I one day look at sick as that. Thank you."
AND THE LINES. Never before have I encountered a movie that was SO TRUE TO THE BOOK. All the dialogues in the beginning were done word for word. I was practically drowning in happy tears.
NOT TO MENTION THE ACTING. Oh, the acting. Seven words: THE FACES DURING THE JOHANNA STRIP SCENE.
Something I was not expecting but ultimately happy about was how EMOTIONAL the movie was. The deaths. Finnick's speech in the Ceasar interview. Everything Peeta. But teary wasn't the only thing I felt- the anger, the pain, and plenty of fear. I did not think I would be as emotionally drawn in as I was and I hold that to the extreme credit of the makers. Also, the movie had it's fair share of laughter, not to worry(;
(Haymitch, Peeta, Effie, and Ceasar. *bows down in worship*)
Guess what? No annoying soundtrack in the background! Not that there was in the first movie, but you never know these days. (I'm looking at you, City of Bones)
Another thing I loved were the scenes with President Snow and his granddaughter. What happens in movies is that they can't always communicate the characters' thoughts and conclusions, and therefore resort to disconnected verbal explanations or just omitting important details. These brilliant, few-seconds-a-scene interludes helped us understand what was happening outside the arena and Snow's building anger. Pure genius, the whole thing.
Teeny nitpick: The scene where Katniss dances with Plutarch in the Capitol on the Victory Tour happened, so what was the problem showing us the Mockingjay watch, huh? I mean, otherwise, why show that bit?
So, um, watch this movie (like I need to tell you- you obviously went to see it on your own, RIGHT??) I'm sooo getting this on DVD.
Rating:
ETA: In my post-movie frenzy I completely forgot to mention the most powerful and well done scene I have ever witnessed: The moment when they found out they were going back into the arena. Flash from Katniss to Peeta to Haymitch to running into the woods to running to Katniss to running to Haymitch to shock to fear to insane mess. Also, right after when she finally goes to Haymitch and the whole scene where he's like what does it say that he was here asking the same thing about you 45 minutes ago? And she'd all like I came here for a drink and he's like finally, something I can help you with and etcetera. I'm not looking forward to Mockingjay. I don't know how I'll survive it.
