Caitlin Williamson – Special to the Southern News
The title seems to say it all for this sequels success rate, “Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is definitely doing exactly that in the box office! With the origin movie, “Hunger Games,” directed by Gary Ross, released in theaters in 2012, the audience seemed immediately drawn to the fiery characters, Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, Peeta Mellark, starring Josh Hutcherson, and Gale Hawthrone, played by current bachelor, Liam Hemsworth, as well as numerous other hit characters in the survival of the fittest film.
Audience members not only loved the kick-ass adventure scenes and spicy romance triangle, but avid readers of the book series written by Suzanne Collins rave about how well Ross stayed with majority of the books theme.
The first movie scored 7.2 stars out of 10 on popular movie buff website, IMDb, but “Catching Fire” came in strong with a rating of 8.2 out of 10 with only a few days of exposure under this film’s belt.
Book and movie lover, Sally Cubeta, student at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island said, “The second movie may be better than the first. Amazing action, picture, and followed the book accurately. Some movies kill the book and the fans who’ve read these books get turned off. Definitely happy with the outcome!”
The audience seemed pleased with “Catching Fire;” it turned out a “Breaking holiday record” according to Tanya Ghahremani, of Complex Pop Culture, and pulled in $14.9 million in just days!
With our first film ending with the victorious duo Katniss and Peeta, movie goers thought the team was free at last from death ridden fight for life challenge. However, outsmarting the Capitol with their will for life caused an uproar. Our second film brings us to one year after the victory of Katniss and Peeta. President Snow is faced with the fear of an uprising due to Katniss’ decision to die with Peeta in the original “Hunger Games” which brought them both to win. In this he demands a Quarter Quell: an extension of the “Hunger Games” where previous winners compete against one another for the title of reigning champion of the “Hunger Games.”
With the risk at an all time high, challengers being skilled survivors of the same competition she once conquered, as well as all eyes on Peeta and Katniss for being the sole reason this Quarter Quell is even occurring.
Another epic film filled with action, love, twists, and hidden resentment toward Katniss from President Snow, this flick will have you at the edge of your seat.
The screenplay is also co-written by Simon Beaufoy, Michael Arndt, and novelist, Suzanne Collins.
The fans are raving and movie buffers finding little to critique, a definite go see that movie chant seems to be directions viewers to see what all the buzz is about. And remember, may the odds forever by in your favor.
