The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

[LowerWolf]

Re: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Saw this tonight. Haven't read the books and while I didn't hate the first one, it's not one of my favorite movies either.

Really liked this one though. Thought it was much better than the first. And I thought the ending (knowing another one is still coming) was perfect.

[Herky]

Re: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

I too have never read the books and really like this, especially the ending. My wife has read all the books and she said this was actually better than the book.

[superjames1992]

Re: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

I saw this a week ago and thought it was really good. I think it was probably better than the first, in fact, as the movie was able to go more in depth than the first movie, where some of the story line was kind of vague (which is often the case when you try to condense a long book into a movie).

That also motivated me to go ahead and read the trilogy of books, which I mowed through in a week. I thought they were pretty good and fairly addicting. It also helped to clarify some of the vagueness of the movies, though I honestly felt the movies did a pretty good job of capturing the books and didn't change the story, aside from a few minor details. When I get going on a series of books or a TV series, there's no stopping me...

I would recommend reading the books. I know some think they are more for teenagers (and specifically girls) and perhaps there is some truth to that (the books aren't necessarily hard to read, for example), but the story is pretty good and I think it explores some interesting topics throughout. Plus, I haven't read a book with that much killing and violence in it in a long time!

Spoiler

I also enjoyed how the books didn't retreat to a clique happy ending. Mockingjay was pretty great in that respect as just about everyone Katniss was close to died, leaving her as a shell of her former self at the end. I guess the end take from the book is that war is hell.

[superjames1992]

Re: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Caught the film and I must say, I'm very very impressed! I liked the first movie but Catching Fire was on a whole 'nother level. I didn't want the movie to end after 2.5hrs. If not for the cliffhanger ending, I'd rate it a 10/10; not that cliffhangers are bad per se but because there could have been a bit more closure and still leave us wanting to see the next movie right away.

That's the way the book ended, though, so I had no problem with it. It was quite the cliff-hanger.

Is the third book going to be split-up into two like most series-enders these days? Saw on IMDB that it will be split into two. Can't wait for Mockingjay 1 next year!

Yes, apparently it's going to be made into two movies. I have to wonder if they might have more difficulty making movies from the final book as Mockingjay is very dark throughout, especially in the latter half. It made for good reading, but I wonder how it will translate onto the screen? One of the main "issues" there have been with this series is that the book is told exclusively from a first-person perspective (Katniss'), but you obviously can't really do that in a movie. The book focuses on her internal conflicts quite a bit, which the movie has to ignore (or represent in some other way).

Also, side note, before the movie, they showed the Divergent Trailer. I am now super excited for that movie.

Yeah, I saw that, too. It appears to be relatively similar in style to this one, so that might be an interesting tale.

I also agree about Harrelson as Haymitch. I think he might be my favorite character (in the movies, anyways).

Finally got a chance to see it. Absolutely loved it. As others said, the time just flew by with this one. Didn't feel like 2.5 hours at all. Can't wait for the next one!

Yeah, same here. The climax occurs so fast that I didn't even really realize it was over until it was (I hadn't read the books before I saw the movie, so I had no idea what to expect).

[DJ]

Re: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

This was a big improvement for me over The Hunger Games film. The increased budget really helped the film here, as the sets, costumes and the Arena all more accurately portrayed the images from the book.

Jennifer Lawrence's performance made the film. She has a keen ability to convey emotion with facial expressions and looks, and man, when it comes to those moments where she has to get emotional, you really feel for her character. Great stuff.

Woody Harrelson is a perfect Haymitch. Owns that character and commands every scene he is in.

The Peeta character was modified again from the book, but I didn't mind the alterations too much. The rest of the supporting characters were all solid, although I would've liked Beetee to have had more screen time.

Again, a marked improvement from the first film adaptation. This was my favorite of the three books, so I'm glad the film rose up to that level.

[JayBee74]

Re: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

I just saw this for the first time on Amazon Instant (it was available at least as early as 10PM CST last night, which surprised me because I thought it was coming out today). Great movie. I liked it much better than the first which I would have given a C+.

So Mockingjay 1 comes out this November and Mockingjay 2 comes out in November 2015. This completes the series. Right?

Philip Seymour Hoffman had only a week left of shooting and he had "very little left to do"? But even with only a tad left is a CGI Hoffman the answer?

Hoffman Illusion

[mb625]

Re: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Yeah, I saw that, too. It appears to be relatively similar in style to this one, so that might be an interesting tale.

Just saw this now... I read the books and while the style is similar, there are aspects that are a bit different. The books are fantastic, I'd recommend them, and I'm psyched for the movie. (Two weeks!)

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Picked it up and watched again last night. Selfishly I am so glad Phillip Seymour Hoffman had most of his scenes done for the next two. He was the perfect casting for Plutarch.