The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - Review

After their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion across the districts of Panem, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark return to the arena to fight against other surviving victors in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.


I just have to start by saying this was a great movie and a pretty decent book to film adaptation. I personally enjoyed it more than The Hunger Games and I found it was a lot closer to the source material. Obviously, there were things left out but a majority of what is in the film was in the book. That was a big breath of fresh air. Especially after The Hunger Games had so much missing and had a lot of new things incorporated into the plot.
Starting off with direction, I think Francis Lawrence did a much better job than Gary Ross. The movie itself had a much better flow and it was a lot smoother than The Hunger Games was. I also think the actors had a lot more purpose than they did before.
As far as acting goes, I thought some people did a better job while some people floundered a bit. I thought Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, and Woody Harrelson were fantastic and much better this time around. I'm not saying they were bad in the first movie, but they were more enjoyable and just better this time around. Jennifer Lawrence was the confusing one for me. She was great in The Hunger Games and had her moments in Catching Fire as well, but I feel like she wasn't really trying during the first half of the movie. I don't know if it was intentional to show how damaged Katniss had become or if she is just one of those actresses that has elements she is good and bad at. It was a bit off. I also want to take the moment to say that I cannot stand Liam Hemsworth. They could have cast a much better actor as Gale. I feel like he was cast based on physical appearance and the fact that his brother is Thor.
Regarding the new characters, I thought a majority of the casting was marvelous. Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, and Lynn Cohen were such great choices, specifically Malone and Wright. I thought Beetee and Johanna were portrayed beautifully. Sam Claflin surprised me a bit, too. I won't say that his portrayal is exactly how I envisioned Finnick Odair when I read the books, but it wasn't necessarily bad. Another newcomer is Philip Seymour Hoffman who I thought did a great job as Plutarch Heavensbee, the new gamemaker. He was very believable as the character.

Now I want to talk about aspects of the movie that have spoilers, so if you haven't seen Catching Fire yet and/or didn't read the books I encourage you to come back once you have. You don't want it ruined for you.

Catching Fire soundtrack revealed; includes Coldplay, The Lumineers, and Imagine Dragons

The full tracklist for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been revealed. It contains some pretty interesting choices, in my opinion. Check it out for yourself!

1. Atlas - Coldplay
2. Silhouettes - Of Monsters and Men
3. Elastic Heart - Sia (feat. The Weeknd & Diplo)
4. Lean - The National
5. We Remain - Christina Aguilera
6. Devil May Cry - The Weeknd
7. Who We Are - Imagine Dragons
8. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Lorde
9. Gale Song - The Lumineers
10. Mirrors - Ellie Goulding
11. Capital Letter - Patti Smith
12. Shooting Arrows at the Sky - Santigold
13. Place for Us - Mikky Ekko
14. Lights - Phantogram
15. Angel on Fire - Antony and the Johnsons

The full soundtrack will be available on November 19th, just a few days ahead of Catching Fire's release on November 22nd.
This album is expected to do very well as the soundtrack for The Hunger Games was the best selling soundtrack for 2012. It was also certified Gold by the RIAA and became the fastest selling soundtrack on iTunes. In addition to a Golden Globe nomination and three Grammy nominations, Taylor Swift's single for the album, "Safe and Sound," won a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

[EDIT] Check out my review of Catching Fire here. 

Stef Dawson joins Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2

Australian actress Stef Dawson has joined the cast of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2. She will be playing Annie Cresta, a former victor and love interest of Finnick Odair.

If you need some catch up on Annie:

She was the winner from District 4 at the 70th annual Hunger Games entering as a career tribute.
She went a bit insane after witnessing her District 4 partner get beheaded.
Is the one true love of Finnick.
Described to have green eyes and flowing brown hair.
She avoided the Quarter Quell (in Catching Fire) after Mags volunteered to take her place.


Not really who I pictured as Annie, but oh well. I've honestly never heard of this girl so I don't know what to expect.

First photo of Finnick Odair in Catching Fire

I know I'm not the only one who has waited for this.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theaters on November 22nd.




#CelebrateYourVictors #CatchingFire #Finnick

Catching Fire set for Comic-Con International 2013

[UPDATE] Catching Fire will be in Hall H on Saturday directly after the Warner Bros. and Legendary Presentations at 1:35pm. Here is the schedule for Saturday.

 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been set to appear at Comic-Con International in San Diego. There will be a panel along with a new trailer that will premiere on July 20th. You are able to visit the official Facebook page and submit questions (using the hashtag #CatchingFireComicCon)to be asked to the unannounced cast members that will attend. The panel will be moderated by Fandango correspondent Dave Karger. Catching Fire has been voted on Fandango as the most anticipated movie of 2013. It opens on November 22, 2013.

The powers that be are predicting Lionsgate will be setting up shop in Hall H and that Marvel will be holding panels the same day, so get your tents and sleeping bags ready to go. San Diego Comic-Con International is celebrating their 44th year and will be running from the evening of July 17th to July 21st.

Catching Fire poster shows Katniss on top of the world

Well... actually she is just on top of a mountain.

There is something odd about this poster to me. I don't know if it just doesn't look real or whether it's the fact that they gave Katniss angel wings. In reality I think it just looks a little too retro for the logo and for the film itself. It takes away from the feeling the first poster gave us.

Catching Fire posters for Finnick and President Snow

Finnick looks great.

[Spoiler] Google reveals Catching Fire arena

Google Earth has revealed a rather important sneak peek of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. The popular map software has revealed an aerial view of the Quarter Quell arena.
This is kind of a bummer for those going into the movie with no knowledge, but seeing that I read the book all I have to say is... at least it looks the way it should. At least from what I can tell.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is set to be released on November 22nd.

Hit the jump to see the Google Earth image of the new arena.

First look at The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Entertainment Weekly's upcoming issue has the first look of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. It includes an interview with Jennifer Lawrence and, judging by the cover, some photos from the film. Check out the cover!

UPDATED: There are now more photos that have been released. =^D

UPDATE: Sam Claflin cast as Finnick in Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire finally has its Finnick Odair! As previously rumored Finnick will be played by Sam Claflin (Snow White and the Huntsman, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides). I am extremely excited about this one. Click under the jump for more about Finnick (spoilers beware).

[UPDATE] More casting for Catching Fire announced

We have more casting, both confirmed and rumored, for Catching Fire. The confirmed part is that Amanda Plummer has secured the role of Wiress, a former tribute and winner from District 3. Plummer joins fellow confirmed actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jena Malone.
The rumored is that Tony Shalhoub (Monk, Galaxy Quest) is in negotiations for the role of Beetee. Melissa Leo was rumored for the role of Mags but a few sources have said that it isn't going to happen, so I guess Leo is off the hook as far as rumors go.

And perhaps the biggest rumor yet is that there is an actor in final negotiations to play the much anticipated role of Finnick Odair... and his name is Sam Claflin. You might remember him from such films as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Snow White and the Huntsman. I saw him in both of those films and with that I will say that this potential casting doesn't bother me. I think he is attractive enough for the role, in comparison to the book description, and would do a decent job. He is a better choice than some, like when Robert Pattinson was rumored, so I wouldn't bitch too much if he winds up securing the role.

Jena Malone WILL play Johanna Mason in Catching Fire

It is confirmed! Jena Malone (Stepmom, Sucker Punch) will play the role of Johanna Mason in Catching Fire, the upcoming sequel to The Hunger Games.

I mentioned this last week and I was excited for this possibility. Now that it has been confirmed I am even more excited. I really like Jena Malone and I think she is going to be a fantastic Johanna. Now all we need is for them to cast Finnick and we'll be all set when it comes to the absolute major characters.

[UPDATE] Taylor Kitsch will not be in Catching Fire

The casting rumors and shoot downs for the role of Finnick in Catching Fire continue to appear. The latest rumor to die is 31-year old Taylor Kitsch. You may know him from the recent box office bombs John Carter and Battleship. Kitsch told the LA Times that it is "not going to happen." This news comes shortly after Robert Pattinson denied his involvement and said he will not be playing Finnick.

Earlier this week E! Online reported that casting had apparently come down to three finalists: Taylor Kitsch, Armie Hammer (The Social Network, Mirror Mirror), and Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy, On the Road). The downright truth of this remains unknown as Lionsgate is refusing to comment on and/or confirm or deny anything about the casting of Finnick, but if this is true it seems that we only have two options.

 http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/05/hunger-games-taylor-kitsch-finnick.html


Out of the two remaining I would much rather have Garrett Hedlund. I think he has more of the look and overall feel of Finnick over Armie Hammer. I have only seen Hammer in one film, which was The Social Network, and I wasn't all that impressed. The only thing he has over Hedlund is the physique. However, Hammer is starring in The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp and that is a new franchise hopeful for Disney. It is possible that due to his upcoming scheduling he might not even be available to commit to both Catching Fire and Mockingjay as the role of Finnick is in both.

[UPDATE] Robert Pattinson will not be in Catching Fire

Robert Pattinson mentioned this past week at Cannes that he will not be playing the role of Finnick Odair in Catching Fire despite internet rumors. 

I still have some faith in humanity.

http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/05/28/robert-pattinson-catching-fire-finnick/

Robert Pattinson considered for a role in Catching Fire

It has been announced that Twilight superstar Robert Pattinson is being considered for a major role in Catching Fire, the upcoming sequel to The Hunger Games.
Which role? None other than that of Finnick Odair.


What I am about to type comes from the standpoint of someone who has read and loved the books. It isn't because I am not a Twilight fan...
This is ridiculous. Pattinson, to me, looks nothing like Finnick should look and would not be able to pull it off at all. When I imagine Finnick I do not imagine this.

Finnick is supposed to be drop dead gorgeous with green eyes, bronze hair, tan skin, and is also supposed to be extremely fit and muscular. Pattinson had to have his six-pack airbrushed in the Twilight movies because he couldn't get the muscle tone. About the only thing he has going for him is the hair color. If he is cast over other possibles, such as Ryan Kwanten and Chase Crawford, I will be so pissed. I can't believe this is happening.

http://www.examiner.com/article/robert-pattinson-considered-to-be-cast-as-finnick-odair-catching-fire?cid=db_articles