Weekly Review -- Game without end

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) -- Sequels can either be fine continuations of the original story or, if we are talking trilogies, filler films that simply lead us to the better finale. Director Francis Lawrence's Catching Fire belongs in the former category as both a fantastic adaptation and, for those unfamiliar with the novels, an exciting and thought-provoking adventure.

**THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**

After their unprecedented Hunger Games win, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) have but one task -- to distract Panem's citizens and quash the rebellion brewing in the districts. What they do not expect, though, is President Snow (Donald Sutherland) changing the rules for the special Games event, the 75th Quarter Quell... 

The best part about Catching Fire is that the film is as sprawling as the novel. From the grit of the districts to the Capitol's decadence, from Katniss's inspired wardrobe to the dangerously lush arena, the story and the visuals remain true to Suzanne Collins's original. The sequences that did not make their way to the screen prove not to be essential to the narrative; some of them might even have slowed the proceedings down. The only gripe I have is with the missing Plutarch's watch sequence, but I do understand its exclusion for moviegoers not versed in the novels, since including it would have been a major spoiler. One detail I loved was Snow's granddaughter's resemblance to Katniss's sister Prim, which was a delightfully ironic touch. The first film had also shown us its share of these little additions that bring the story closer to the cinema medium and fill in the blanks for those entering this universe for the first time.  

As with The Hunger Games, the actors breathe life perfectly into the characters. Lawrence alternates between Katniss's strengths and weaknesses with ease, while Hutcherson is lovable as Peeta, a boy who does everything in his power to save those he loves. Jena Malone is a force to be reckoned with as Johanna Mason, a former winner whose tough facade hides unrelenting anger at the Capitol and its machinations. Jeffrey Wright and Amanda Plummer are good additions as the genius inventors Beetee and Wiress, and Sam Claflin finds the gentle soul underneath Finnick Odair's cocky exterior. However, we get to see more of Snow this time around and I have to say that Sutherland takes the cake when it comes to acting chops. We already knew that Snow was unadulterated evil and here he manages to expand his repertoire. In keeping with his tradition of toying with people, he establishes a personal vendetta against Katniss, his malevolence going against her courage and making for some extremely effective verbal duels between Sutherland and Lawrence. I also enjoyed Sutherland's exchanges with the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose turn as gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee adds to the lineup of his always memorable performances.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is not only a thrilling film with a tightly woven screenplay, but also a tribute -- if you would please excuse the pun -- to the intricate dystopia that Collins had created. Francis Lawrence does an admirable job taking over from Gary Ross, and I am glad to see that he will be back for both parts of Mockingjay. There is much joy in anticipating an adaptation of an impressive novel, just like there is much satisfaction in seeing a wild and intriguing world leap off the page. 

10/10