So I went out with my sister to finally see Catching Fire, the second installment in the Hunger Games trilogy. Because it was already evening there were really no plans to do anything else. Except eat. Hahaha! Hunger Games is making me hungry. Seriously, there is so much food listed and described in that book I've now added Lamb Stew with Dried Plums to my bucket list.
Popcorn and sugary drinks while watching the starving citizens of Panem.
I don't have a copy of the books, only the audio books, and only 'read' the beginning part of Catching Fire before watching the movie. I did this because 'reading' the first then watching The Hunger Games only left me disappointed. Not only were a lot of elements from the book missing from the movie, but the movie left out key points that were essential to the story. If you didn't read the book, you'd be confused at what was going on or why the characters acted like they did. The movie felt choppy; it was like the scenes bounded one after the other and didn't flow too well.
I was much more satisfied with Catching Fire. I didn't feel like I missed much in terms of detail even without reading the second book. I was pretty much able to follow what was going on, the scenes flowed well, and it didn't feel like I was missing something that I should have read first in the book. Of course, I had the basics down from reading the first book so I had a very good idea how everything worked but still, it wasn't like Harry Potter where if you missed reading the book you'd be somewhat confused by something when watching the movie.
I'm so glad they decided to make use of Jennifer Lawrence's acting skills in this movie. In the first movie she looked like she was trying to channel Kristen Stewart with that poker face, sometimes missed, and went Lucy Lawless instead.
For a bit I think Kristen Stewart would've fit as Katniss Everdeen for the first movie. And I know that's a sacrilegious thing to say for a fan of- anything, really. But the nearly blank, bored face, the dismissive air, it's just like how I see Kristen Stewart in every red carpet photo or interview. Good thing she wasn't because Catching Fire had Katniss showing a whole range of emotions, from fear, to pain, that she might not have survived.
I'm so glad Josh Hutcherson's Peeta looked hotter in this movie. I didn't think it was fair to have Liam Hemsworth be Gale because of course if you didn't read the book you'd instantly root for him instead of dear, dear Peeta.
Effie Trinket still as adorable as ever! I couldn't stop thinking how amazing it would be to recreate her outfits, but probably shouldn't since they're Alexander McQueen.
Haymitch was a character I liked better now that I didn't read the second and therefore have no preconceived notions of how he's supposed to be. Same goes for Cinna.
Catching Fire had several new characters and touched them briefly but it didn't feel too little or too out of place. Nice pace and great visuals, combined with the story, made for a very entertaining movie. I think the rest of the theater would agree, because apart from typical reactions (ahem, Jena Malone!) everyone was pretty much silent, obviously glued to the screen.
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