Slight spoilers ahead!
Catching Fire may be one of my favorite book-to-screen adaptation to date. Here at Literally, Darling we love books, and we love reminding people that “the book was better” even more, but I left the theater thinking that the movie was just as good, if not better, than the book itself. This cast is flawless together, and often scenes from the book were directly quoted on screen. It is refreshing as a fan of both the book series and the movie franchise to see the great care and attention to detail that went into creating the film. “Catching Fire” is a win win for both the casual movie goer and “Hunger Games” super fan.
The second novel in Suzanne Collins trilogy is set in a dystopian society in the throes of a propaganda driven revolution, something that plays well on the big screen. The glitz and glamor of the Capitol contrasted with the brewing revolution makes for a great commentary on celebrity, media, and oppression. The focus of the series has shifted from the individual districts and their tributes to the overarching conflict that is about to break. Even those in the Capitol are catching on, and one of my favorite moments was seeing Effie break down and show real fear and emotion as her favorite tributes head back into the arena.
As a fan of the book series, I felt like the minor book scenes missing from the movie were brushed over smartly, and not tossed aside. It is difficult to cut scenes from a popular novel, and it wasn’t until after the credits were rolling that I realized a couple favorite small moments were missing. I’ve sat through many book-to-screen adaptation counting the mistakes or missing lines in my head, but did not feel that way during “Catching Fire.” This one lived up to its potential.
Jennifer Lawrence is queen, and I could go on for days raving about how much I love her. She does a fantastic job of displaying Katniss’s complex personality: She is fierce, calculating, cunning and kind. From the moment Katniss learns she will be back in the arena for the Quarter Quell, to the scene in the elevator with Johanna, Jennifer is a dream when it comes to portraying Katniss as more than just a pretty girl as so many book-to-screen heroines are, in my opinion, dumbed down to by Hollywood. The weight of the world is on our heroine’s shoulders, having ignited this revolution without really meaning to, and Jennifer does not alienate the audience with this archetype as many other fantasy heros have.
My main issue with this movie stems from the same issues I had when reading the series for the first time. The storyline significantly drops when we’re back in the area, an almost been-there-done-that deja vu. The effects and the tick tick tick of this new area were impressive on screen, but I am much more interested in the real revolution that the trek back to the “simpler” days of the area. The simpler days of the area? That’s exactly how I felt watching this story come to life. The real war is here, and director Francis Lawrence somehow turns killing for sport into nothing more than a stumbling point for Katniss as the real fight begins in “Mockingjay.”
[divider] [/divider]Let’s talk about favorite scenes:
1. The elevator scene with Johanna, Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch. Jennifer Lawrence is just as hilarious as she is resolute, and this moment provided some much needed respite from the heavy storyline. I’d argue that this was better on screen than it was in the book.
2. The jabberjay scene in the arena. I love how Katniss and Finnick are set apart in their weakness here, a weakness that is both a blessing and a curse. Their ties to home and love for their friends and family gives them the power and passion to survive, but can be costly when it comes to rationality. I love the two of them as a team and was impressed with Sam Calfin’s performance overall.
3. Gale’s final line of the movie. I screamed when I read this for the first time and screamed again in the middle of the theater after Liam Hemsworth’s delivery. Remember when he was cast and the entire internet exploded in protest? I have to say, his performance has far exceeded my low expectations to begin with. He’s an anchor, and I think the part suits him well, something I never saw myself saying when he was originally cast.
4. Haymitch when he raised a glass to Peeta as he announced that he and Katniss were going to be parents. So classic. Woody Harrelson killed it in this movie. I was impressed with him in The Hunger Games, but he stole the show in Catching Fire. I’d argue that Haymitch is the real hero of this entire story, but that’s a discussion for a different time.
