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The 75th Annual Hunger Games Begins! 'Catching Fire' Hits Theaters
by Alex Billington
November 21, 2013
"People are looking to you, Katniss. You've given them an opportunity. They just have to be brave enough to take it." It's time. Hitting theaters everywhere this weekend is Catching Fire, the second movie in The Hunger Games series. It's exciting, it's deep, it's dark, it's one of the best sci-fi movies all year. Catching Fire should do incredibly well at the box office and I would go so far as to say that this is the next Harry Potter, this is the next Lord of the Rings franchise. Don't compare it to Twilight, compare it to those series in scope and scale and epicness. One review calls Catching Fire "the Dark Knight of Young Adult Films".
Inspired by the buzz and positive reviews of the film, I wanted to denote & celebrate the release of Catching Fire tonight. Here's an excerpt from Angela Watercutter's fantastic review of the sequel over on Wired.com:
Sometimes we go to movies to be moved – to experience emotional trials vicariously – and sometimes we go to them to escape. Catching Fire is the rare film that offers a chance to do both. For all of the oft-deserved flack the Hunger Games franchise gets for turning a story about class warfare into a full-bore money-making Subway-sandwich-tie-in Hollywood juggernaut, it still conveys a social message about the gruesomeness of social inequality, something most blockbusters wouldn’t touch. And it does it in a film that still feels like a rousing escape. It can be enjoyed and pondered simultaneously – a thinking person’s Pacific Rim.
Yes, it's that good. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, directed by Francis Lawrence, improves upon the first movie in many rich and robust ways, exploring the depths of the characters and the (dystopian sci-fi) world without overdoing anything. And this is only the beginning. We still have two more movies to wrap up the series in 2014 + 2015, both of which will be directed by Francis Lawrence. Even though Catching Fire is a complete movie of its own, it leads directly into the next half of the story and I cannot wait to see this end. Congratulations to Lionsgate, and to Jennifer Lawrence, author Suzanne Collins and everyone else involved. You've delivered one of the most exciting new cinematic franchises and may the odds be ever in your favor.
Catching Fire is now playing in theaters everywhere. IMAX is the best place to catch it, especially because there are 30 minutes shot on IMAX cameras. Enjoy your time at the movies! We'll be ready for Mockingjay.
12 Comments
1
Just got back from a sneak peek. As someone who didn't care too much for the first one, i can say for me this was a big step forward. Agree with you Alex, characters were much more interesting this round and JLaw's performance was solid in every scene. Special effects were top notch as well. Having not read the books the ending was a pleasant surprise for me. Was at a full house and the audience seemed pleased at the credits roll. My time in the theater was almost ruined however. Some people brought their INFANT to the show and were sitting behind me. The baby had a meltdown in the middle of the movie and the mom wouldn't leave!
Gohikeone on Nov 21, 2013
2
That last part sucks man, I know your pain.
Fidel Reyes on Nov 21, 2013
3
Hire a Baby-Sitter ! Or don't go to movies ! is what u should have said when the lights came up ...
Dominic on Nov 22, 2013
4
Haha...yes that is true. Although the look of shame I gave them while putting on my coat probably communicated that!
Gohikeone on Nov 22, 2013
5
Respect.
Fidel Reyes on Nov 22, 2013
6
Love it. Fidel, you may start a revolution. Well let's test the readership waters here, shall we? I think we are all movie-going lovers or we wouldn't be here reading. That said, is there anyone reading this that has taken their infant/baby into a movie with them that would like to speak up? Don't want to start a war here...but would really like to hear respectful discussion, comments, reasons people think this practice is ok (if there are any defenders out there). And "I can't find/afford a babysitter" is not a valid excuse...if you are paying to go to the movies, you can afford a babysitter for a night out.
Gohikeone on Nov 22, 2013
7
Back in my hometown this would happen often and it was extremely distracting, I am now grateful that the city where I am attending college is for the most part college students so that's not a problem, the problem is texting and talking in movies. That's another issue at hand, I find it disrespectful for the audience and to the people who made the film, don't get me wrong I have texted in the theater I won't lie about that but I have done this while they're showing those Cinemark First Look commercials for the making of tv shows and for local businesses,as they just put it to entertain the audience while they're waiting for the real previews to come out and before they even turn off the lights.
Fidel Reyes on Nov 22, 2013
8
Texting during the movie (and even answering calls) I've come to expect and generally overlook these days because what are you going to do...keep my blood pressure down. I actually think it's getting better and people are starting to feel the social pressure on it due to all the good anti-phone marketing on screen before the previews start. But INFANTS in the theater, that is something that I hadn't experienced before...toddlers yes, but this mother looked liked she'd brought in her two month old because she just HAD to be at the first showing of Hunger Games.
Gohikeone on Nov 22, 2013
9
I see what you mean. REVOLUTION is Coming!
Fidel Reyes on Nov 22, 2013
10
I don't mind it during the 20-25 mins ! of previews , but once it starts i don't need the light from their phone shining at / past me . Much less talking to someone or punching the screen constantly .. I like going to IMAX movies now , because the theatre is usually half-empty ( " let those suckers pay 18.50 " lol ) And if you're paying almost $20 , you're gonna pay attention , to get your money's worth
Dominic on Nov 23, 2013
11
so the question I have is : does the story compress too many elements of the three books into this one ? like the major complaint about the last one was that the 1st revolt happens in book 2 but Suzanne re-wrote the screenplay to shoo it in . I haven't read the books but people here and other places and Relatives that have , ripped Catching Fire pretty badly ... The best reason for me to go to IMAX is that the theatre is usually half-empty . Room to stretch out ... Also u want to avoid babies ? Go to 11PM and midnight shows .. Made the mistake of seeing the latest Bourne at 7:30 and there were at least 10 kids ! under 8 in the high seats . 1 baby ...
Dominic on Nov 22, 2013
12
Good for you Gohikeone , I hope next sequels to be more greater than this one either. I really love Fransis.I saw Constantine & I am legend many times and never get bored. He is Visually Stunning Director and I Love Great Visions.
Ehsan Davodi on Nov 22, 2013
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