The Hunger Games: Catching Fire — the second movie of a four-part adaptation from Suzanne Collins’ fantastically unique trilogy — opens with a pensive Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), the most lethal girl with a bow and arrows, crouched low and lost in thought while gazing out over a perfect, placid landscape. No doubt she senses the stark contrast between her own complicated, devastated and flawed world and this simple, untainted safe haven in the woods that she truly considers home.

It’s here, hunting game for her family in her deceased father’s leather jacket and boots, that this atypical teenage heroine continues to relive the horrors of being reaped as one of 24 tributes in The Hunger Games, the first movie in the series, and winning the title with her District 12 teammate Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). The big brother-type leader known as the Capitol annually pits two young girls and boys, ages 12 to 18, from each district against each other in a fight to the death for victory and glory. These feared Hunger Games serve as a reminder of the catastrophic war that destroyed North America and created the foundation for the totalitarian state of Panem.

Catching Fire builds on these past events and sets us up for what will happen next. In this 146-minute feature-length production Katniss is faced with some new, and some familiar, problems. She witnesses the open rebellion that has risen among the Panem populace, and realizes that she is their fearless leader. By assuming this unintentional role, she is now under the ever watchful eye of President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and must heed her every move. And like the other teenage culture sensation that was the Twilight Saga, the female protagonist is typically caught between two worthy male contenders vying for her heart. Katniss cozies up to her hometown love interest Gale (Liam Hemsworth), only then to swoon and bat her lashes over the good-hearted Peeta during their victory tour. This love triangle is milked for all its worth and will easily draw-in any romantic.

Present in the film are the same familiar staple characters — Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), the drunken, but somehow loveable mentor; the colorfully chic Effie (Elizabeth Banks), who finally shows some true emotion; and one of Katniss’ few friends, the surprisingly plain-looking Cinna (Lenny Kravitz). The silver screen is also graced with new faces that add some flavor and heart-pounding drama to the sequel. There is Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), the mysterious, trident-wielding dreamboat from District 4; Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), the confident and outspoken unlikely ally; and new gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee, oddly played by the renowned Philip Seymour Hoffman. Not that any of these supporting roles are Oscar-worthy, but each unique character portrayal adds to the movie’s intrigue and credibility.

In this almost spot-on visual replica of the successful book franchise, thanks to special effects and the directing abilities of Francis Lawrence (who replaced Gary Ross), the girl on fire once again takes on the artificial arena in the Quarter Quell. Only this time she’s battling past, equally resourceful victors, as well as poisonous fog, blood rain, menacing monkeys, and birds that mimic the chilling screams of loved ones. This dangerous set creates the recipe for an action-packed film, but without many lulls in-between to come up for air, it can at times seem overwhelming.

There is no doubt that Katniss’ character is what truly attracts fans to The Hunger Games. She has the independent, tough, love ‘em and leave ‘em mentality, but also the compassion and determination that makes a leader and survivor. Lawrence portrays her quite realistically, and gives a more emotional repertoire than in the previous film, with convincing fits of rage, hopelessness and clenching fear that come across as genuine and not at all forced. For instance, when surrounded by hundreds of jabberjays crying in terror with the voice of her little sister Prim, Lawrence’s panicked reaction and fearful screaming jolts you in your seat. Another particularly emotional moment happens when Katniss realizes she has to go back into the arena. The despair and grief of Lawrence’s expression would make anyone teary-eyed.

On a warmer note, there also seems to be more in-the-moment kissing with her dreamy co-stars and less painful-to-watch false flirtation. One particular scene, when Katniss and Peeta are sitting on a beach talking and she realizes that she can’t live without him, shows the genuine and caring side of her character. And thanks to a fantastic costume design team, she and the rest of the cast don the outlandish, avant-garde wardrobe that perfectly befits the Capitol lifestyle (except for Kravitz, who merely has a swipe of gold eyeliner and a couple of earrings) — outfits that flame and sparkle like that of the dying embers of a fire or morph from a bedazzled wedding dress into a mockingjay bird with an impressive wing span.

Catching Fire isn’t a cinematic masterpiece, but it makes for an exciting movie night. Despite a feeling of being rushed through the story as if the creators were trying to fit into a specific time frame, which makes the abrupt ending after non-stop action come off as a bit alarming, the more gripping plot, improved character portrayals and special-effects will keep anyone on the edge of their seat till the very end. And though some might say that the world may be taking this inimitable series a little too seriously (Covergirl’s new Capitol Collection comes to mind), it’s hard to resist seeing it played out on the big screen and having everyone’s favorite girl with the famous braid come to life.

“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” opened in theatres nationwide on November 22, 2013. For more information on the film, please visit the official Web site.

Rating: 3.5 out of 4 stars


Trailer Courtesy of: Lionsgate/Hunger Games.

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Featured image: Jennifer Lawrence stars as ‘Katniss Everdeen’ in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Photo Credit: Murray Close.