Blog by: Jake Boeding

After sitting down in my plush movie chair at the theater I was caught off guard by two things: 30 minutes of previews (I’m not even kidding) and for ‘Catching Fire’ to be as stunning as it was.

This second installment of the Hunger Games trilogy (though it’s being separated into four movies, so can we really call it that?) looks to outdo it’s predecessor and I think it has. While ‘Catching Fire’ is probably my favorite book in the series, I went into this movie thinking it would be mediocre. ‘Hunger Games’ didn’t really impress me that much and left me wanting more. I deduced that ‘Catching Fire’ would be no different. I was wrong. With superb acting, some of the most gorgeous special effects I have ever seen a movie pull off, and a impressive screenplay, ‘Fire’ sums up to be one of the best movies of 2013.

I have to say, what really sold this movie was the acting. Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss) and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) perform well together. However, Woody Harrelson’s performance of the drunken joker Haymitch Abernathy and Donald Sutherland’s performance of ice cold President Snow (pun intended) are both solid characters that represent the very different spectrums this movie provides.

While the screenplay well written, once again, it still suffers what seems to be a rushed ending. Even though it does leave on perhaps one of the best cliffhangers in movie history, the rushed ending ends up confusing the viewer and the cliffhanger’s effect is lost. The only thing that is worse than this? Jennifer Lawrence’s crying face… Seriously, it is not a pretty sight.

However, these are only minor quips to an overall stellar film. With the next film coming out next year (November 2014), Hunger Games fans have a lot to keep themselves occupied with a movie that can be watched for months and never get boring. With that being said, ‘Catching Fire’ earns the Buzz rating of: MUST SEE.

Is there a ridiculous reel or stupendous screening you would like me to review next? Let me know in the comments below! Also, be sure to check out the Missouri Maniac podcast if you’re into sports. Follow @northmennews on twitter. Happy watching!