Michael Ledo As it turns out the Hunger Games was not berry good for the empire as Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) has inspired hope and rebellion. Instead of just killing her, they have changed the rules ( see Jonathan "Roller Ball") and devised a new Hunger Game of past contestants. The game is stacked against her as contestants must battle the elements more than each other.The beginning of the film lacks the crazy action of the second half, but it is theme driven for the true sci-fi fan. Katniss is a hero, but as she says, "By killing people." In those 3 simple words. Katniss who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, conveys the perplexity of war heroes with a moral conscience. The film also touches on the power of celebrity as they "never get off this train: and the trouble they cause if the don't "stick to the script." The culture is set up similar to the Roman Empire where bread and circus' s keep the masses in check and where Romans "Eat to puke and puke to eat." Katniss, is a hero because her compassion expresses in all of us the person we want to be. As such it is easy for her to gain allies.The film contains all the elements of an ideal cult classic complete with theme, special effects, drama, top stars, and a touch of light humor.I do not recommend watching this film if you haven't seen the first one (or read the books) as it doesn't recap.

realdjleandro After watching The Hunger Games Catching Fire Movie a few things come to mind :1) Ahhhh Jennifer Lawrence ( still drooling from the first film) 2) I see Woody Harrelson is still doing his best impersonation of Woody Harrelson 3) You see guys ? 'nice guys can get the girl ' .... at least until part 3 4) Poor Peta , dude be taking so much shit for Katniss ... He gets cut , electrocuted , almost drowns , attacked by killer monkeys , gets kidnapped .... WTF else is he supposed to do for her ? 5) Should be aptly titled 'Catching Peta' 6) Is like every dude in this movie super handsome ? 7) Damn , I better get my ass to the gym 8 ) Probably one of the best sequels ever released 9) Bigger and better than the first

CinemaCocoa This sequel makes up for a lot of its predecessor's glaring faults, yet somehow continues to paint its theme in the same unbelievable and contrived fashion. Having survived the Hunger Games, a gladiatorial arena fashioned by a tyrannical society called The Capitol, heroes Katniss and Peeta must deal with their limelight fame from those they despise, and the relationship they pretended to have to escape death. The Capitol's president however doesn't approve how every survivor can give the repressed people hope, and creates a new Hunger Games where only seasoned survivors compete to the death.I didn't like 2012's Hunger Games. I went into this sequel with trepidation, but I have to admit the first hour or so got me very interested! We have the Capitol actually flexing its muscles and giving our heroes and lower classes a hard time, they are actually competent villains for once. There are real consequences to the aftermath of the first Games, troopers raid towns, people are executed, even our heroine is shaken and brittle from the experience! The idea of Katniss and Peeta being thrown into a last- man-standing death match (for real this time) with seasoned veterans who hate them, all commanded by newcomer (and slimier than ever) Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I was pretty excited!But then the Hunger Games event began… and everything fell apart. Our combatants are unique, but about two thirds of them die off screen, and the real problem of fighting to the last man is dropped immediately. The Capitol again have no teeth, no guts and their Hunger Games as a concept continues to be completely redundant. I'm sorry, but I still don't understand. The Capitol are still incompetent villains at the end of the day, and it infuriates me! I like the idea that they are weak due to their overconfidence and complacency, but it has never been shown that the Hunger Games even works as a deterrent, it only seems to be a massive invitation for uprising and war. It makes no sense!There's also a twist at the end, I cannot say what it is, but it only compounds this complete inability by The Capitol, and actually undermines most of the threat that you initially felt earlier. I cannot comprehend watching this again… it would be even less convincing.(it also still irritates me that most of the actual killing in the Hunger Games happens off screen, although it is true this film has a little more brutality)This film does have a very good beginning, I like The Capitol's citizens, I like the heavy subtext of television control and celebrity worship that dominates the first hour. Jennifer Lawrence is still great as Katniss, the action is actually directed better here (less shaky- cam and rapid cuts) and for two hours and thirty, it didn't feel long. But god does it still wound me with its lackluster execution and its unbelievably not-threatening tyrants, and it all fell apart at the end.

mattkratz This wasn't too bad a sequel to Hunger Games, as it mostly continues the story of Catniss and her lover from the first movie and the saga they have to continue as being victors from the 75th Hunger Games. This features lots of action, romance, and a decent amount of character development, and some new characters, but it does go on a bit long and tends to drag a bit. If you are a fan of the series, you might not mind those last too bits. Jennifer Lawrence is once again a good choice in the lead role, and the cast does click, as it did in the first movie. If you are a fan of the series and Jennifer Lawrence, you might like this.** 1/2 out of ****