‘Catching Fire’ has more than a few gripping set-pieces, but its strength is its solid cast and the lasting impression they make.
This sequel ends on a promising note, leaving you hungry for the next instalment.

Frankly, it’s irresistible. Whether you love or loathe Hollywood’s downpour of science fiction extravaganzas, this take on the shape of things to come possesses that George Orwellian kind of undertow.

Why do you need to see The Hunger Games: Catching Fire? Two words – Jennifer Lawrence.

I think how much you enjoy the second installment in the best-selling trilogy by Suzanne Collins, depends on how invested you get in this dystopian world, in which the few haves keep the many have nots hungry but entertained by a gladiator style reality show in which contestants kill each other.

As movies of this budget, bandwidth and expectations go, Catching Fire is not exceptional. But it can’t be dismissed either. And that is good enough.

Although The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is somewhat long-drawn-out, it’s riveting thanks to the hyper-imaginative world it creates. This sci-fi thriller is elevated by its subtext of humaneness.

Every frame is slick, though not as dark as that of the first film despite the characters dealing with extreme trauma in this one. Hunger Games Catching Fire is clinical at times but nevertheless a smooth ride.

If you like ‘grim dystopian sci-fi films’, Catching Fire is a spectacular ‘edge-of-the-seat’ thriller, which is unnerving, emotionally intense and immensely engaging. Unlike most sequels, Francis Lawrence ensures that his installment is not just a remake. While the first focussed on the deadly games, this one’s more about the political moves and strategies.

…the movie works because all the elements blend together well. In a fantasy film, the best thing that can happen is not to lose track of the plot in the midst of overwhelming action sequences and over the top effects. And The Hunger Games – Catching Fire, does just that, it stays true to the story. Those who’ve read the books will not be disappointed, and those who haven’t will be pleasantly entertained just the same.

As for everything that was good about the first film, it gets even better and more interesting in the second one. The various themes of nihilism, dystopia, the failure of humanity as a civilization and its voyeuristic obsession with violent debauched reality TV entertainment are significantly better established in Catching Fire. Moreover, the hunger games themselves are bigger, more dangerous, far broader in scope and better shot (with IMAX cameras no less).

…a rare gem that defies the norms of a blockbuster and yet manages to entertain as thoroughly as any superhero movie. Except Katniss is not a superhero – she’s just you, or me; a woman trying to survive and save those she loves from a world that’s hell bent on bringing them to their knees. So while I cross out dates on a calendar till the arrival of Mockingjay 1, go watch Catching Fire, before it’s put out by something as inane as R… Rajkumar.

…an amazing film about a lot of things like freedom, people, revolution, politics, hope and love. It captures the spirit of Katniss and what she stands for. A movie with a strong female lead, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is one of those films which entertains and captivates. Watch the fire spread.

Rebellion and revolt don’t often fly off the franchise shelf, but here is Katniss Everdeen in part deux of the post-apocalyptic fantasy action drama The Hunger Games, having an Arab Spring moment and landing an arrow or two in the name of liberty.

‘Catching Fire’ looks and feels epic. Hands down it’s one of the most entertaining films of the year. But there’s also something here-and-now about it – it taps the zeitgeist with its them-and-us society and the feeling that when money is in the hands of so few, the odds are never in our favour.

‘Catching Fire’ is a worthy sequel that builds upon the themes and characters introduced in its predecessor, however it’s wobbly plot in the second half fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the movie which leave you feeling kind of underwhelmed and yet anticipating the next chapter in the story.