As it’s a whole 20 months since the first Hunger Games film hit the big screen, you might think the hype was beginning to fade.
But earlier this week, it all caught fire. Literally, you ask? Well, almost.
Catching Fire is the second movie in what will be a series of four.
Rotten Tomatoes have rated it 91%, which is pretty incredible, and it’s totally easy to see why.
Following the first film, Catching Fire is all about a rebellion that is beginning to brew in Panem, President Snow’s attempt to stop it (ooh, frosty,) and the 75th Hunger Games.
Katniss’ (Jennifer Lawrence) confusion between liking Gale (Liam Hemsworth) and her “forced” love with Peeta continues to develop in this film and is displayed well, with Gale receiving a surprisingly nice amount of screen time (You Hemsworth lovers would definitely enjoy.)
It’s mildly surprising that the sexual tension between Katniss and half the males didn’t cause its own separate rebellion, if we’re honest. There’s just so much of it between her and Gale, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), Finnick (Sam Claflin) and even Beetee (Not really. Jeffrey Wright is probably slightly out of her age range, but that would be a fun plot twist.)
On a serious note, it’s tricky to find any major issues with the film; it didn’t feel rushed as it so easily could have done, the arena took up a healthy chunk and it portrayed the images created by the book almost perfectly.
Aside from couple of minor acting hiccups, it’s a generally well put together film that builds on the first well. With familiar and new characters alike, it’s following it’s predecessor in the best way it could.