Like Rashmi told you back in April the girl on fire is finally back! Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss Everdeen in Catching Fire, the sequel to The Hunger Games. The film picks up where Katniss and Peeta, the winners of the 74th Hunger Games, are now preparing to go on their victory tour of the 12 Districts and Capital of Panem. Meanwhile a rebellion is brewing and President Snow is not pleased! What happens next? Obviously more Hunger Games awesomeness.
Don’t worry, I plan to keep this review spoiler-free, so let me just start by saying I watched a preview screening yesterday with fellow Hunger Games fangirl Heena Jain and we both totally loved it!
Btw, I’m one of the few who actually started reading the books AFTER watching the first movie so I think that’s why I never pictured things to be any other way. BUT I suspect some novel purists may not agree 🙂 please keep that in mind while reading my review! xoxo
1. Obviously, The Fashion
Cinna played by Lenny Kravitz outdoes himself yet again as Katniss’ friend & stylist, leaving everyone gasping more than once. I also found her hair & make up super interesting in the film and will be posting “how to” videos soon 🙂
BUT did you know that the actual Catching Fire costume designer Trish Summerville has created a 16-piece collection which was launched last Monday on luxury online retailer Net-A-Porter? It features everything from “Girl on Fire” t-shirts for $75 (₹4700) to a $995 (₹62,000) laser-cut patent leather dress inspired by Katniss’ chariot outfit.) The collection is aptly labeled Capitol Couture and dude, I want this ear cuff!
PS. Most of the dresses Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) wears in this movie are created by the famous designer Alexander McQueen.
2. A Romantic Twist
As you saw in part one, Katniss and Peeta saved themselves by pretended to be in love, willing to die together with a handful of poison berries rather than bear the thought of life alone. But of course back home everybody (including President Snow) knows that Katniss’ is sweet on fellow squirrel hunter Gale (Liam Hemsworth). I mean who wouldn’t be?!
*Cue Twilight-esque romantic drama* and accept now that you will SIMPLY have to pick a side. Are you Team Peeta or are you Team Gale? Me, I’m afraid I’m Team Gale.
Ok I admit it’s sweet (and mildly amusing) that Peeta is this champion baker but given the circumstances this doesn’t help his sexy quotient all that much!
3. PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN
Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) replaces Seneca Crane (Wes Bently) as the new “Head Gamemaster” and he does it with a certain evil twist you would never have imagined. Btw, there was some debate on several Hunger Games fansites about who would be the best Heavensbee and Alec Baldwin was a fan favourite which could also have been interesting but I think Hoffman nails it.
4. Jena Malone
You probably remember this pretty face from the movie Step Mom (of course several years younger) Jena Malone is absolutely brilliant as the axe-wielding Johanna Mason – a previous victor of the 71st Hunger Games from District 7.
She has a snarky sense of humour, gorgeous wardrobe and the ability to bewitch most men. Yet again I’m finding a parallel here with a Twilight character I love just as much. (I feel like these two would be BFFs, don’t you?)
6. ACTION, FANTASY, ROMANCE, DRAMA. WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?!
Aside from being brilliantly acted by everyone (especially Jennifer Lawrence) director Francis Lawrence does not disappoint when it comes to the special effects, raw emotion and high drama. I’d definitely watch this twice. Now here’s a little trivia to tide you over till the release this weekend 🙂
Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin) came up with the idea of eating sugar cubes during Finnick’s introduction scene as he wanted to make his voice more syrupy, oozing and charming for Katniss. Claflin ate between two to three cubes for each take filmed until the scene was completed. By the end of they day he had consume the entire box of cubes.
PS. My favorite line in the film, “Remember who the real enemy is.”