by HALEY MILLAN Editor-in-chief
“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” hit theaters on November 22, causing pandemonium across the nation. Based off the series by Suzanne Collins and directed by Francis Lawrence, the movie broke box office records for pre-Thanksgiving Wednesday and Thanksgiving day. This science-fiction/thriller has captured new fans, along with fulfilling the hopes of the die-hard ones.
The film picks up from the ending of the last movie; main characters Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) have just won the Hunger Games. They have been living low-key back in District 12, but things are about to heat up again. The couple must go on a victory tour through all of the districts.
Before they embark, Katniss is greeted by President Snow, who warns Katniss he knows she is not in love with Peeta and that she needs to convince the public, or there will be consequences.
First, things are icy between Peeta and Katniss, but they quickly get over the awkwardness once they have new drama to face. Along the victory tour, the couple sees that the districts are in revolt. There are guards from the Capitol blocking every entrance and keeping an eye over the crowds.
During this time, Katniss and Peeta mistakenly give some hopeful speeches, providing more energy for revolution, and angering President Snow. By this point, you should expect a feeling of rage toward Peeta and his big mouth.
This year will be the 75th Hunger Games, meaning it is a Quarter Quell. Every 25 years, the Hunger Games get more challenging to make for a special competition, as well as entertainment. After the chaos that Katniss had caused, President Snow and the game makers have made a surprising twist: the victors of the past Hunger Games will be randomly chosen to re-enter the games.
Katniss, being the only female victor in District 12, has no choice but to go back into the arena. Peeta and Haymitch are the only male volunteers, but Peeta will volunteer himself to protect Katniss, no matter what.
From this point forward, the movie finally picks up. It is very dramatic and heart-wrenching to see what kind of torture the game makers will put the previous victors in. Especially for Katniss, who we can assume the game makers want to kill off as quickly as possible.
“It was a little confusing for me to follow because I haven’t read the books. I definitely recommend seeing it with someone who has, that way you can ask for some background information. But, I have to say, I definitely would read the books after this ending,” says senior Viki Daninska.
What is even more agonizing than the sadness you feel for Katniss is the clumsiness of Peeta. Peeta’s sole purpose of entering the arena was to protect Katniss, but he has a hard time doing that. In almost every scene, you can count on Peeta to get hurt, touch something he is not supposed to, or trip and slow the group down. As comical as it may seem, under these tense conditions you stop and ask yourself, “What are you doing, kid?”
Senior Collen Gernt says, “It was amazing. I loved it but I really need to know what’s going on with Peeta!”
The movie ends with a cliff-hanger, no surprise there, as the final book of the Hunger Games trilogy will be split into two movies. Viewers will be counting the days until “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1”, and also questioning why Peeta cannot seem to do anything right.
Will you go see the “Hunger Games: Catching Fire”?