Director Francis Lawrence’s “Catching Fire” is set directly after the events of the first serviceable installment of “The Hunger Games,” and sadly Katniss has not emerged victorious. After her attempt to end her life with Peeta, incapable of fighting to the death, the pair became celebrities. Rather than be wounded by their violation of the rules of the Hunger games, the Capital took advantage of this moment. Katniss and Peeta are now a celebrity couple and the world wide sensation, and the capital has done everything they can to exploit this opportunity. Katniss and Peeta started a revolution when they agreed to a suicide pact, and now they have to once again maintain their image.
Building this resolution made them heroes, and now the pair have to maintain their own relationship, however false. “Catching Fire” examines the price of being a celebrity, the dangers of idolatry, and how sometimes defiance of the status quo can have a dire outcome. The fall out from Katnisses defiance of the status quo had terrible repercussions, and she can do nothing now except maintain the charade, or else risk losing her wealth and protection for her family from the hunger games. Peeta too is a man who has to keep his image in tact, and spends most of his time trying to transform he and Katniss in to a pair of heroes the world can idealize, but Katniss can barely find the inspiration. She and Peeta are still haunted by the memories of their battle, including Katniss, who not only has horrible memories of her past ally Rue, but has incidentally inspired a whole generation of young girls to become future hunger games competitors.
With Katniss and Peeta’s growing status and their increasing power among the districts, President Snow launches a new competition in the spirit of the hunger games. The catch is that every surviving tribute from past games must compete for victory. It’s a brand new battlefield and brand new menaces, and now Katniss must face a new group of deadly competitors. Much of “Catching Fire” is so much more coherent and entertaining, offering a new scope within this world, and a new dimension to Katniss. Lawrence is as great as ever, portraying Katniss as someone seeking to change the world, but has no idea how. She’s influencing the wrong people, and losing friends, and can do nothing but confine herself to the celebrity trappings and play up her image as a warrior.
She’s become an idol, and doesn’t want her new status, and can barely take action when she slowly comes to the realization that she’s becoming the martyr for her civilization. The tournament is darker and more intense than the Hungers games, as the new battlefield offers different stages of danger. Within every bit of terrain, there’s a new menace, promising imminent death. Katniss is a flawed but strong heroine who learns from her allies and competitors and uses their advice in combat. The introduction of the new characters provide some unique tension and wonderful rivals, including new cast member Jena Malone as Johanna Mason, a deadly and very flirtatious contestant who revels in her skills in the field. “Catching Fire” definitely garners better surprises, and more interesting plot twists this time around with a darker tone and an entertaining supporting cast. It’s definitely peaked my interest to see how the next film fares.