Movie Adaptation Review: Catching Fire

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MOVIE ADAPTATION of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire read my book review on Catching Fire (Hunger Games, #2) by Suzanne Collins see the movie trailer in my older post here   "The odds were never in our favor."  

Finally! Finally I get to watch this. Before I start writing anything about the movie adaptation, I'd like to thank my mom, who watched this movie with me. If it weren't for you, I would be watching this next year, probably. After seeing The Hunger Games movie adaptation last year (review here), I absolutely can't wait to see Catching Fire, because the real story starts here. The movie duration is about 2.5 hours (which is more or less the same with The Hunger Games movie), but I think it's not long enough to cover every bit from the book. So here's a non-spoiling, just-an-opinion review by me about the movie adaptation for Catching Fire.

Firstly, let's talk about the movie plot. There are, of course, significant differences between the movie and the book - since the movie cannot explain some things like the book did. But thankfully, I think Catching Fire movie tried best to stick with the original plot. Which makes it absolutely wonderful. In the beginning, the movie tried to explain what's the result of Katniss' action in The Hunger Games - when she suggested both Peeta and her should eat the poison berries and die together. That action is seen as rebellious by President Snow and right now the people of Panem are starting to see hope in Katniss. So President Snow threatened Katniss, if she doesn't make her romance with Peeta real, her loved ones would be in danger. Peeta and Katniss went on the Victory Tour to every district, but they start to see rebellion. And when they did want they think is right, people get killed.

Peeta Mellark: "They fought with honor and dignity until the end. Both Thresh and Rue were so young. But our lives aren't just measured in years. The measure in our lives are the people we touch around us. For myself, for Katniss. We know that without Thresh and Rue, we wouldn't be standing here today."

The real story only starts when President Snow announced the 75th Hunger Games (the 3rd Quarter Quell) - with the special condition: the tributes will be reaped from the existing victors. Needless to say, Katniss will have to join in the games again - since she's the only female victor in District 12. And the rest of the movie, I won't write it here, to avoid any spoilers. Let's just say, the movie is awesome.

I want you guys to forget everything you think you know about the games. Last year was child's play. This year, you're dealing with all experienced killers.

"On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors."

I have so many favorite scenes in this movie! First is when Effie is announcing the tributes for the 75th Hunger Games, and Mom, Prim, Gale give the three-finger salute (the salute that always gives me goosebumps). And I also love the scene when Katniss is in the training room, shooting all those CG killers. She'll be a perfect partner for Legolas, ㅋㅋㅋ. Jennifer Lawrence is flawless with the bow and arrow. I also had goosebumps when they are going to have their ability tested. In The Hunger Games movie both Peeta and Katniss showed their skills in archery and weight-lifting. But this time, it's all about rebellion; as Peeta painted Rue on the floor, and Katniss hang a mannequin and named it Seneca Crane. Loved it!

Thankfully this time, the Games serves us a lot of actions involved. Since the arena is upgraded, everything is a lot more intense. Most of it is pretty much similar with the book (although I only remember the book vaguely, since I read it back in 2011), but I'm sure it cannot be 100% same. The movie gives more intensity and excitement because we can see things visually and the added sound effect is surely nerve-wrecking. I was clenching my fist while they're in the arena because everything is fast-paced and fierce.

In the book, I always focused on Katniss and Peeta - well, since they're the main characters. But in the movie, my attention also goes to the secondary characters: Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason. As the book described, Finnick Odair is a beautiful man - and I think Sam Claflin managed to be Finnick extremely well. With that attractive face and well-built body, I'm sure he'll capture the audience's hearts. (But my heart still goes to Peeta, sorry Finnick :p) As for Johanna Mason, she's such a badass girl and I love her! Her personality is really one of a kind; a lot more fierce than Katniss is. Her character in the movie has a great depth, because she's not scared of President Snow or the whole Capitol - since she had no more loved ones left to kill.

Johanna Mason: What? He can't hurt me. There's nothing left that I love.

I was a bit worried how other people (read: those who don't read the books) would think about Catching Fire. Because I think it may seem the story focuses on the love triangle between Peeta-Katniss-Gale, and Katniss is like 'someone' who's in distress in choosing betweeen Gale or Peeta. Please. Rather than about romance, The Hunger Games trilogy is more about political drama (?), with a pinch of romance. To know better about the story, please refer to the books. *Thank God Josh and Liam understood the story better than the media who keeps focusing on the 'love triangle' thing.

And I cannot not talk about Peeta Mellark. He's just the sweetest thing ever. I'm sorry I didn't really pay attention to Gale, because he didn't really get my heart in the book. But somehow I feel like the movie kind of failed in portraying Peeta's character (?). Idk. But I'm definitely looking forward to Mockingjay, because everything will be a lot more tense than Catching Fire. Hopefully the heart-breaking Katniss-Peeta moments will be interpreted well into the movie adaptation.

Gale Hawthorne: People are looking to you, Katniss. You've given them an opportunity. They just have to be brave enough to take it.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable and exciting movie to watch - a lot of heartwarming and nerve-wrecking moments. Compared to The Hunger Games, I think Catching Fire did a lot better in translating the book into movie. And since Mockingjay will be divided into 2 parts, I'm really looking forward to it being almost-exactly the same like the book. Please please please, don't disappoint me! Because I'm a huge fan of The Hunger Games trilogy (and a bigger fan of Peeta Mellark) ♥♥♥♥

Salute!

by.stefaniesugia♥ .