![]() ![]() We saw glimpses of her conscience in the books but, onscreen, Banks takes her from unemotional escort to compassionate cog in the wheel. But as the stakes of the games are raised, so are Effie’s concerns, and seeing cracks in her very colorful façade helps make her more than a one-note character. In “The Hunger Games,” Effie (Elizabeth Banks) epitomized everything the Capitol stood for: fashion, material things, excess and an obliviousness to the real issues in the districts around them. While they felt like caricatures in the first movie, “Catching Fire” reveals some chinks in the otherwise bedazzled armor, all thanks to Katniss and her act of rebellion that’s now sparked a revolution.Įxpert t ip: Yes, Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) is still the most stylish tribute sympathizer, but Effie Trinket is more lovable than ever. Their excess knows no bounds, but they’re still human. HG 101: While the tributes from the districts must compete to take their next breath, residents of the Capitol are the 1%. They’ve got Hemsworth – they’re going to use him!Ī brief history of young adult literature The big difference? This time the changes leave the door open for Gale to really make his presence (and his intentions with Katniss) known in the two-part “Mockingjay” final installments. The big question: What about Gale? While Gale is once again on the sidelines for most of the movie, he does have a particularly haunting scene in “Catching Fire” that stays somewhat true to the book. We wish he’d get a skill a little more exciting than painting his body with mud to be camouflaged, but we’ll take any improvement on the character we can get. Peeta always seemed like too much of a damsel in distress for our Katniss, but in “Catching Fire,” Peeta is stronger and more independent – and he can swim, so thankfully you won’t have to see a near-drowning when they enter the water-filled arena. The love triangle is what grounds the entire series in reality, and it ain’t over until it’s over, so don’t expect anything to be decided halfway through the series’ four-movie run.Įxpert t ake: Peeta might not be such a bad option for Katniss after all! Fans of the books were outraged that – spoiler alert! – Katniss ended up with Peeta after so clearly having a stronger connection with Gale. Besides fighting for basic survival, the Quarter Quell gives them more time together to explore their relationship, for real and for the cameras. HG 101: So there’s this girl Katniss and she’s a total badass, and she’s basically best buds with the male version of her, Gale (Liam Hemsworth), but she gets sent off to the Hunger Games with Peeta, saves his life a million times and now all the viewers want them to be an item. ‘Hunger Games’ theme park? We have some ideas ![]() The big question: With several big names joining the cast, are there any new standouts? Sam Claflin shines as cocky tribute Finnick Odair, and Jenna Malone makes an equally splashy (and equally clothing-free) entrance as Johanna, who’s good with an axe, but takes a bit to warm up to. The fandom is growing up, and the movies are following suit. ![]() And while costume designer Trish Summerville didn’t allow tributes to be nearly nude as in the books, she did pull some form-fitting designer duds for them to wear. Yes, the very premise of kids fighting to the death for the public’s amusement ensures that there’s a dark thread throughout the entire story, but the look and feel of “Fire” is darker as well, with new director Francis Lawrence amping up the action and suspense. With evil monkeys and even more evil victors from previous games to battle, it’s a lot for one movie to tackle, but the tributes in “Catching Fire” are more fully-formed characters, and they help set the story apart and keep the conflict interesting.Įxpert t ip: These games are getting darker and sexier. As punishment to heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) – who not only outwitted the Hunger Games, but also ensured her partner Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) survived too (unprecedented!) – the Quarter Quell finds them back in the arena, competing against other past winners.Īs if that weren’t enough, there’s also a love triangle, family drama, a score to settle, several districts to save and an uprising that can’t be quieted. But every 25 years, there’s a Quarter Quell, where a dark twist makes the games even more treacherous. HG 101: Every year in post-apocalyptic Panem, two tributes, aka children, from each district are selected in a public reaping to compete in the win-or-die Hunger Games. ![]()
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