Catching Fire earned more than $161 million its Opening Weekend. I can’t say its success surprised me. When I watched Catching Fire last Friday, the theater was packed with teenagers. I suspect most read the enormously popular Hunger Games trilogy. The main attraction for me in these movies are Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen who’s handy with a bow and arrow, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta the guy who adores her, Liam Hemsworth as the guy Katniss really loves, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the Game Master. For those of you not familiar with plot of this series, basically the future is a dystopia where once a year “volunteers” from the 12 Districts fight to the death in the Hunger Games. There is one winner (survivor) and they are showered with money, comforts, and fame. The old 1% vs. the 99% antagonism highlights almost every scene. The gladiatorial aspects of this 75th Anniversary of the Hunger Games comes with a switch. Former champions will fight in this special event. Although the movie is too long (2 hours and 20 minutes), most of the audience loved every minute of it. GRADE: B+
Even freinds and family who are in their 40s seem to love these – I just thought it seemed like a cross betwen Logan’s Run and Rollerball, but not in a good way … I think I may be in a minority on this one
Sergio, I agree with you on the grimness of this future world. Gladiator Games might be a better title.
I agree that Jennifer Lawrence is the main attraction here. I did like the books. I don’t like that greed has encouraged them to turn book three into two movies, a la the last Harry Potter book.
Jeff, I had the same reaction to the news of turning the third HUNGER GAMES book into TWO movies. Of course, there’s Peter Jackson turning THE HOBBIT into THREE movies! It’s all about the money.
And what ISN’T all about the money these days? This is certainly one I’ll skip. I thought while this was going on I could go into one of the other screens and watch GRAVITY almost alone, but they turned every screen in the entire complex over to this one. I hear teens are seeing it two, five, ten times and learning the dialogue. Maybe it will get them to read the books, even if only on their phones.
Rick, the HUNGER GAMES is immensely popular with teenagers. And the whole class conflict (HAVES vs. HAVE-NOTS) resonates with them.
I thought it indicted many of the worse things about our society without making a saint out of Katniss. Phil liked it less.
I’ve read several reviews talking about it being too long but I personally didn’t find it that way at all. Then again, I realize I am an anomaly as I love the extended edition of LOTR. If I like a film I don’t mind it taking its time to flesh out the story and I felt this one did that quite nicely.
I though Philip Seymour Hoffman was perfectly cast, btw, for the character he ended up being. He plays nasty so well that the casting was inspired, in my opinion.
Patti, you’re right about Katniss not being a saint. She takes out a couple Champions with her bow and arrows. She’s involved with two men. And Jennifer Lawrence commands the screen whenever she’s on it.
Carl, you’re right about Philip Seymour Hoffman. He will have some key moments in the next two HUNGER GAME movies!
I’ve ignored the phenomenon, as usual, but your remark about a 75th anniversary stumped me. I thought the books were recent.