Available today (March 7, 2014) on Blu-ray and DVD is the sequel to the popular book and movie franchise The Hunger Games – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
It’s been a while since I saw The Hunger Games so I watched it again before I watched Catching Fire, just so I could refresh my memory. I have not read the books (my daughter has). I needed a refresher.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire picks up right where the first movie in the series ended.
Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) returned home to District 12 after winning the 74th Hunger Games. Both are hoping their lives could go back to normal, but President Snow has other plans for them. He is angry that their win has caused an uproar in all the districts and many of them have started to rebel.
As punishment President Snow sends Katniss and Peeta on a Victory Tour of all the districts – a tour that they will be stuck on forever – in order to convince all the districts that they are truly in love and their relationship during the Hunger Games was not all for show. The pair take it one step further and announce their engagement. They are not really in love but they are going through the engagement to appease President Snow in hopes of one day getting their lives back. President Snow also threatened to kill their families if they cannot convince the districts that their love is genuine.
President Snow is not convinced that Katniss and Peeta’s relationship will stop the rebellions. He is also angry with them for causing the uproar. He orders them to participate in the Third Quarter Quell, which is similar to the original Hunger Games where previous winners will fight for the death until there is one survivor.
The other tributes are forced to participate and blame Katniss and Peeta for it. Their mentor, Haymitch tells the pair that they must make some allies with the other Tributes or they will surely die if all the Tributes go after them.
Peeta tries one last trick to get the games stopped, telling everyone that Katniss is pregnant, but it didn’t work. The games are still going to be played out.
The Third Quarter Quell is another fight for the death. Will Katniss and Peeta make it out alive, or will one have to sacrifice her/his life for the other? What other secretes will be unlocked? To find out you need to pick up a copy of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire available today where most movies are sold.
I didn’t see either movie in the movie theater. Because of the way this movie ended I am going to make sure to see Mockingjay Part I in the theater when it’s released this November. I cannot wait for the film to come out on Blu-ray because I need to know what happens next.
I’m “on the fence” as to which movie I liked more – The Hunger Games or The Hunger Games: Catching Fire? Both were very entertaining and had awesome special effects. I do know that Catching Fire had me anxious to see the next installment more so than Hunger Games. Maybe because I wasn’t as “into it” as I am now.
There are A LOT of bonus features on the Blu-ray/DVD set.
There is a sneak peek of the new film about to be released, Divergent. My daughter is already planning to see that movie with her friends wen it comes out.
There are several deleted scenes from the film. There is also audio compentary from Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson. I know that it’s always nice to hear background information about the film, but I prefer to watch that as a bonus feature, not use the commentary. I didn’t use the audio commentary with this film.
Instead of audio commentary I prefer to watch the behind the scenes stuff.
There is a series of bonus features under Surviving the Game: Making The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. There are nine different behind the scenes featurettes including cast interviews. Personally I enjoy these more than audio commentary.
If you are a fan of The Hunger Games then I would highly recommend that you watch Catching Fire. If you have never seen either film you might want to watch The Hunger Games before you watch Catching Fire so that you are not totally lost. I don’t think Catching Fire is a “stand alone” movie. You need to see the first film, or at least have an idea of what the first part was about, before watching Catching Fire otherwise you’ll be lost as far as the story goes.
Look for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire where movies are sold.
Here is the trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.