On Nov. 22, fans of The Hunger Games series screamed with joy. After being voted as the “most anticipated movie of 2013” on film website Fandango, Catching Fire has exceeded the expectations of many.
The plot follows Katniss Everdeen, the main female protagonist, and Peeta Mellark, the main male protagonist, after they’ve won the Hunger Games in the previous movie and returned to their normal lives. Yet Katniss is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and Peeta, who originally had an outgoing personality, does not smile anymore. Just when they think the Hunger Games over, Katniss and Peeta face another game just like it called Third Quarter Quell.
Many have been praising the second movie installment of The Hunger Games trilogy. Sabrina An, a sophomore at West Ranch High School, stated “I watched Catching Fire twice! The camerawork and pace of this movie makes it more enjoyable and interesting. This [film] is definitely better than the first one!”
Francis Lawrence, the director of Catching Fire, has expressed his joy with the success of his film. During an interview with MTV News, he stated “The trick is not over-explaining, and that was a fine line that I think we were able to tread appropriately.”
Catching Fire has impressed movie critics by surpassing the $800 million mark at the box office. It has already surpassed the original in terms of gross receipts. In the midst of this success, it has also been reported that the cast is preparing to film the final installment of the science fiction trilogy to be adapted from the books by Suzanne Collins, Mockingjay.
Candace Ro, a sophomore at West Ranch High School, shared, “After watching this sequel and its success, I am so excited and curious about how the last sequel will play out on the big screen.”
