by MICHELLE THOMPSON
Webmaster

In this fall’s most anticipated movie, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson bring another exciting, book-inspired movie to the big screen.

Things have changed in the year since Katniss Everdeen, played by Lawrence, and Peeta Mellark, played by Hutcherson, won the 74th Hunger Games. The people of the 12 districts are starting to hope and are rebelling against the Capitol.

President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland sees this hope as a threat and prepares the 75th Hunger Games, the Quarter Quell, that could change Panem forever.

The movie is based on the second book of the series “The Hunger Games” by author Suzanne Collins.

The first movie, directed by Gary Ross, premiered on the big screen last March. Katniss from District 12 volunteered to take her sister’s place in the Hunger Games. She and Peeta had to face 22 other tributes from other districts and survive an unnatural environment in the arena. They both survived and managed to get out of the game together.

In “Catching Fire,” directed by Francis Lawrence, Katniss and Peeta return to the arena with new tributes, except this time the tributes are also victors from past Hunger Games.

There is also a new Head Gamemaker, Plutarch Heavensbee, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. This time, President Snow is keeping a closer eye on Katniss and Peeta and making sure they don’t ruin the system.

The acting in the movie was superb. You could feel the tributes’ pain, anger, and sometimes happiness or more likely relief. The actors seemed like they were actually in pain or scared when they were attacked.

The cinematography is also greatly improved from the last movie. The camera’s shaking didn’t give me a headache and it went really well with the action of the movie. You feel like you are part of the action and running for your life.

The special effects were amazing. The objects and animals looked realistic. There are some violent scenes so I wouldn’t recommend that students take their younger siblings to the movie.

I haven’t read the books yet, but junior music major Elizabeth Parmer has read the books twice and said that the movie was perfect.

“They left out a few things, but they really weren’t totally necessary and what was in there was very true to the book,” Parmer said.

“I felt that it was one of the best book to movie adaptation I’ve seen.”

I really enjoyed the movie and I would recommend any one who loves action, sci-fi and a little bit of romance. I haven’t read the books yet, but from what I’ve heard so far they keep with the story with just a few minor changes.

I hope you enjoy the movie and may the odds be ever in your favor.