‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’
2 stars
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Jeffrey Wright.
Director: Francis Lawrence.
Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt, based on the Suzanne Collins novel.
Running time: 146 minutes.
Rated: PG-13.
Playing in 2-D at: Battle Ground Cinema, Cascade 16, Cinema 99, Cinetopia Mill Plain, Cinetopia Vancouver Mall, City Center 12, Lloyd Center, Lloyd Mall, Pioneer Place.
Playing in IMAX at: Cascade 16, Lloyd Center.
In the adaptation of the second installation in Suzanne Collins’ young adult trilogy, there’s certainly plenty that has changed. Rebellion against the totalitarian rule of President Snow (Donald Sutherland) in the 12 districts of Panum is growing. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is now a beloved hero with the weight of celebrity on her shoulders. And Philip Seymour Hoffman, bless him, has found his way into the proceedings.
Yet the general plot — a journey from Katniss’ poor hometown of District 12 to a climactic game of human hunting in “the arena,” with high-speed train rides and training sessions in between — is identical to the first “Hunger Games.”