The Hunger Games

[canadian_turtle]

I'd say you'll be a little confused about the world it's set in and who the characters are. Do you have any time at all to watch the first film beforehand? If not, perhaps read up on it on wiki :)

[asamaic]

I'd say you'll be a little confused about the world it's set in and who the characters are. Do you have any time at all to watch the first film beforehand? If not, perhaps read up on it on wiki :)

I have a Sweet Sundays code to use up today and there are loads of showings for The Hunger Games.

I wasn't sure how much this film stood on its own - but you guys are raving about it, which is why I'm considering it.

[canadian_turtle]

It requires previous knowledge and it has an blatant open ending, so it's not a good stand-alone imho.

[lovesitx]

I saw it on Friday and woooooow!!! Probably the best book to film adaptation I've ever seen. It was exactly how I imagined, and I am so glad they got rid of the whole shakey cam thing from the first film.

Obviously Jennifer Lawrence was amazing, but for me the stand out has to be Jena Malone, she KILLED IT as Johanna. She is probably my favourite character along with Finnick (who was also played perfectly, swoooooon) from the books so I was worried whether or not she could pull off, I obviously had no need to be. The lift scene was hilarious, I also loved all her eff you's to Snow.

And that ending, even though you know what happens it's going to be a tough 12 months waiting for Mockingjay.

Ahhh I just need to see it again now. And again. . . . And again!!!

[weirdfilms33]

I absolutely loved this. I wasn't sure how it would all pan out given the change of director but it turned out to be even better than the first film. As a literary adaptation it was astonishingly faithful - the arena was just as I had imagined it, and extremely exciting. Jennifer Lawrence was outstanding - it sort of goes without saying - and she was supported by an admirable cast. I was particularly partial to Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jeffrey Wright (the latter is criminally underrated). Francis Lawrence's direction approached the love triangle without sentimentalising it and brought out the novel's underlying socio-political themes with immense power. I was truly impressed with how the film swept me for a few hours into the world of Panem and compelled me to care for the characters. The series has finally filled the Harry Potter-shaped void that entered my life after the release of the Deathly Hallows.

Bravo, Catching Fire filmmakers. I physically can't wait for Mockingjay Part 1.

10/10 - and there's more buoyant praise in my review: http://jacobthehobnob.wordpress.com/201 ... hing-fire/

[deb1]

Saw this earlier in Showcase Paisley with OH, McG and teddybear1.
This was so much better than the first film....I enjoyed it much better than the first. However I would definitely say you need to see the first instalment before seeing this one. Fab special effects.
Looking forward to the next one....
8/10 from me.

[funthing29]

I am impressed how well the second film captures the mood and spirit of the book (often the middle story can be the weak link in a trilogy) while ramping things up nicely for the final installments yet still remaining incredibly faithful to the source material. The Quarter Quell in particular is wonderful to watch and the tension to the high octane third act is built up nicely at the start of the film. Jennifer Lawrence was outstanding, even better than the first film, and is growing beautifully into the role of Katniss.

My only criticism is that I felt the running time and thought it was slightly too long. 9/10.

[ploggit]

Saw this tonight too - the last of many Sweet Sundays. Managed to make an average book into a very watchable film. Now all the more jealous of my friend who met Jennifer Lawrence, albeit briefly, at the London premiere.

And Family Guy fans - is it just me or did everyone sound like Lois Griffin when they were calling out Peta's name??

[stuartboy]

Saw Catching Fire today and was blown away! Brilliant. Totally immersed in the story and the setting. Never noticed 2 1/2 hours fly by. Loved it so much that I felt short-changed when it seemed to stop suddenly without ending. I know it is part 2 of a trilogy, but even still...does the second book end as abruptly? And will it really be 2015 before we see the final episode?

10/10

[McG]

Saw this tonight using the last of my Sweet Sunday vouchers. Joined in Paisley be teddybear1, deb1 +OH. Passports were shown as they crossed the border into Paisley for the 1st time . . .and I do mean literally! Passports were indeed produced.
I have to admit it took me 20 mins to get back in to the story and then it was off and running . . .literally! I really enjoyed the film but was fascinated by the arrows in the holder . . .one shot, no arrows left as all been fired, next view, 4 arrows quickly followed by a full bunch again. Amazing stuff . . . or dreadful continuity!
As with others I was totally immersed in the film and taken aback by the sudden end.
When the 3rd film comes out, I'm going to try and watch films 1 & 2 before the 3rd one.
Marks 8/10