It’s the day HUNGER GAMES fans have been waiting for all year! Today, CATCHING FIRE hits theatres across Canada and delivers all the nail-biting action and Katniss-fueled passion we could have hoped for.
Along with a slew of eager fans, THE MAGAZINE attended Tuesday night’s Canadian premiere in Toronto. Also in attendance were Sam Clafin (who plays the dashing Finnick Odair) and the lovely Jena Malone (who plays Johanna Mason). The two newcomers took some time to greet fans and introduce themselves to the audience before the screening.
Anyone who’s read the trilogy by Suzanne Collins will know that the sequel is not just about Katniss’ return to the arena. In fact, much of CATCHING FIRE follows the Victors’ Tour that Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) take following the 74th Annual Hunger Games.
Dazzling costumes, Capitol grandeur and love triangle drama set the movie in motion right from the beginning. As the tour unfolds, so does rebellion across the districts. It soon becomes a smoke and mirrors game as Peeta and Katniss continue the charade of their romance, all which trying to save their families from the threats made by the sinister President Snow (Donald Sutherland).
Of course, it wouldn’t be THE HUNGER GAMES without a return to the brutal arena that first earned Katniss her mockingjay status. With Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) as the head gamemaker, Katniss and Peeta must return to the all-stars edition: the 75th Annual Hunger Games, also known as the Quarter Quell.
Tropical frights including vicious monkeys, poisonous smog, blood rain and shrieking jabberjays are in full swing as the victors make alliances and battle it out. It all comes to boil when the alliance becomes stronger than anyone could have ever imagined. Alas, the victors ban together against the Capitol once and for all.
With many favourites returning to the fold (including Elizabeth Banks as the hilarious Effie Trinket and Woody Harrelson as mentor Haymitch Abernathy), the movie checks all the boxes in terms of quality and spectacle.
We would almost go as far as to say it was even better than the first movie. And for a sequel, that’s saying a lot. Thankfully, CATCHING FIRE lived up to all the hype and kept us on the edge of our seats from start to finish!
RATING: 5/5