When you’ve been ‘enjoying’ the fruits of your labour by winning The Hunger Games, you’d think that it would be easy going. Unfortunately for Ms. Katniss Everdeen & Mr. Peeta Mellark, things would get a little bit complicated because with a great symbol of hope that they displayed in the first movie, of course there are going to be the people who oppose and feel the need to restore the balance of tyranny upon the 12 districts. This movie was the consequence to the actions from The Hunger Games, and it was honestly because of the trailer why I had even an inkling of interest to watch Catching Fire (I didn’t like the first movie that much). Jennifer Lawrence returning to her role as the stubborn & sassy Katniss would hopefully give me something more to look forward to, but it wasn’t only just her that would have to convince me – I was hoping more from the supporting cast as well.

It’s not often that you have sequels that are better than the originals (Shrek 2, Godfather 2, LOTR: The Two Towers, The Bourne Supremacy, etc.), but when the first one was pretty much underwhelming, then that leaves the door wide open as to what to expect from the second movie. I own the books, but I tried reading the first one and didn’t like it. This movie will make me go back, read the first 2 books, and collect myself to prepare for the 3^rd and final installment of the series. This movie is long, but it didn’t feel that way throughout the whole movie like how the first one did. From the get go, there was a lot of tension, and the motives from characters had all been shifted in such a way that you really didn’t know what to expect (again, this is from the perspective of someone who hasn’t read the books, so you snobs can kindly sashay on elsewhere if you have complaints). The jolts of suspense, the conflicting love stories (as I rolled my eyes a few times), and the plot twist that literally had me say ‘wtf’ a number of times throughout the movie – there was a lot happening that kept the pace moving forward.

I liked this movie for the reasons I posted above, but also because of how it ended and what it sets up for the finale. Now…as I scoped on IMDB, they’re making Mockingjay in two parts (SEE WHAT YOU’VE DONE, HARRY POTTER?! SEE?!), and from what looked like a complete disregard in my eyes, I’m now looking forward to them as they roll out over the next couple of years. Sequels in trilogies are so pivotal because they can really have a determination as to where you (YOU) go on forward with it as far as expectations are concerned (unless it’s like Godfather 3, and it’s better off not to watch it at all although 2 was great). I’d definitely recommend seeing it – it’s a good time. If you haven’t watched the first one, you might want to, just saying. But for now, this is my opinion, this is my review

That’s My Word & It STiXX