Posters, trailers, book singings and endless photos of the Hunger Games’s sequel, Catching Fire built the anticipation for the new release, as well as my expectations. Being a legitimate fan, having read the books, my family and I decided to attend the premiere showing of Catching Fire, Nov. 22.

This movie follows the consequences and life of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) after her performance in the 74th Hunger Games, where she cheated the game makers and both her and her on-screen love interest, Peeta Melark (Josh Hutcherson), survived.

Now, with President Snow (Donald Sutherland) out to get her, Katniss struggles with balancing her family’s safety from Capital harm and appeasing the population she inspired in the districts. Katniss’s stubbornness creates endless trouble for her, bringing dire consequences to her entire “race.”

Due to the threat that Katniss poses of stirring an uprising, President Snow decides to make the 75th Hunger Games a special event, being that it’s the third quarter quell. This meaning that the 24 tributes will be chosen from the victors in each district, dooming Katniss to death.

The rest of the movie is jam-packed with action from the actual game events, including fight scenes, special effects and mind games. But the beginning of the movie follows the recovery of Katniss and Petta after their first Hunger Games.

One of the things that impressed me, especially as someone who read the books, was the casting. The other victors were casted perfectly, matching my own representation of them. I especially enjoyed seeing Sam Claflin as Finnick and Jena Malone as Joanna. Their embodiment of the characters was spot-on, even adding in light humor to the darker atmosphere of the plot.

The flick also developed Katniss’s character very well. The second installment dealt a lot with her post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which included nightmares and flashbacks.

Jennifer Lawrence’s acting during these scenes, especially, was very impressive. Her acting has improved a lot since the previous film and it was obvious in the dynamic character she portrayed in just two hours.

The relationships between the Katniss love triangle fed my inner teenage fangirl. There was plenty of romantic scenes throughout the book that were tactfully done, but obviously added to appease the audience.

The special effects during the games were quite entertaining. I particularly enjoyed the animals; they were similar to ones in our world, but genetically altered to become vicious killers.

Another highlight of Catching Fire were the costumes and sets. The extravagant dresses and suits compared to the poverty-stricken rags emphasized the growing disparity between classes, spurring revolution. The costumes and sets also added to the tone of the story, which differed greatly from the previous movie.

For the amount of action and detail they put into the movie, the two and half hours seemed to fly by. By the end of the movie I had experienced many emotion: I cried, I laughed, and even “awww-ed.”

I would state that this movie is solely a sequel, meaning that if you wish to enjoy this film you must watch the previous one. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and loved watching it alongside my family.

If you want to spend two hours submerged in a whole different world, spend the few bucks to watch this film and you won’t regret it.

Catching Fire runs at 146 minutes and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language.

This author can be reached via Twitter: @TyninFries. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.

For more entertainment, read the Nov. 20 article, Switchfoot extended play incorporates human condition.