What happens you create a global phenomenon? You are allowed more time and money to build a cohesive story, and construct characters that people may actually want to root for. Francis Lawrence, taking over for Gary Ross, got a little more room to breathe from the studio, and it showed. The characters were more lush, the stakes felt higher (a big problem with the first), and I actually didn't want Peeta to die. And boy, did I really want him to die in the first one. Jennifer Lawrence is even better in this installment. Her character Katniss, suffering from PTSD, stays a compelling emotional anchor to the story. The compassion and resilience she exudes almost makes the audience want to join in the revolution against the capital that she has become the symbol of. The only major criticisms of the film I had was how, at times, some of the conflict seemed a forced, which took you out of the scenes, and the cinematography was a little less then ideal for some of the action scenes. It was all forgiven by the performances of a tight ensemble, and some beautiful scenic design.
Grade: B+
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Donald Sutherland
Director: Francis Lawrence
Writer(s): Simon Beaufoy & Michael Arndt - Novel: Suzanne Collins
RT: 146 min
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language
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