I’m getting ready to go see Catching Fire – the second movie in The Hunger Games series, by watching the first again. Â I’m a huge fan of both the books and the movie. Â It was an ambitious undertaking to transfer the stories of Suzanne Collins to film and the makers of The Hunger Games did it superbly.
The Story
In a future time, each district of what was once North America, is forced to send two representatives (one male, one female) to battle to the death. Â Twenty-four teenagers are pitted against each other and only one will survive. Â Even more astonishing is that it’s a televised battle, with the entire country watching.
Names of each age-eligible child is put into a lottery, varying amounts of times depending on different factors. Â Young Primrose Everdeen has a nightmare that she will be chosen, but her sister Katniss assures her that won’t happen, she will only have her name in once after all. Â The catch-phrase of the games is “May the Odds Be Ever In Your Favor” Â and sadly the odds do not favor Primrose. Â But one of the variations of the games is that someone can substitute themselves for the chosen. Â Katniss shocks everyone and volunteers to take the place of her sister.
The Cast
Jennifer Lawrence, one of my favorite actresses since I saw her in Winter’s Bone, stars as Katniss Everdeen. Â She is incredible in the role. Â Strong but clearly an underdog, she has us rooting for her to win, but somehow not to be hurt emotionally by what she has to do to win. Â She is beautiful but in a way that is quirky and approachable. Â Her beauty is more than her features, it’s her personality. Â Jennifer Lawrence makes us believe in Katniss and her story. Â The range of emotions that shows on her face is incredible.
Josh Hutcherson plays Peeta, the male representative of District 12.  He has the challenge of portraying someone who is fighting for his life against the love of his life, for it turns out that he is in love with Katniss.  Josh is skilled in the role, sharing with the audience the struggle of sacrifice and love.
Stanley Tucci, plays Caesar Flickerman, the television host and narrator.  Woody Harrelson stars as Haymitch Abernathy, a past District 12 victor.  In Harrelson’s character, the audience sees that a “victor” may have one the game but lost his soul.  Winning the games may be more of a punishment than losing.  Liam Hemsworth plays Gale Hawthorne, the man who is as close to a brother, friend, and boyfriend that Katniss has ever had.  Lenny Kravitz skillfully plays Cinna, the man who dresses, styles, and cares for Katniss.  Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, and Wes Bentley also star.
Success
The Hunger Games earned $408,010,692 in North America, and $283,237,076 in other countries, for a worldwide total of $691,247,768. It made the largest worldwide opening weekend for a film not released during the summer or the holiday period, earning $211.8 million.
The Next Film – The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Catching Fire keeps everything we loved from the first film – the love triangle, the rebellion, the strength of Katniss – and adds more. Â More excitement, more fashion, more complexity. Â I loved Catching Fire! Â The enemy is clear in this one, the government of the Capitol shows itself as even more evil than in the first Hunger Games. Â Katniss’ decisions are having larger consequences and she begins to question what is real and what is right. Â The next round of the games has even more twists and turns than the first one with the contestants smarter and stronger. Â And there is even more at stake. Â No spoilers – go see it!
Enter to win the 2-Disc Blu-Ray + Digital Copy of The Hunger Games in the Rafflecopter form below:
Disclosure: I was sent the DVD for review, but since I already had my own copy, I’m passing it on to a lucky reader. Â The promotion was sponsored by Connect Your Home.
I think I’d have her end up with neither/no one because she’s such a strong individual by herself! I think having her by herself just continues to play off of how independent she is
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Alone
My husband took me to that movie for my birthday. You are going to love it. I think the second one they did a much better job sticking to the book.
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I would have her end up with nobody because I feel like I would want to capture her strength and independence through all of her struggles.
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I could go into ridiculous analysis… I’ll have to see. Right now I lean Gale, but there are pros and cons to both. Or alone. I guess ideally she should wait for the perfect guy instead of settling for the one with the most pros/least cons.
Hard question! I would say alone!
I think Katniss is best by herself, she’s tough!
I think alone because I don’t know if she was really ready for someone else.
i think i would have her end up with peeta, thanks!
probably be better off alone
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Alone!!
my choice was always peeta for her.
I’d have her end up with Peeta.
I think if it were my choice I would have Katniss be alone
Hard choice, I can’t decide…leaning towards peeta I guess.
Wow. If I were just going from the first movie I would say Gale. But with all 3 of the books under my belt I can’t choose anyone but Peeta. :)
alone, because she cnt decide who is more important to her, when , in fact, shes stronger by herself.
I want to see her end up with Gale!
I would have her end up alone, she is a strong woman!
she is best by herself
I think I would have her end up on her own.
Because she’s so independent I would say alone but dating!
Peeta! He loved her first and always. In the end, Gale couldn’t put his own wishes above Katniss, and that did him in for me!
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I’d put her with Peeta. He’s helped her through so much.
I would have to say Gale. Thanks for the giveaway.
I think Katniss should be alone
I like peeta.
I commented on easy holiday meal fun.
on her own or with gale
Answer D: someone else
Why does she have to choose, she is complete in herself and does not need someone else to make her anymore awesome than she is at this time, plus that leaves us another opening to another movie sequel. LOL
Commented on CVS flu shot post.
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I’m going to go with alone.
Peeta for sure!
with Peeta or alone she is such a strong char.
Probably alone.
I would have her end up with Gale. Thank you for the super giveaway opportunity. Keep up the terrific blogging.
i would leave her alone, sometime woman are much stronger without a man.
I’d have her end up alone
Peeta without a doubt.
I like her to be with Peeta
probably alone
I would have her end with Peeta :).
Alone would probably be best.
Probably alone would be the best
Probably alone would be the best (it put in the wrong name on my other post sorry)
Alone.
I guess I’d have to say Gale
Alone. She is kick ass just by herself!
No question about it, Peeta!
I commented on the Carter clothes post.
With Gale!!
I’d choose alone!
I definitely think alone. She is such a strong individual.
We have not seen this movie yet, but have heard a lot of good things about it from friends and my brother too. Hubby and I will have to check it out sometime soon.
I commented on this non giveaway post; June S. says:
January 20, 2014 at 12:32 pm
(Shopping For The Whole Family At #RadioShack This Holiday Season #Sponsored #MC) We shop at Radio Shack all the time, I also can rent movies there. You can get any new released movie for 2 for 3.00 but only on Tuesdays for that great deal.
I’d have her end up walking away on her own, as she couldn’t possibly choose one guy over the other.
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If I were the author, I would have Katniss end up with Peeta.
I’ve only watched and read the first book so far, so I am reserving my decision until I see how things play out in books 2 & 3.
alone – she’s too strong
I think she doesn’t need both as a romantic partner -she’s better off as being friends with them. She can strong enough to be alone.