The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Brace yourselves, I am a hugggeeee hunger games fan!

Okay so Catching fire is the second instalment in the Hunger games trilogy and it was incredible. Hunger Games fans won't be disappointed, I know I had very high expectations having read all the books, but the arena, the costumes everything was perfect!!!

Once again Jennifer Lawrence amazed as Katniss Everdeen. This role had to be cast so perfectly in order to get everyone to want her lead and actually like the character. Lawrence is so entertaining and captivating in the role, we can't help but love her!

This film saw Katniss become even more aware of the consequences of her victory in the previous games. Rebellion and riots are beginning and this film is clearly building up to the third and final act (Mocking Jay). Of course this is being split into two films meaning more action for us :P

Now the relationship between Katniss and Peeta is becoming more serious in the eye of Panem and we also see their private relationship grow. Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark is so sweet and loveable in his role. But of course the only person standing in the way of his happiness with Katniss is Gale, played by Liam Hemsworth. A particularly distressing scene  in this film is the torture/whipping of Gale in the town square.

Another character and personal favourite of mine is Haymitch played by the awesome Woody Harrelson. He provides most of the comedy within this film. Of course the film would also be nothing without Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), Katniss' stylist who makes the incredible dresses in this film, Effie (Elizabeth Banks) who we really grow fond of in this film and Caesar (Stanley Tucci) who has some awesome costumes in this film haha.

Now we can't fail to mention some of the new characters and the two I felt who particularly stole some of the scenes, Sam Clafin as the gorgeous Finnick Odair and Jena Malone as the feisty Johanna Mason. These two characters I personally became really attached to, particularly once the games have begun.

Now without spoiling anything, can I just say the arena in this film was spot on! So thank you filmmakers, it was truly awesome!

So yeah, this film is a lot darker and is so much bigger and better than the first film! There has been a clear development in all the old characters. President Snow is more evil, Katniss is more kick ass and Haymitch is drunker!

But seriously, love this series. Some people fail to credit the film and don't see the real genius behind it. Look at it as a prediction for the future and take away the social messages and I think you may be able to appreciate the film in a lot more depth. Love it!

Now you see me

Incredible! This film was everything I hoped it would be! Cinema magic...

The opening,which I daren't spoil is awesome, how this trick is done I will never know (If you know don't tell me!). I felt that the opening to the film was really strong and immediately pulled the audience in. I loved seeing how the four horsemen came to be and experiencing a little bit of their individual street magic beforehand.

The four horsemen are played by Jesse Eisenberg (J.Daniel Atlas), Isla Fisher (Henley Reeves), Dave Franco (Jack Wilder) and Woody Harrelson (Merritt McKinney). Together they were so entertaining as the collection of rebellious magicians. I think Woody Harrelson in particular was my favourite as the mentalist who can read people and hypnotise audiences.

I think this film is definitely one to watch in the cinema. The spectacle of the film is awesome, particularly with the magic performed on stage.  On a larger screen and surround sound, it is easy to become submerged in the magic of the film and feel like a real audience watching the horsemen live on stage.

Additionally I felt that the rest of the cast: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Mark Ruffalo and Melanie Laurent, were brilliant. I felt myself consistently entertained by the contrast of the intelligence of the magicians and of the FBI agent Dylan Rhodes (Ruffalo).

The twists of the film are kept well hidden and therefore come as a surprise at the end. I have to say am surprised by the mixed reception the film has had, but I personally loved the film. It was clever and entertaining and who doesn't love a bit of magic. The casting for this film was perfect and I really loved the cinematography and how well the camera was used as a device to mirror our eyes and how we view magic as an audience.

I really recommend this and definitely think that the cinema is the best place to view it if you are considering it.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆