The Hunger Games – Catching Fire – Directed by Francis Lawrence

Hollywood churns through stories at a rate of knots. So when they make a movie based on a popular book, the books fans hold their breath to see if justice is done to their favourite charcters.

I haven’t read any of the Hunger Games books, so I can’t say if the two films are true to the original.

But I Can tell you this is – on a bad day – The Hunger Games Catching Fire is  a five star film.

Wow! – – What a flick.

For me it’s a political sci fi thriller love story and it’s in my top three films this year alongside Elysium and Gravity.

The film begins as Katniss Everdeen  – Jennifer Lawrence –  – has returned home safe after winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games along with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark  – Josh Hutcherson.

Winning means that they must turn around and leave their family and close friends, embarking on a “Victor’s Tour” of the districts. Along the way Katniss senses that a rebellion is simmering, but the Capitol is still very much in control as President Snow prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games (The Quarter Quell) – a competition that could change Panem forever. Let’s take a look.

One of the best elements of the story for me is the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale Hawthorne played by Liam Hemsworth.

Katniss is in love with Gale who begs her to run away and live in the bush. But to keep her family safe she must live out a public fairy tale romance with Peeta – who has had a crush on Katniss for years.

Lenny Kravitz is great as are Donald Sutherland as the evil President Snow, Elizabeth Banks as Effie, Woody Harrelson as Haymich, Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch and my favourite – Stanley Tucci as Cesar Flickerman – the game show host with the most – Andrew – you could classes from this guy.

A true blockbuster – 5 stars.