Katniss Everdeen goes
“Godfather III” in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”: “Just when I thought I
was out, they pull me back in.” That’s the story here: One year after the Appalachian
teen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her maybe platonic pal Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) survived
an Orwellian government’s “Most Dangerous Game” for Youth, she’s sucked back into
the blood sport for Round 2, up against fellow veterans that include Hutcherson
back as the Cub Scout kid, and Sam Claflin (that awful fourth “Pirates’ film”) as
a swashbuckler stud with a secret. Donald Sutherland as the dictator of this FUBAR
USA still sparkles evil winks, knowing he’s the Actor King on set. Even Philip
Seymour Hoffman as a new Game Master bows to his greatness. This sequel -– like its
own source –- digs darker as Katniss finds herself a hero/pawn in a far-too-real
game that has soldiers executing old men in public. Lawrence owns this film.
Post “Silver Linings Playbook” Oscar win, she could phone it in. She seems the real deal. Truly. Director Francis Lawrence (“I am Legend”) may
not have the heart-breaker moments that scored the first installment, but the
final shot pumps the blood for more Games. A-
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