Ok, this movie is a lot better than first instalment of the Hunger Games quadrilogy in pretty much every way. The story is much more intricate and has depth, the acting seems to be less cheesy, the direction is much better, the use of visual effects is smarter, the action is much richer and all around more informative, and focus seems to be applied on the bigger themes at play as opposed to focussing the game dynamics and the emotional relationships between the kids. This still doesn't shake my unease for young people being so obsessed with it though. There are some very tough and full on themes running throughout this movie, although, they seem to be swaying much more in favour of something I personally feel, so maybe its for the best.
Let me clarify. The idea of oppression is a big issue and a scary one and one that is nice not to know until you are a bit older, and a bit less innocent. The idea of rebellion is also one better left for a bit older, not only because you need to know the other side to know why you would rebel, but also from the point of view of being a parent: the less kids rebel the better (hehe). However, I feel some parts of the world are in true need of fixing. Celebrity culture, obsessive natures about material things and fashion, talk shows designed to pull every scrap of information out from other peoples lives to a mass audience, magazines full of faked pictures of humans living fake lives with false representations of those lives, the loss of integrity in the world ... I could go on. These are horrible results of the world we live in, and the amazing thing about this movie is it addresses them in a very direct way. It seems conceivable that our world could reach a point like the movie is indicating (almost) and its great to be teaching young people of the consequences of something like that. So, therefore I am in favour of showing those themes and addressing them to young people. For example, the horrible feeling you get when they interview the contestants on that creepy talk show, the ridiculous fashion and how it rules the lives of the elite, the thought of having to drink a potion to cause you to vomit so you can keep eating highlights the excesses that exist in this world, and the themes can be applied to our own. I feel its great to call them out and make you think about them in such a mainstream blockbuster movie.
But, I couldn't help but wonder, how many young people read 1984 when it was released in 1949, or the 50's, or even the 60's? Would any young teens, let alone MOST young teens be reading something like that? If so, then maybe I am over-reacting. But if not, maybe it is concerning. It seems kids aren't given any time to be young and innocent any more and Im not sure what the results of that will be. Angrier and angrier kids who are more connected and more knowledgeable about everything before they can fully comprehend it? That doesn't sound too appealing to me. Even if the odd one or two of them would be as integral, capable and nice as Katniss, most wouldn't be.
And so, I find myself still very confused about this whole thing. If these movies were targeted for adult audiences and explored these themes to an R18+ level then I think I would be gobsmacked by them, but Im still uneasy of the pre-teen appeal of them.
Ultimately I cant fault this movie much, it was a think piece, big action movie and thats typically what I am going for in a blockbuster type film so for that Im thankful. I recommend watching it and enjoying it, but Id be interested if you are left in the conundrum I know find myself in or not. Maybe Im just getting old!
SCORE: 7/10
IMDB Info for Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Let me clarify. The idea of oppression is a big issue and a scary one and one that is nice not to know until you are a bit older, and a bit less innocent. The idea of rebellion is also one better left for a bit older, not only because you need to know the other side to know why you would rebel, but also from the point of view of being a parent: the less kids rebel the better (hehe). However, I feel some parts of the world are in true need of fixing. Celebrity culture, obsessive natures about material things and fashion, talk shows designed to pull every scrap of information out from other peoples lives to a mass audience, magazines full of faked pictures of humans living fake lives with false representations of those lives, the loss of integrity in the world ... I could go on. These are horrible results of the world we live in, and the amazing thing about this movie is it addresses them in a very direct way. It seems conceivable that our world could reach a point like the movie is indicating (almost) and its great to be teaching young people of the consequences of something like that. So, therefore I am in favour of showing those themes and addressing them to young people. For example, the horrible feeling you get when they interview the contestants on that creepy talk show, the ridiculous fashion and how it rules the lives of the elite, the thought of having to drink a potion to cause you to vomit so you can keep eating highlights the excesses that exist in this world, and the themes can be applied to our own. I feel its great to call them out and make you think about them in such a mainstream blockbuster movie.
But, I couldn't help but wonder, how many young people read 1984 when it was released in 1949, or the 50's, or even the 60's? Would any young teens, let alone MOST young teens be reading something like that? If so, then maybe I am over-reacting. But if not, maybe it is concerning. It seems kids aren't given any time to be young and innocent any more and Im not sure what the results of that will be. Angrier and angrier kids who are more connected and more knowledgeable about everything before they can fully comprehend it? That doesn't sound too appealing to me. Even if the odd one or two of them would be as integral, capable and nice as Katniss, most wouldn't be.
And so, I find myself still very confused about this whole thing. If these movies were targeted for adult audiences and explored these themes to an R18+ level then I think I would be gobsmacked by them, but Im still uneasy of the pre-teen appeal of them.
Ultimately I cant fault this movie much, it was a think piece, big action movie and thats typically what I am going for in a blockbuster type film so for that Im thankful. I recommend watching it and enjoying it, but Id be interested if you are left in the conundrum I know find myself in or not. Maybe Im just getting old!
SCORE: 7/10
IMDB Info for Hunger Games: Catching Fire
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