In an intimidating futuristic dystopian society made up of 12 varying districts, one courageous girl threatens to change everything. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, sequel of The Hunger Games trilogy, hits theaters Nov. 22 and CHS students are highly anticipating its arrival.
In The Hunger Games, 1
6-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook) and Peeta Mallark (Josh Hutcherson, Bridge to Terabithia,) from the solemn District 12, are awarded joint victors of the Hunger Games by creatively outsmarting the Capitol. In The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the teens’ defiant behavior catches up with them: on the day that Katniss and Peeta are prepared to start a “Victory Tour” of Panem, they are visited by President Snow, who is angry with them for breaking the rules of the Games. He explains that their behavior has inspired rebellion within the districts. President Snow informs Katniss that he will be watching her, and warns her not to perform anymore disobedient acts.
“I’m excited for the movie because I really like how The Hunger Games was portrayed by the director,” freshman Tatiana Teixeria said. “I like how the movies have a modern twist.”
Catching Fire
tells the story of Panem’s “Quarter Quell,” which is the same as the standard Hunger Games, only with an unexpected twist.
“My expectations are higher than that of the Hunger Games,” sophomore Megan Roche said. “I think the fact that the tributes are past victors will make it much more intense.”
Katniss knows that she and Peeta will be chosen to compete in the 75th Hunger Games and makes it her duty to ensure that Peeta becomes the Quarter Quell’s victor.
“I think the relationship between Peeta and Katniss will develop more and their feelings about each other will become clear,” senior Bridget Dromerick said. “However, I think that the movies fail to represent the relationship as well as the books do.”
Many CHS students are also anticipating how certain scenes will be interpreted.
“I am anxious to see how they portray different scenes from the book,” senior Audrey Hagege said. “Especially the scene where Katniss loses her hearing.”
In preparation for the movie, some students are planning to emulate Katniss’ effortless style.
“When I go to see the movie I’m going to wear my hair in a waterfall braid,” Teixeira said, referring to Katniss’ signature hairdo.
Movies based on books oftentimes exclude essential parts, change characters’ traits, and stretch a single book into multiple movies to improve profit, leading to criticism from those who are loyal to the books.
Students who are fans of the books but were disappointed by the first movie are hoping that Catching Fire will outshine The Hunger Games.
“I am going to the midnight premiere because I love the Hunger Games books,” freshman Lana Bedsole said. “I don’t think that the first movie was that good, so I’m hoping that the second movie will make up for that.”
