Sly Cherry Chunks wrote:^cant just leave it at that. What made it better than the first one? (Apart from the lack of silly monsters). I enjoyed both movies.
Sure thing.
The first is like a 6. Not the worst score ever, but too much weakness from a directorial and narrative standpoint. There was no bite to it, it all felt too PG-13, and the allegorical message was hazy at best. I actually did a run down of it a few posts ago, since I only watched it the other night, but generally the games themselves were far too flimsy and its themes weren't properly defined. A lot of it felt a bit silly and off the beat, too.
Catching Fire, well, everything the first film should have been essentially. The dread is deeper, the allegorical rich and poor theme much stronger, and the fascist nature of the state far better defined. The build up didn't rush it, instead taking its time to let the themes breathe. It also helped they fired the original cinematographer and found someone who can hold a camera still.
I'm still not too into the whole baroque wardrobe thing, but I appreciate it outlines the disgusting and ignorant natures of the wealthy, bloodthirsty oppressors.
Key factors: Donald Sutherland, Donald Sutherland, Donald Sutherland. I like Kiefer, but his old man still puts the kid to absolute shame when it comes to the trade. Sutherland's performance added so much to the sinister, it can't be overstated. Without him, it's doubtful the film would have managed to evoke the same feel. The fact he was so much more established here speaks volumes about his reduced role in the original.
From a commercial perspective, the general pace was tight, the narrative focussed, the fat cut away. No masterwork of dialogue, but adequate, and as per the original, the lack of music was welcome.
More importantly, the games themselves were actually entertaining. Some people actually died, and although they spent too much time killing wild baboons instead of humans, there was more invention, violence and tension in the overall affair. And even though the ending was ridiculous, since the secret collaborators would never have forseen or been able to prepare for it, I can give it a pass because it was fucking cool - and that counts for something in my book.
Sadly, I have a terrible feeling this will be by far the best of the entire saga. I hope to eat my words.
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