Whenever a new film is brought to the screen, there is always a chance that it will eventually fall victim to the dreaded sequel curse. The sequel curse is known a known Hollywood phenomenon where a celebrated film is followed by a second film that dulls in comparison. There are a few films that have managed to thwart this curse, which includeCaptain America: The Winter SoldierandThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
In 2008, Suzanne Collins published the first book inThe Hunger Gamesfranchise. The novel would be adapted into a film starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth in 2012. Collins published sequels (Catching FireandMockingjay) in the following years 2009 and 2010. All of Collins' novelswould be adapted into films(withMockingjaydivided into two parts), but the film that is universally considered the best isCatching Fire.
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Catching Firepicks up shortly afterThe Hunger Gamesand provides a glimpse into how quickly life can change in Panem if one is crowned Victor of the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson) made history at the 74th Hunger Games, as it is the only Games to have multiple winners. The result did not sit well withPresident Snow (Donald Sutherland), who begins to demonstrate that while the Games are over, Katniss and Peeta still belong to him and the Capitol.Catching Firebegins with Katniss and Peeta setting off on their Victors Tour across the Panem Districts where they are firsthand witnesses to the rebellion that has been spurred by their actions in Games.
The sequel ofThe Hunger Gamesbegins with a new reason to survive. As opposed to the first film, Katniss and Peeta areno longer struggling to survivein District 12 or merely in the Games, but they must submit themselves to the political world they now find themselves in. Unlike other Victors of the Games, Katniss and Peeta’s win (and defiance of the rules) is far more symbolic. The choices Katniss and Peeta made in the 74th Games begin to carry additional weight inCatching Fire. They are no longer representations of only their District, but of a rebellion. Any successful sequel should meaningfully build on a film’s prior events and characters rather than alter or repeat what has already occurred.
Katniss and Peeta may witness the rebellion for the first time during their Victors Tour, but Snow is well aware of it. When Katniss and Peeta fail todispel the growing rebellion, Snow makes an alteration to the third Quarter Quell (75th Hunger Games). Normally, two names are drawn during the Reaping that reveals the participants for the Hunger Games. Children between the ages of 12-18 are entered into the Reaping but Snow decides that for the 75th Games, the participants will be pulled from previous Hunger Games winners. As the only woman to win from District 12, Katniss is forced back into the Games.
Within the Quarter Quell,Catching Firecontinues to separate itself from other films inThe Hunger Gamesfranchise. It not only builds on Katniss, Peeta, Gale (Hemsworth), Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), Effie (Elizabeth Banks), and Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) but introduces plenty of new faces that become massive parts of the franchise. While viewers are thrust back into another Hunger Games, there are layers withinCatching Firethat make it the most important film in the franchise. Normally, Katniss is the one devising the plans and is the lens the audience uses to learn about Panem through. InCatching Fire, Katniss is the one who is left in the dark.
The new Gamemaker, Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), arrives with an aura that suggests there is something larger at play. Plutarch carries himself more confidently than the previous Gamemaker Seneca Crane, while in the presence of President Snow. Some of the former Hunger Games Victors emit a similar ambiance, which raises Katniss' suspicions and intrigue. Beetee (Jeffrey Wright), Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), and Johanna Mason (Jena Malone) are all pivotal introductions to the expanding sci-fi world of Panem.
Throughout the Quarter Quell, a number of tributes sacrifice themselves for the benefit of others (particularly Katniss and Peeta). It is not until the end ofCatching Firethat those choices are fully understood. Haymitch and Plutarchcollaborated on a planthat would ensure Katniss made it out of the Games alive. As the “Mockingjay” of the revolt against the Capitol, Katniss was essential and many in the Games knew that. Therefore, they were willing to sacrifice themselves to guarantee she would live and that the rebellion would continue on. The secrecy surrounding that givesCatching Firean edge that the otherHunger Gamesfilms do not have.
The Hunger Games,Mockingjay Part 1,andMockingjay Part 2all present the action as it happens. There is little room for any surprises or depth to what occurs in those films.The Hunger Gamesestablishes Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Effie, and President Snow, and what they hold dear. It sets up Panem, the Districts, and of course, the Hunger Games. BothMockingjayfilms are tasked with dealing with the rebellion and what Katniss' role is within it. Peeta becomes obsolete as he is held by the Capitol and further isolated from the rebels once he’s rescued because of his irrational actions brought upon by the serum the Capitol injected him with.
Catching Fireescapes the sequel curse by serving as the ideal bridge film betweenThe Hunger GamesandMockingjay Part 1, while also being able to serve as a dominant film on its own. The tension between Katniss, Peeta, and Snow is evident inCatching Firethat even if onehadn’t seenThe Hunger Games, they would still be able to understand what had transpired between them. The start of the rebellion, the change of rules in the Games, and Katniss' significance to the rebellion is all spelled out inCatching Firewithout the need for the other films. It’s rare to see a sequel accomplish that and yet,Catching Firemanages to be the best film in the entire franchise.
