The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Hunger is a powerful motivating force, one that was made palpable in the first film adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ bestselling, alternate-history, young-adult book series about a nation under the boot of a fascistic ruler. Innocent spitfire Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) has become a reluctant symbol of rebellion since she bested the Hunger Games last time out, inflaming the nation with the realization that there is wiggle room under said boot. Make no mistake, however: The game may have changed, but she’s still a pawn. When Catching Fire inevitably wends its way back to the Hunger Games' gladiatorial horrorscape, the competition is culled from previous victors. The combat action ain’t all that, but Lawrence is a star – as infinitely watchable picking her nose as picking off enemies with a bow and arrow (spoiler: She doesn’t actually pick her nose). This latest film leaves us hungering for more, which means only that it’s working.