The Hunger Games : Catching Fire / Rated PG-13 for violence, garish costuming and some kissing.

After the blockbuster Harry Potter films began to run out of stories they decided to split the last book in order to keep the cash cow alive and flowing. The Hunger Games Catching Fire is based on part two of a trilogy of stories. Part one made enough money to support the entire world for 6 months and still show a profit. Part two is already on course for a gazillion dollars. The next film would be based on the last book but the studio said NO NO NO, and copied what Harry Potter did. One long film now in production to be released in two parts in 2014 and 2015 . The titles will be THG Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2 based on the book Part 3. All of the original cast will show up watching bigger paydays and instead of banking the money they buy a bank to hold their money. Check the opening weekend box office results and you’ll see that I am correct.

Jennifer Lawrence returns as the heroine and gets to shoot lots of arrows. Donald Sutherland is again the bad guy running the government. Philip Seymour Hoffman is added as an assistant bad guy. Stanley Tucci returns as the emcee of the show. Woody Harrelson is still the coach of the combatants from District 12. Liam Hemsworth, brother of Chris Hemsworth (Thor) shows staying power. Jack Quaid, son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid and nephew of Randy Quaid is added as a new combatant. JQ should make enough money from this film to bail out Uncle Randy from all his problems.

The story follows the events of part one and is preceding the events of part three and part four which is really an extension of part three. Things are still horrible in the 12 Districts where all the miserable live. The big city where the elite and the government reside is like Elysium. See prior review on Elysium for details. Through a trick of the government and a rule change, former winners of the gladiator like contest have to return and fight it out again. This would be like telling the winner of the Super Bowl they would have to replay the entire season before they get the trophy.

The first hour and 15 minutes is a lot of anguish, soap opera and misery. The second hour is a lot better. That’s when the games begin. This time everyone is much more experienced. No really young children. Since the games are in their 75th edition even a combatant from the home for the gray and elderly is in the fight. She has to be carried around a lot. Walkers not allowed in the combat arena. She calls all her competitors Bingo. To tone down the violence we don’t see as much of the violent death as the first time around. We just hear the explosions of the death cannon and see the deceased each night in pictures in the sky. Most of the threats to the combatants come from the strange and never ending sequence of natural events which keep them running. Who knew monkeys and fog could be this dangerous?

The film ends with an obvious set up for the upcoming sequels based on a single sequel. THG leading stars and production companies are making an offer on Fort Knox to hold their money.

Rated 3.0 out of 4.0 parts out of 3.0 books. As Harry Potter would say to the cast and crew… bibbidi-bobbidi-boo… more money coming in for you.