Considering the great anticipation and critical acclaim generated by The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, it will come as no surprise that this film review will be a positive one. Moreover, it’s important to note that this movie is one of the best adaptations of a book series I have ever seen. (And that’s high praise coming from a Potterhead.)

The film begins with the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, standing on the edge of a forest. She is hunting, and remembering her shadowy past – a past of murder, blood, and massacre, all sensationalized for a live audience. She is going on her last shoot before the “Victory Tour,” a trip where she and her partner, Peeta Mellark, will journey to the other districts to show off their triumph over the other “tributes.” Neither Katniss nor Peeta want to go on this tour. Even worse is that President Snow’s doubts their relationship, whether or not Peeta and Katniss are truly in love, and whether their trick with the poisonous berries was an act of love or an act of revolution. The movie advances swiftly, with a fast pace and a thrilling plot. The further into the tour Katniss and Peeta travel, the more dilemmas seem to follow.

The film is a major step up from its predecessor, fixing some of the production problems of original Hunger Games film, from the shaky camera to the ponderous script. This second installment seems to be a lot lighter and more humorous in spite of its dark approach.

The acting exceeds most expectations, with each actor portraying depth of emotion and delivering each line with drama that is neither too subtle nor too intense. The performance of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss is truly extraordinary, and her character’s determination to conquer known evil is so devout and passionate that it made me want to stand in the theater and rally with her. Josh Hutcherson also does a fine job of representing Peeta, a character that I always found quite flat, by showing his strengths as a good, honest, and kind figure that cares for others. The supporting cast does a superb job, too, from the opulent and often times hilarious Effie, played by Elizabeth Banks, to the cynical, sadistic, and wicked President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland. The movie also welcomed newcomers such as Jena Malone as Johanna Mason and Sam Clafin as Finnick Odair.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a spectacularly poignant adaptation of the novel.  This film deserves all the praise it has received, as it is truly a film “on fire.”