Hunger Games 2 Catching Fire: worthy sequel

I learnt that it is progressively difficult for me to watch a midnight show. Having a few glass of beers during dinner make it worse. To top it up, having Chinese tea in supper guaranteed an effective diuretics in which I may as well camped in the toilet. But all these did not prevent me from enjoying Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire. However, the version I saw in the local cinema looked bit blurred and did not appeared as digital 2D; I just felt cheated.


Catching Fire is a worthy sequel from the first movie. I still am a strong proponent that this may emulate Battle Royale's idea, a manga/ novel franchise from Japan; but the story and the execution of the movie did proves that it has a strong story on its own. The movie did not waste anytime for recap and to introduce again the background of Panem, but throw us straight where the first movie left us. This is meant for those who had watched the first movie, so I strongly suggest those who had not watch the first, refrained from going to this movie yet. Anyway, following Katniss and Peeta's victory in the last Hunger Games, it did not change the world of Panem. District 12 still lives in poverty, and the people are rebelling. They look upon Katniss as a beacon of hope, a sign of survival against all odd. President Snow, in his move to rid of Katniss and Peeta, organize the quarter quell, basically the all star Hunger Games, the tribute were chosen from the previous pool of victors, which meant Katniss have no choice but to reenter the arena of Hunger Games. Throw in the usual traps and ever changing environment, this version seems to be more lethal. The games actually make the Survival show looks so sissy. However, in contrast to the first one, there is many more allies who seems to be protecting them. Without revealing too much, we all would know that Katniss will survive and the show ended with a cliffhanger, involving some rebellion towards the government.

The acting is top class. Jennifer Lawrence gave a flawless depiction of Katniss with the right amount of vulnerability and also strong will. Hutcherson, however, had limited screen time, making Peeta appeared more like a supporting character. The rest of the supporting cast were great in their role, the chemistry was undeniably great. Do not expect lots of actions comparatively to a summer action movie, the Hunger Games has a more layered meaning than mindless gun-sword-bomb blowing sequences.


The show was deeply entertaining. As other second movie in any trilogy/ franchise, it served more like a build up towards the final showdown. It may not work well as a stand alone movie, but in the combination of the first movie, now, I am looking forward for the adaptation of the third book.


Ratings: 4 poink!
comments: Colleen said the book is equally good. Hmmm.. I wonder if they would make an adaptation from the Battle Royale as well.

Thor The Dark World: roller coaster ride with mix of fantasy and Sci-Fi

I did not enjoy the first Thor movie. Heck, I even did not know much of Thor comic except that he hold Mjolnir, the hammer. Give me X Men anytime or maybe The Avengers. However, the fact that Marvel Studio is much improved over the last few movies is a promising fact. The trailer looks promising as well. Therefore, I would not want to miss Thor: The Dark World.

a two face Elf: he looks like villain from Star Trek

Most of the original cast returns for this sequel. Chris Hemsworth, with his deep voice, looks really good as Thor. He began to be synonymous with Thor as Robert Downey Jr with Iron Man. He did look more comfortable in The Dark World as well. Natalie Portman resumed her role as Jane Foster, although her chemistry with Thor is still lacking, but fairly acceptable in this movie compare to the first. Expect the rest of the cast such as Anthony Hopkins as Odin and the earlier controversial Idris Elba as Heimdall. Each of them play their role well and hold the screen on their own. The one most impressive character has to be Tom Hiddleston as Loki. He may made Loki into one of my favourite villain after Joker. Not the fact that he is evil, Loki is never evil; after all, Loki is the God of Mischief, but the fact of his manipulative ways and distortion of the truth remains unbeatable.

The main attraction of the whole movie is the CGI, but for any of summer blockbuster (though it is October even in US), it is the norm rather than the exception. Expect the awesome Asgard brought to life or the incredible space ship chase.

elves in space armor: how cool is that?!

The story is simple. Cliche, actually, with a "important" element that the villain is looking for which will destroy the world as we know it. The villain will somehow manage to get the weapon and by some method the good guys save the day. Here in this movie, the Dark Elf ( now we sound like Tolkien) forge a weapon, Aether which can bring ultimate darkness to all the 9 worlds. Asgardian manage to wrestle the weapon in a war long long time ago. The weapon remained hidden for centuries until Jane Foster found it. Dark Elves awaken from their long slumber and chase after the weapon. Thor enlisted Loki help to fight off the elves but did not succeed. Without revealing too much, it is suffice to say that finally both Thor and Jane saved the world. There are some twist involving Loki but many can see it coming. The sound of Elves makes it look like Mid Earth from all the Tolkien based fantasy story. The elves even have pointy ears, but they are not as nice as the woodies cousins. The weapons they hold looks like laser guns and even the staff used by Asgardians army looks like the light saber from Star Wars. The way Dark Elves travel in their hidden ship and the huge battle armada looks like an episode from Star Trek. It ended up as a mix and mash of elements, but it did work well. In the end, it felt like a roller coaster ride, fun and fast, with not much room to breathe. The script was nicely done with just the right amount of humour, the whole movie felt quirky instead of funny though.

Loki, looking as cool as ever, even in pri

Overall, it is a very very enjoyable movie. But, as with the rest of the Marvel Studio movies so far, it is not memorable as yet. It is a correct move in the correct direction though.

ratings: 3 half poink!
comments: wait for the teaser scene after the credits, it is a teaser for Infinity Gauntlet. Apparently there is another teaser after the whole credits but we missed that one.