Catching Fire Movie Review

by: Maria Teresa Llera (2013-40924)

Catching Fire, the second book and movie of The Hunger Games trilogy, is no doubt a science fiction. The movie presented a lot of futuristic technology, like the hologram-like televisions, flying ships (or what most some fictional books call ‘hoverboards’), and clothes that are set on fire without them burning. The Hunger Games, or the 75^th Quarter Quell, to be specific, is an example of science fiction, with its bouncing forcefield, mutated killing animals, and its arena that can be altered anytime, anywhere by the gamemakers. Although most of the futuric things that can be seen in the movie do not exist today, there is a big chance that they will exist in the future. I mean, one can never tell what can happen and what can be invented in the future, like how people in 1900s could never tell that smartphones could actually exist.

                The movie is not only about impressive technology – it is also about the human society in the past, present, and future. It presented a society where certain groups of people are divided into classes, like the working class (can be referred to as slaves, in some cases) who live in the 12 districts of Panem and the wealthy class who live in the Capitol. This kind of society was very dominant in the past where people are classified as slaves, landlords, and etc., although this kind of society still exists up to now. The movie also presented a government system that is very similar to the government systems in different countries nowadays. The Philippine government is an example. Admit it – our own government system has its black agenda and corrupt system. As for the future, one could see the endless possibilities that technology can bring. Hoverboards, forcefields, and holograms – these things can definitely exist in the future, with the right time and effort.

               The concept of science, technology, and society both failed and succeeded in the world of the 13 districts. Society failed in the sense that not everyone in Panem was equal and was given the equal privileges. The corrupt system and discrimination was dominant in the districts. Although society failed in the 12 districts, we cannot say the same – at least not yet – to what could happen in District 13, a new district where Katniss and her allies were heading to. Also, even though the technology used in the movie was very advanced, it was not always used for the better. The creation of the different traps and other things that were meant to kill the tributes in the arena is an example of the misuse of technology. The improvement of science and technology is always good, as long as it is not destructive to people and to the environment.

                Catching Fire is not just another book or movie that could make people’s hearts beat faster and their shouts louder every time Katniss and Peeta kiss. No, Catching Fire is more than that. Catching Fire, above all, is about how one person can inspire thousands of people to ignite a revolution that could change their lives forever.