... the second film in the young adult dystopian series... improves upon the original 'The Hunger Games' in almost every way.

Full Review | Apr 8, 2023

It not only adds to the groundwork laid by its predecessor, but it improves on it in nearly every area.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 21, 2022

A powerful indictment of entertainment as propaganda, the film considers political, social, and emotional factors that transcend the limitations of a young adult novel and will, like its hero, hopefully, go on to represent something much more significant.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Aug 19, 2022

Make no mistake that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the best of the sequels and maybe even the best film of the franchise.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 23, 2022

In a decade full of hundred-million-dollar stinkers, CATCHING FIRE isn't just the peak of its franchise, but a compelling work in its own right.

Full Review | Apr 20, 2021

It's grim, shot in hues of grey with a perpetually overcast sky, which lends it a classic feel, more like 1970s sci fi than the brightly couloured eye catchers Hollywood makes these days.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 1, 2021

It's mainstream entertainment, but it succeeds at being riveting and deeply unsettling mainstream entertainment that casts a critical light on our current systems.

Full Review | Jan 20, 2021

While the primary stars remain youthful, this film has matured substantially over its predecessor.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Dec 3, 2020

An entertaining and thought-provoking film that proves we have a right to expect much more from even a good old-fashioned Hollywood popcorn flick.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4.0 | Sep 11, 2020

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is epic, filled with fantastic performances, great visual effects and a story that surpasses the first film in EVERY department.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 16, 2020

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire digs much deeper than the first installment and the result is a much stronger movie.

Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Jul 8, 2020

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire lights the fuse of this franchise in a more provocative way than its predecessor. [Full review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Jun 25, 2020

The story is more complex, and director Francis Lawrence did an even better job of integrating taut action and convincing special effects into a developing plot...

Full Review | Mar 11, 2020

Bigger, darker and more allegorical than ever, with Catching Fire, Frances Lawrence excels with visual splendor and the creation of the island where the Quarter Quell Games are held.

Full Review | Jan 7, 2020

The time and effort gone into Catching Fire does not go without notice.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 21, 2019

Exciting, engaging and overall better than The Hunger Games, Catching Fire escapes being labelled as the 'dreaded sequel'.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Nov 21, 2019

The Hunger Games franchise is escapism and a wake-up call all at once, and Catching Fire rings that bell loud.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Aug 27, 2019

No one does both vulnerability, determination and strength better than Jennifer Lawrence.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Jul 31, 2019

What sets The Hunger Games apart from other blockbusters of its type is how it doesn't use its violence as a crutch. It actually makes us feel the loss of its victims.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 9, 2019

Nevertheless, the film and franchise will always thrive thanks to their phenomenal leading lady.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 4, 2019