As a leaner and meaner film than the first, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is taken to a new level of intensity. We’ve seen the movie and have to warn you about the top five scenes to prepare yourself for. Minor spoilers.
Although pieces of humor and happy scenes are mingled throughout the film, Catching Fire is an even more emotionally intense story than the first, with many more twists, complex levels, and political drive.
5. When Katniss reveals her Mockingjay dress, and subsequently when the tributes hold hands
As any good Hunger Games fan knows, each of the tributes are interviewed on national television by the notorious Caesar Flickerman before the Games begin. Because of Katniss’ and Peeta’s engagement to each other, to convince President Snow their love is real, Snow orders Katniss to wear her wedding dress to the interviews, much to her dismay. After revealing the gorgeous dress that Cinna designed, Katniss does her famous turning, which sets the dress on fire…and the dress turns into a beautiful Mockingjay dress.
After giving a very loud, yet silent “screw you” to the Capitol and Snow, Katniss joins the other tributes, and the group holds hand to symbolize how ticked off they are at the Capitol that they have to participate in the Games again. Seeing this scene on the big screen will not only give you chills, but also make you hate the Capitol even more than you already did.
4. When Effie apologizes to Katniss and Peeta for having to go through the Games, yet again
Throughout Catching Fire, Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, and Effie become more of a tight-knit team than in the first story. Expanding from Effie’s gold hair and Katniss’ gold Mockingjay pin, Effie decides that Haymitch and Peeta each need a gold trinket, to symbolize the four of them being a team. When she gives the boys their respective gifts before the Games, she also apologizes to Katniss and Peeta with teary eyes for having to go through the Games. Seeing the touching moment when Effie, a citizen of the Capitol, shows sympathy for the two District 12 tributes and creates an alliance with them is enough to bring tears to your own eyes.
3. The announcement of the Quarter Quell and the Reaping
Seeing Haymitch, Katniss, and Peeta find out that the Reaping pool will only be former victors is without a doubt one of the most intense moments of the film. Because Katniss is the only female Victor from District 12, she’s automatically set to attend again. Peeta and Haymitch each have a 50/50 shot.
The way Francis Lawrence depicted this scene, panning between the three characters and seeing their reactions, was brilliantly done. It accurately depicts their shared inner anger for Snow and the Capitol and overall disbelief. During the actual Reaping, seeing Effie shedding a tear and witnessing Peeta volunteer is beyond heartbreaking.
2. When Katniss addresses Rue’s family during the Victory Tour
Although Peeta originally offers to speak in District 11 on the Victory Tour, Katniss surprisingly makes her own, unscripted speech when Peeta finishes his. When Katniss specifically addresses Rue’s family, the sad, empty feelings of her loss from the first film will quickly refill your body and soul. The emotional connection the actors and Lawrence were able to create from Suzanne Collins’ simple words is almost unbelievable. Although anyone who read the book knew it was coming, the mix of the dialogue with the soundtrack and superb acting, and physically watching the Peacekeepers shoot the one District 11 citizen, is without a doubt a scene you need to prepare for before heading to the theater.
1. The public beating of Gale
This, arguably, is the most powerful scene in the book, and subsequently, the film. Reading about one main character being physically whipped for protecting an innocent citizen of District 12 is one of the most stressful scenes in the book. Being transferred to the big screen just intensifies the physical and emotional turmoil that much more, both when the Peacekeeper beats him, and seeing Gale being nursed back to health afterwards. Words cannot do this scene justice, but just be sure to know that a harsh, violent, yet impressive scene is coming.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire hits theaters on November 22.