OVERVIEW: The blockbuster second film of The Hunger Games franchise that took the world by storm ignites once again when The Hunger Games: Catching Fire arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD UltraViolet), DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet), Digital HD, Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View Friday, March 7 from Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF). Academy Award® winning Best Actress Jennifer Lawrence (2012’s Silver Linings Playbook) headlines the all-star cast in this action-adventure which became the #1 movie of 2013 and the 12th highest-grossing film of all time at the domestic box office. The first film with a female lead to top the annual box office since 1973, the film has grossed nearly $420 million at the North American box office and over $850 million worldwide to date. 

The second installment of the worldwide phenomenon is packed with over two hours of extensive, must-see bonus materials that include a Blu-ray-exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, “Surviving the Game: Making Catching Fire,” deleted scenes, an audio commentary with director Francis Lawrence and producer Nina Jacobson as well as a sneak peek at the highly-anticipated theatrical action film Divergent from Lionsgate’s Summit label. The Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD.

SYNOPSIS: Based on the best-selling second novel of Suzanne Collins’ award-winning trilogy, with a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy and Michael DeBruyn and directed by Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire begins as, against all odds, Katniss and her fellow tribute Peeta have returned home after surviving The Hunger Games. Winning means they must turn around, leaving their loved ones behind and embark on a “Victory Tour” through the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses a rebellion simmering – one that she and Peeta may have sparked. At the end of the Victory Tour, President Snow announces a deadly 75th Hunger Games that could change Panem forever.

FILM REVIEW: 

Primrose Everdeen: Since the last games, something is different. I can see it. 
Katniss Everdeen: What can you see? 
Primrose Everdeen: Hope. 

Ah, hope for the people, could it be the dawn of a revolution!? But at what cost, and everyone looking to a very confused young warrior as their source of inspiration? Could this be really happening? Can this actually work? The epic continues, the plot thickens, and Katniss is facing even more pain and suffering along with just about everyone around her in one way or another. After being a co-winner of the 74th Hunger Games, she comes home to find herself with a case of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and a people who have found hope and courage through her rebellious and non-conformist ways. Unsure how to best handle this, being pulled on one side by her people and on the other side by President Snow bombarding her with threats, she is thrust right back into the 75th Hunger Games, Special Edition. Haymitch best sums it up with two pieces of advice for Katniss:

Katniss Everdeen: Any last advice? 
Haymitch Abernathy: Stay alive. 

Haymitch Abernathy: Remember who the real enemy is. 

This film is well paced and keeps you tuned in. It is much more intense and dramatic than the first film and yet not nearly as visually brutal and violent. This is a good thing, in my opinion. My biggest gripe about the first film (which I did like) was the fact that the violence was too graphic, especially considering that it is amongst young people. I realize that it is the essence of the story to begin with, but the violence could have been a little less in-your-face. Apparently, the movie makers took my advice, because although this story continues to be very violent in nature, the viewer sees less of it in this second installment. Some things that we do see, however, is the amazing use of color, appropriate and well applied special effects, high tech props and visuals, and some of the most elaborate make-up and costumes I’ve ever seen. Another thing we get to see is Jennifer Lawrence give a most impressive performance. She steals the screen in every scene she is in. She tops her performance in the first film and she leaves you wanting more at the end of this one. The entire cast did a good job with this movie, but I want to give a couple of honorable mentions to Donald Sutherland and Elizabeth Banks. Besides J Law, these two stood out a little more than the rest. Now remember that in the middle of all this conflict, there is something of a romance subplot. We have an element of, what I like to call, a Twilight-ism going on here. This love triangle situation . . . not only is it not dissipating, it’s getting more convoluted. Of course, it’s nowhere near as cheesy as Twilight’s. But the primary story remains the overall focus and that is the battle between the classes, between the government and the people, between the empowered and the oppressed, the battle for freedom in the midst of the battle for survival which is the Hunger Games. In this film, the storyline is really picking up steam. Even with the change in directors from one movie to the next, the series does not skip a beat. You probably can’t even tell there was a change in directors. Granted, going from Gary Ross (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit) to Francis Lawrence (Constantine, I Am Legend) is pretty much a lateral move. So when you go see the movie, remember:

Effie Trinket: Chins up, smiles on! 

BLU-RAY: The film is presented in widescreen in a 2.40:1 aspect ration preserving its theatrical format. The picture is just flawless. Not only the picture looks great in this release, also the sound it is good, a 7.1 Dolby Digital in English that provides a good complement to the picture. It also includes  English, French  and Spanish subtitles.

VIDEO:
Widescreen (2.40:1) 16x9

AUDIO:
English 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles - English Spanish

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Blu-ray™ disc unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring perfect hi-def picture and hi-def sound. 

DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away. 

Digital Copy provides consumers with a choice of formats from a variety of partners, including options to watch on iPhone®,
iPad®, Android, computers and more.

UltraViolet™ is the revolutionary way for consumers to collect their movies and TV shows in the cloud. UltraViolet™ lets
consumers instantly stream and download to tablets, smartphones, computers and TVs. Now available in both the United States
and Canada.

“Surviving the Game: Making Catching Fire” – 9-part feature-length documentary

Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson

Deleted Scenes

Sneak Peek of Divergent