“Catching Fire” movie poster. Photo via fanspired.com

The latest film installment of the Hunger Games trilogy, “Catching Fire,” is a movie worth seeing once — or in my case, twice.

The film is the second of the acclaimed Hunger Games novel trilogy by Suzanne Collins. It continues the storyline of the 74th Hunger Games winners Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. In this movie, the star-crossed lovers face more challenges than before.

The previous Hunger Games have chosen one boy and girl between ages of 12 and 18 from each of the 12 districts of Panem. The tributes fight to the death until only one remains. The games were established to keep the districts in the mercy of the Capitol, in response to a failed rebellion decades prior.

The film revolves around the whispers of growing rebellion in the districts after the defiant win of the District 12 tributes. Under constant watch of the public and Panem’s President Snow, Katniss and Peeta attempt to protect the ones they love without showing sympathy toward the rebellion. The relationship between Katniss and Gale, a member of the rebellion, is stressed as Gale deals with Peeta and Katniss’s love and his decision to support the uprising.

In attempt to eradicate Katniss, the symbol of hope she provides and strike fear in the people, the 75th Hunger Games selects tributes who were promised a life of peace after winning their games. The games become more challenging as Katniss and Peeta must fight against former tributes with more skill and deeper alliances.

Throughout the film, a few tears streamed down my face. I spent a good amount of the film gasping and clutching my seat. I left the theater feeling aggressive and emotional, and I recall saying to a friend, “The movie made we want to kill a man and cry at the same time.”

The film’s plot had me torn and frustrated the same way the characters were. Fighting the “real enemy” and trying to survive the games is a lot to do.

If action and rebellion doesn’t suit you, there’s the ongoing love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Gale to focus on. By the end of the film, I had chosen my pairing, and I think Katniss and Peeta will end up together.

The cast of the film shines as they reprise their roles and continue to develop as characters. I can’t imagine anyone else playing Katniss and Peeta except for Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson. New characters in the film include actress Jena Malone and actor Sam Claflin (Johanna Mason and Finnick Odair), who, for me, stole the show at times.

Though the film felt lengthy, it was still a hit for me. After seeing “Catching Fire” the first time, I quickly asked a friend to lend me the books. The amount of suspense in both “The Hunger Games” and “Catching Fire” made me want to know more than the film would let on.

Friends of mine who have read the books are more than content with the movie. I’m getting ready to read “Catching Fire,” but only to get to the final book, “Mockingjay,” so I can find out how the series ends.

I would recommend the film to anyone who’s looking to be frustrated, on edge and “rebelled-up.” I also would recommend the film if you’re looking for a few good laughs, plot twists and action.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing it a third time.

Paula Kaledzi is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].