BY BECKY TERLESKI
Staff Writer
5 stars

With fans hungry for more, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire broke the November ticket sales record with a $161.1 million debut.

After Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) return to District 12 victorious, they are roped back into a “Victor’s Tour,” which is another malicious battle to the death.

With her innate ability to identify with the citizens, Katniss sparks a strain of hope as well as unexpected rebellions in various Districts. The leaders of the Capital view Katniss as a threat to the system, which raises many issues while in the arena.

A brand new tropical setting, filmed in Hawaii, provides a relief from the monotonous forest scenes from the first film and a fresh form of torture for the tributes.

Many previous victors, including one of the youngest victors in history, Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), are brought to the Capital once again to participate in the 75th annual Hunger Games. Allies prove to be very beneficial as Katniss befriends the tech savvy and intellectual rather than the frightfully fierce and powerful.

Readers of the series will of course know what is to become of Katniss’ relationship status in the following movies The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 and 2, both due to hit theaters in late November of 2014 and 2015, but uninformed viewers indulge in her indecisive romantic relations with not only Peeta, but another close friend. This tricky love triangle proves helpful as well as distressing for all involved, and passion and affection are more prevalent between costars than in the first movie.

This sequel provides a deeper exploration of emotions, motive, and structure found in the nation of Panem. With a perfect blend of action and romance, Catching Fire definitely brings the heat that most viewers are anticipating.