I haven't done a movie review in a long time (since Iron Man 3 to be exact) so I am posting about not only one but two movies I have watched recently. These are The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Disney's Frozen.
Catching Fire is the epic sequel to the 2012 hit movie The Hunger Games starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. Now I would normally stop here after the mere mention of Jennifer Lawrence (you know one of the youngest Academy Awards Best Actress winner whom I have pronounced to have an undying crush on. OK, I am rambling now...) but rarely would you have a sequel which is actually better than the first film.
Catching Fire takes on the story after Katniss and Peeta (seriously Suzzane Collins, you would have to your name your characters that are hard to spell?) won the 74th Hunger Games by acting as star crossed lovers in order for both of them to survive. And the operating word here is "acting." We've known from the first movie that Katniss is in love with Gale but when she and Peeta are sent back to compete again in the Third Quarter Quell (the 75th Hunger Games) could they still pull out the same act again? And at this point questions now arise if Katniss is still acting or she is now really doing this to protect Peter? All of this happens in the backdrop of an impending revolution fueled by Katniss' disobedience in the 74th Hunger Games.
Like all great film series, the details are being laid out in order to build up for the big finale and that is why sometimes the sequel becomes a "go-between" for the third (or fourth) film. In the case of this series Catching Fire really builds up the needed anticipation that would not just cater to the followers of the book but also for those who are just experiencing the world of Katniss Everdeen for the first time through the movies. Jennifer Lawrence have pulled off a great performance that would really make you realize why she won the Academy Awards Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook (another movie I love) and recently as Golden Globes Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture for her role in American Hustle. Catching Fire as a movie really holds on its own and is a great cinematic experience.
If you haven't seen it then order it on DVD or Blue Ray. You won't regret it.
Frozen is a 3D animated musical fantasy film by Disney Animation Studios. It has great songs (reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast and Tangled) and a great story (think Finding Nemo, UP and Toy Story 3.) It really is deserving of the Golden Globes and Critic's Choice nod as Best Animated Feature Film and the nomination for Oscars Best Animated Film and Best Original Song for "Let It Go." Just like all the other Disney princess movies this one is also based on a fairy tale. Frozen is a re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen.
Frozen is the story of estranged sisters Elsa and Anna, princesses of the Kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa possess the power to create anything out of ice. On her coronation as the new queen she accidentally unleashes an eternal winter. She decided to exile herself but Anna is determined to go after her and end the winter. Anna is helped by Kristoff and his steed err... reindeer Sven. The character of Kristoff and Sven kind of reminds me of the characters in Tangled, Flynn and Maximus. Disney probably doesn't want to change a winning formula. But one character that takes the cake is Olaf the Snowman. Although he is really there for comic relief he gives out one of the best lines in the movie "Some people are worth melting for."
The voice cast for Frozen is also exceptional with Kristen Bell (yes that's Veronica Mars for you) as Anna and my personal favorite Idina Menzel (of Broadway's Wicked, Rent and Glee) as Elsa. I believe there is no other singer fitting to sing "Let It Go" as it has a "Defying Gravity" feel to it. Here's proof:
I actually wanted to watch this one as it was eagerly endorsed to me by my little girl. And she is right this is one gem of a movie. I wouldn't mind watching this movie again and hopefully the next time I would be watching it with her. I am going to buy the original DVD when it goes out later in March.
On both movies, there is much to be contemplated upon about family, sacrifice and the meaning of true love. Also what is common about these two films is the portrayal of strong women as the main protagonist. There was meme on Facebook saying that in Frozen it shows that princesses doesn't need a prince to save them. I believe that the women in Disney are holding their own as evidenced in the last Disney outings so far.
So the 2013 movie season finished off on a high note and with the 2014 line up there are more good movies to come and to enjoy.
By the way, I was supposed to give my thoughts on Thor: The Dark World but didn't find anything noteworthy to say about it. Onward to Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy then...
