I think Mau might mean , which is not the best part in the whole series by the widest possible margin, unless perhaps if you're a 14 year old girl.

The second installment in the “Hunger Games” franchise, based on Suzanne Collins' best-selling series of books, finds Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) back home in District 12 after being the first dual winners in the history of the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death. Winning by threatening a suicide pact that would leave no victor, their win was seen as an act of defiance capable of causing an uprising, and Katniss herself becoming a symbol of rebellion. She has now made an enemy of the government.

President Snow (Donald Sutherland) makes his vendetta against her clear, and after completing a victory tour of the other districts it is announced that the 75th Annual Hunger Games, a special version of the Games known as the “Quarter Quell,” will consist entirely of winners from previous years, throwing "the girl on fire" once again back into the deadly arena. President Snow is determined the game ends with one outcome: the death of Katniss.

The first “Hunger Games” was a huge surprise for me. I went into it having never read the source material and not knowing all that much about it outside of the basic plot. What I got was an immensely entertaining film with a great heroine and a terrific performance by Jennifer Lawrence. The film even made my personal top 10 list of 2012. I was worried I'd be disappointed by “Catching Fire” as that's usually how it works. Thankfully that's not the case this time. With the first becoming a worldwide phenomenon and an impressive smash hit, Lionsgate has given the budget of the sequel a significant increase (130 Million vs. 78 Million for the first), and boy does it show. The film looks great, from the sets and cinematography to the exquisite costume design. While I thought the first was great, the increase in budget and expanded scope allows this series to feel as epic as it should.

New to the franchise is Director Francis Lawrence (no relation to Jennifer), a former music video director who made the transition to film with 2005's Keanu Reeves led action film “Constantine” and the 2007 Will Smith starrer “I Am Legend.” He takes the reigns from Gary Ross, who helmed the first film but opted out of this one as he had issues with the time-frame in which the next film had to be completed. I wasn't terribly impressed by Lawrence's other action-oriented efforts so I was skeptical about how he'd do with this. But Lawrence has delivered a more polished, tightly-directed film that makes the first seem more flawed on a technical level than I'd initially thought. I am really glad he will be returning to direct the final two films.

I'm fairly convinced Jennifer Lawrence can do no wrong. Her performances are consistently great and her portrayal of Katniss Everdeen is no different. She is so perfect as this character and elevates these films to another level. You don't usually see performances of this caliber in big-budget “popcorn” films, let alone ones based on a Young Adult series. No matter how good other elements of these films may be it's her that carries them on her shoulders. And that's how it should be. This is her character's story and these movies could fail or succeed based on her performance. But you don't have to worry in her hands. She convincingly sells every character beat and emotion. For example the scene of her finding out she'll be competing in the Games once again is so perfectly played. How she tries to keep it together in front of everyone but runs out into the woods and breaks down when she's alone. You can absolutely feel the emotions she is feeling in this scene. As great as I thought she was in the first the role is meatier this time around and I believe she delivers an Oscar-worthy performance.

Josh Hutcherson gives a more assured performance this time around. I didn't have a problem with him in the first. I think he's a very likeable young actor. But his performance is stronger here. Liam Hemsworth, the other part of the film's love triangle, is still largely absent for most of the movie. He's serviceable when he is on screen, but he's still not given much to do. From what I hear this character becomes more prominent later in the series. Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket is very good and like most of the returning characters is given more to do. I really enjoyed Jena Malone as Johanna Mason. Having not read the books I wasn't sure if I could trust this character and I found her really fun to watch. Donald Sutherland is menacing as President Snow and Philip Seymour Hoffman makes a nice addition to a respectable cast as head game-maker Plutarch Heavensbee.

Just as entertaining as its predecessor, but ultimately a better film, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” is great popcorn entertainment. It's smart, topical, and thought-provoking, and despite some dark themes it's ultimately a lot of fun. The cast, especially Ms. Lawrence in a role she seems born to play, continue to sell the story well and make it easy to get immersed into this story of a dystopian society. “Catching Fire” ends abruptly with a huge cliffhanger that may frustrate some but will definitely leave people wanting more. I eagerly anticipate the concluding chapters with excitement and trepidation that they won't live up to the first two parts. But if they're even close this series will be a modern classic of the genre.

Grade: A

Nice review, Mike. Post them more often.

What I do know is that this sequel is quite an improvement over the original (the visuals, ditching the kids element of the games).

Same as any tool, hand-held photography can be used with fantastic and suspenseful results (The Battle of Algiers, United 93) or very poor, disorienting results (Battle: Los Angeles, The Hunger Games). I always roll my eyes when I see a post on, say, IMDb inquiring, "Is there any shaky camerawork? Because I will not see it if there is."