There is an unwritten rule for the middle movies in trilogies (or four parts, in this case, as Suzanne Collins’ novel series’ finale is being expanded Harry Potter-style into two movies): that they have to be darker, grittier, and meaner. And that is certainly the case here in this stronger Hunger Games sequel. A year has passed since Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) won the hunger games, but things are not rosy – she is pissed off with being a celebrity, the requisite love triangle is playing out in full, and then there is a twist to the 75th games that throws Katniss and her previews games-winning partner Peeta back in to the thick of it. New director Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) brings the battle for this sterling follow up.
12A / 146 mins / On general release now
