The much-anticipated movie “Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” was released Thursday, November 21. With showings starting as early as 8:00 p.m., people all over the country flocked to movie theaters to be able to see the show opening night.

The movie opens with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) a year after their victory in the Hunger Games. Now that the nightmare is over, they hoped that life would be getting back to normal. They are back at home and are living—for once—with more than they need. They hope that, finally, life will go back to how it used to be. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Katniss is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and is living in constant fear for her family. The guilt and shame from the last Hunger Games continues to haunt her, making it impossible for her to move on with her life.

Not only that, but just before she and Peeta embark on the Victor’s Tour, President Snow (Donald Sutherland) makes an appearance with a warning in tow.

Unknowingly, Katniss sparked something in the hearts of the members of the Districts during the Games; she has given them hope and strength for a rebellion. President Snow can see the change and tells Katniss, in so many words, that unless she can convince the public that her reason for defiance was out of love and not out of rebellion, her loved ones will be in danger.

As she tries to convince the public of her and Peeta’s love, she is thrown into more challenges than she was betting on. With the 75th Hunger Games beginning, Katniss can feel that their lives are going to be forever changed. This year, the games could mean so much more; they could mean the change of Panem forever.

Directed by Francis Lawrence—“I Am Legend” director— this 146 minute movie, riddled with love, sadness, action and suspense, takes viewers on a journey unlike any other. He effortlessly captures the action and suspense that was well portrayed in Suzanne Collins’ novel. Lawrence brilliantly creates a dystopian society that is believable while also being realistic; making viewers forget that it was only a movie.

As amazing as the first movie was, this movie is far superior. The viewers are able to not only see the development between Katniss and Peeta, but also between them and the other tributes. This movie shows people what it really means to fight against the system and what it really means to love.Compared to the book, this movie matched up pretty closely. Obviously, as in any book based movie, there were minor parts that were left out in order to focus on the more important parts of the story. However, the movie followed Suzanne Collins’ bestselling novel very well.