Quick poll: What is your favorite Hunger Games era and why is it Catching Fire?
Okay, I'm kidding...but also kinda not! I feel like this one is the fan favorite - and can see why. Things 'heat up' between Peeta and Katniss (pun intended) and the evolution of their relationship makes this my top pick out of the Hunger Games films (and books!). (AKA - we get iconic lines such as, "If it weren't for the baby".)
Love for the characters aside, what about Josh's performance? I think the Hunger Games films are a cool case study on what Josh is capable of when tasked with playing one character over a period of time.
When we meet Peeta in the last film, he's shoved into the same heartbreaking situation as his crush, being forced to fight to the death in "the hunger games" to satisfy the capital's corrupt schemes. Naturally, both Peeta and Katniss find strength after what they go through, but not at first - and it takes Peeta a little longer to develop the confidence than it does Katniss. In Catching Fire, Josh is playing the same character but he's challenged with showing us a new version of him - the Peeta who has already been through the first games, who has experienced so many challenges, and who has fallen deeper in love with Katniss.
I'll bet it's interesting for an actor to have a lot more source material and context to work with. When Josh and crew began shooting this film, whether they read the books or not (although, they likely did), they would begin the work with a lot more insight into their characters' histories, past motivations, current motivations, fears, etc. Josh demonstrates this growth by adjusting his mannerisms as Peeta - he becomes even more of a showman this round, was even more determined, speaks up a little more, and presents himself differently. His motivation is clear - whether you read the books or not - and Josh's acting really supports the audience's clarity here. We can tell by how he looks at her, by how he navigates each challenge....Peeta is motivated by love, and Josh beautifully executes this motivation on screen.
What do you think about my theory that Catching Fire is the top contender for audience's most loved Hunger Games movie/book? Let me know what your favorite is in the comments, and see ya on my next post!
Peace and Joshperity,
G
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