Reaction Paper: “Catching Fire”

“Catching Fire” can be considered a science fiction film because of the advanced technologies featured in it that may still be under study or even non-existent in our present society. The film showcased advanced display and hologram technologies that were used much like computer monitors and also as battle simulators for the players practicing for the game. Apart from that, the movie also showed state-of-the-art flight and hover mechanism with their transportation and ships. Of course, the whole idea of the hunger games set-up rested on the advanced environmental regulation and manipulation as demonstrated in the movie. There also were invisible force field generators, advanced cameras and cinematography. Sophisticated gear and weaponry were also shown worn and carried by the guards and players in the movie. Even the aspect of fashion was tapped scientifically giving rise to Katniss’s famous flaming dress that even morphs into another dress altogether.

“Catching Fire” is a bleak commentary on the future of society, as it shows a highly “regularized” and advanced world overlying poverty and deprivation. The people from the higher districts were depicted to live easy and extravagant lifestyles, while those from the lower districts have to constantly fight for their survival amidst scarcity and abuse. This ingrained caste system gradually blurred aspects of equity further down the social spiral. Status, resources and even human dignity were stripped from people below so that the people above could keep their lifestyle, as depicted by the abuses done to contain the people from desiring change and social restructuring.

The very purpose of science, technology and society in alleviating human lifestyle sorely fails here because of the selective growth that only a few people enjoy while the rest suffer. These elements do not work for the betterment of all but merely a few people in the social structure. These even served as tools for oppression against the people who desired for social change and equality.

“Catching Fire” then serves as an alarming reminder to us of the possible effects of the misuse and abuse of science and technology on society, so that our efforts to further enrich humanity through discovery and innovation will never threaten to compromise that very aspect of humanity that we seek to enrich – life.