Reaction Paper

Hunger Games: Catching Fire

        Hunger Games movie composed of two series, The Hunger Games trilogy and Catching Fire, are considered to be science fiction movies. The movies were based on the science fiction novels of Suzanne Collins. Catching Fire, the latest release movie of the hunger games series is considered to be a science fiction because it shows events and situations throughout the movie wherein scientific knowledge is applied with exaggeration. I can say that it is exaggerated because as far as the science world is concern such things were not yet discovered, invented, and existing, thus those scenes shown in the movie were still fantasies of today’s generation. Though such things do not yet exist we still can’t disregard the possibility that these things would happen after some generations as we all know that science doesn’t stop finding ways of making impossible possible. But unless not being proven to be true, catching fire would remain as just fictions in the world of science and reality.

        Catching Fire is all at the same time commentary of the past, present, and future. It is said to be commentary on the past because it features events which is commentary with the past events such as the concept of the tournament. The way the tournament is done in the movie is influenced with how past tournaments are done, particularly games during the ancient civilization wherein people are being put to a challenge where you need to fight, kill and hunt for your survival. It is commentary with the present because throughout the movie the so called “power” is portrayed with emphasis. In the movie the capitol did have great power over the people that they can mandate someone forcibly without any further excuses to a “Deadly Challenge”. Which in our case today, if you have power then you can do what you want and you can let someone do things in exchange of money and power, which is one of the continuing problem of our society. It is commentary on the future because the futuristic effects and fictional things are being introduced and portrayed. Things which are still beyond the reach of science for now. Things which are soon to be discovered in the future.

        For me, Science and Technology failed in the world of the 13 districts for the reason that technology wasn't used in the proper way it should be. Technology is made to attain the arousing need of the people. In the case of the Hunger Games: Catching Fire movie, Technology was used in the tournament which aims only to entertain the rich and manipulate the society. A game which steals lives, and praises death. From that, I conclude that indeed Science and Technology failed in the world of 13 districts.

-Jonelle J. Retorca