Sequels are always terrible. Just take a look at Iron Man 2. Sequels are the less loved and anticipated than the first movie.

But the second installment of The Hunger Games franchise, Catching Fire, completely defies that belief.

Catching Fire defines what an amazing book-to-movie adaption looks like. The movie consists of straight-out-of-the-book quotes. It’s darker and deeper than the first movie. Director Francis Lawrence completes eliminates the shaky camera to dish out something that is refined and cinematically beautiful.

Catching Fire quickly picks up from the end of the first movie. Newly crowned victors Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her lovesick buddy Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) adjust to their new lives.

Katniss is visited by the perfectly evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and threatened to control the restlessness of the districts as she embarks on her Victory Tour with Peeta.

She doesn’t succeed as Snow quickly throws all the victors into the arena for a special version for the 75th Hunger Games.

Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence reprises her role as Katniss Everdeen and shows exactly why she won an Oscar. Lawrence lights up the screen as she brings a new level of depth and ferocity to Katniss.

Newcomers Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair) and Jena Malone (Johanna Mason) are great additions to a star studded cast. Malone manages to steal the every scene with her characters brutally honest remarks.

The arena is not a disappointment. Filled with a spinning center, blood rain, rabid monkeys, lighting it’s a perfect playground for skilled victors.

Francis Lawrence with the aid of the script gives the movie heart and a steady camera. The greatness of the acting and camera work allows for you to forgive the rough patches and an ending as abrupt as the books.

Katniss is a character worth a thousand squeals, all directed by Francis Lawrence.