The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the far superior sequel to 2012’s mega-hit The Hunger Games, will be the next film to be featured in the Campus Activities Board’s ongoing series of movie nights on campus. Rated PG-13, the film will be shown in the Phelps Theatre Feb. 27 and 28. Students who attend the event will be able to watch the film before it is released on Blu-ray and DVD and will also be able to simulate the traditional movie-going experience with free candy and drinks provided by the CAB office.

Set one year after the events of the first film, Catching Fire continues the story of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark as they struggle with the aftermath of their joint Hunger Games victory and their new-found roles as the  poster children for a coming rebellion.

Though the new film tends to be a little predictable at times, it quickly surpasses its predecessor. The overall storyline benefits from a far more interesting premise than was seen in the overly apparent Battle Royale-inspired first film. The added element of a potential rebellion brewing throughout the districts adds greatly to the film’s growing suspense and helps make up for the film’s more formulaic scenes that seem almost too reminiscent of the first film.

Additionally, the hiring of a new director working behind the scenes helps eliminate many of the first film’s cinematic issues — most specifically the shaky camera effect, which received criticism for being a little too shaky.

Also benefiting the sequel is the increased presence of the franchise’s more accomplished supporting actors such as Donald Sutherland, Woody Harrelson and franchise newcomer Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Sutherland, who already appeared in the first film as the vastly underwritten President Snow, makes a very welcomed return to the character in a much improved, more menacing performance. His increased, intimidating presence, along with Harrelson’s more emotionally rewarding performance and Hoffman’s dark and twisty introduction easily make the film more enjoyable and thrilling to watch.

As if this already wasn’t enough to improve the overall film, Catching Fire also sees much improved diminished roles for Lenny Kravitz and Stanely Tucci — the latter of whom is the closest thing to a “Jar-Jar Binks” character the franchise has. Though their completely unnecessary — and frankly annoying — characters still receive more screen time than they actually deserve, their smaller roles help keep the film on track and make time for the more pressing issues of the story.

Overall, the franchise has taken a big step in the right direction, ultimately making it a more unique series and even managing to cast off the “copycat” label that was once so hatefully given to it by fans of similar franchises.