Reaction paper (Catching Fire): Tenmatay

First, is the film Science Fiction? Why or why not?

Yes, because the technology used in this world is plausible to those that we have in our world. Such is the definition of Science Fiction in relation to Fantasy Fiction.

Second, is the film a commentary on past, present and future human society?

I would defer to the side that says no, in the case of its political undertones, because there never really was a single powerful political entity that controls the world through force and coercion. There is always an interdependence to be considered between them and, really, no nation is weak enough to be subjected to that treatment.

It does, however, do a good job of doing a commentary on the festivities surrounding the hunger games. The games themselves remind  me of the gladiator arena battles that the Romans introduced in popular culture that served as entertainment to the masses, a source of pride and glory to its participants and a reminder to those they subjugated that they are nothing more than meat to be thrown to the grinder.

Third, How does science, technology and society fail or succeed in the world of the 13 Districts?

Ironically, in this dystopia, Science, Technology and Society worked too well for everyone. They were able to create clear lines of division between the districts and imposed a heavy system of checks, balances to keep it that way and used science and technology as leverage to do all that to suit their own needs and desires.