The Hunger Games

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is The Hunger Games.

Directed by Gary Ross.

Written by Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins & Billy Ray

Based on the novel The Hunger Games. Written by Suzanne Collins

Review #153

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens.

Runtime: 142 min

Cast

Stanley Tucci ...Caesar Flickerman

Wes Bentley ...Seneca Crane

Jennifer Lawrence ...Katniss Everdeen

Willow Shields ...Primrose Everdeen

Liam Hemsworth ...Gale Hawthorne

Elizabeth Banks ...Effie Trinket

Josh Hutcherson ...Peeta Mellark

Woody Harrelson ... Haymitch Abernathy

Lenny Kravitz ... Cinna

Donald Sutherland ... President Snow


May has been historically the month that kicks off the summer blockbuster season. Of course there are a few films that for whatever reason release one of their tent pole films earlier. Whether it's fear of competition. Which is a lame reason in my opinion. Or lack of competition. Some of these "big" movies come out and steal the show. The Hunger Games apparently banked on capitalizing on the lack of competition.

It paid off in more ways than one.

Plot

Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.  

Based on a VERY popular trilogy of young adult books. The Hunger Games tackles some very ADULT themes. The biggest being showcasing a sadistic society that sacrifices children for entertainment. The film does very little to give you a precursor to what you're about to see. I'm not sure if it's assumed that you read the books or know someone who did. You get the always popular opening monologue explaining as quickly as possible how the hunger games were formed as a way to keep the rebel districts in line after their rebellion against the capitol. That's about it. Normally that tactic doesn't work. In this case it does because there was so much more to get to that you don't want to waste time with unnecessary exposition.

Having not read the books I had no preconceived expectations. Early on I was getting the sense of another failed adaptation. Then after the children are picked and sent to the capitol for presentation and training. The Hunger Games takes off. The film forces you to identify and feel for these poor classes of people who are forced to relinquish their kids in order to maintain their existence. It becomes something that is just accepted. It makes you think what society would allow this. It makes you feel compassion towards the "tributes" as they are called while feeling disdain for the people responsible for sending them to their deaths for sport. This is what The Hunger Games displays very astutely when Katniss and Peeta are in the capitol. They experience first hand the instant change of life when they are pampered in every possible way while in the capitol. They get new clothing, eat lavish food, live in luxury and are presented as celebrities. Then in the blink of an eye it's all gone because it's time to fight.

Fight and die.

This is best captured masterfully by Jennifer Lawrence when the games are about to begin. Just before she's transported to the chute that will take her among the other competitors she has a moment with Cinna, one of her trainers. He gives her a few words of encouragement and sends her off. As this is happening you can hear a countdown in the background. When Katniss gets in the pod with about 10 seconds to go she turns and gives Cinna a blood curdling look of fear. The reality hits her hard in the face. This could very well be the last person she ever sees. This could be the last day of her life. That stare for some reason got to me. I can't explain why. It just did. That scene was crafted and performed very well. It captured the exact reaction and emotion intended.

After that it's game time and The Hunger Games pulls no punches in that department. The opening scramble after the final tick of the clock goes off plays like a kinetic ballet of violence. Some of the kids run for the woods, some head for the pile of weapons and supplies. In this mad dash, kids are getting picked off left and right. I was very curious how they were going to pull this off. This film clearly deals with the subject of children of various ages being forced to fend for themselves. With only 1 winner emerging victorious, how would the film present the death of these kids. It was presented with a very delicate but brutal balance. It was well done. Not too gratuitous but obvious enough to get the point across.

The Hunger Games really scores after the initial melee. The calm after the storm if you will. You get a chance to catch your breath and experience Katniss' adjustment to her new world and what it will take to survive. It's here where the film has it's heart. You feel for Katniss and her plight. Dealing with injury, starvation and avoiding the other district tributes. After some predictable character deaths the film reaches it's climax with a very satisfying spin towards the capitol and the hunger games themselves. As I was watching this I kept asking myself. "Why don't the people just rebel again against the capitol?" They are clearly against what the hunger games represent and the oppression the capitol can apply to the the districts. The answer is simple.

That's what sequels are for.

On the 5 star scale. The Hunger Games gets 4 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"