Rent The Hunger Games on Amazon Video (paid link) // Buy the book (paid link)
Written by: Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray (screenplay by), Suzanne Collins (based on the novel by)
Directed by: Gary Ross
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Toby Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Jack Quaid, Donald Sutherland
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
Katniss Everdeen voluntarily takes her younger sister's place in the Hunger Games: a televised competition in which two teenagers from each of the twelve Districts of Panem are chosen at random to fight to the death.
Verdict
It's a quick paced struggle for survival in a post apocalyptic world where the wealthy watch the poor fight to the death for entertainment. We follow the heroic Katniss, who tries to avoid killing while inadvertently spurring the impoverished residents following the games to revolt. This works on multiple levels, though it doesn't explore the implications of this society deeply. In spite of or because of that, this remains entertaining as we hope Katniss can survive despite the game's organizers manipulating events.
Watch It.
Review
Based on the 2008 book, this was the first of four movies with two prequel movies added recently. The 1999 book and subsequent movie Battle Royale (2000) launched the genre, becoming a cult phenomenon in part because the movie was banned in several countries.
In this post apocalypse world where most people seem to be destitute, each district must offer two teenage tributes as punishment for an uprising long ago. The group fights to the death in the hunger games which the wealthy regard as entertainment. The wealthy reside in the capital, the select few that are much better off. These games seem to be a method of control, a stark reminder of the capital's power. I'd also be willing to bet the capital is outnumbered, ruling solely by breaking the spirit of everyone else.
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| Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen |
Attending the selection ceremony, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) tries to comfort her sister Primrose who is attending for the first time. No surprise she's scared. Being selected is certain death. Katniss assures her she won't be selected, and of course Primrose is selected. Katniss volunteers in her sister's place. She'll be pitted against twenty-three other children. Along with the other selection from her district Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). They get a mentor in Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) who was a victor from their district years ago. He assures them they will die, and he can't help them.
As the pair enter the capital for training, we see the broad class divide. The affluent watch the games for entertainment. Not only do they receive training to make them more formidable, they must audition for the elite in hopes of getting sponsored. Incensed by their disinterest, Katniss shoots an apple sitting on the elite's buffet table. It's a bit close for their comfort. She just as easily could have pierced one of them. It's outside of the bounds, but they take notice of her which is important.
It's a culture shock as Katniss is exposed to this completely foreign and lavish world while training to survive and appear impressive to the elite who can sponsor her during the games. Calling it a game is a misnomer as you murder your peers or die yourself. One of the most valuable pieces of information Haymitch provides her is to avoid rushing to the center to get weapons when the games start. That proves wise as six kids die in the first few minutes.
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| Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen |
Peeta quickly aligns himself with four kids from a rich district that trained for years just for these games. They want to eliminate the more popular Katniss. We know Peeta is just trying to survive, but does Katniss realize it?
I can tell this is based on a book due to the density of the plot and the quick pacing. This fits a lot into the runtime. Katniss fights this impossible battle, and due to her style of trying to avoid killing, Katniss has a few short lived alliances and mercies from other tributes. We see the ones running the game intentionally manipulating it to add danger and excitement or direct tributes to certain outcomes. They also grow fearful of Katniss as she sparks revolt in the provinces.
Katniss makes it to the end, but refuses to kill the other tribute. She instead convinces him to eat poison berries, doubting the game runners will let the games end like that.
The premise lends itself to a quick pace, and this remains entertaining. While I'd like to know more about this world, the movie provides just enough without getting mired in explanations. Katniss rebels through non-violent means, refusing to kill just to entertain the elite that don't care about the people they torture. It's clear there is more to this story, granted there are several books, but the conclusion is satisfying.
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| Title Card |
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