Director: Gary Ross
Writer: Suzanne Collins (novel)
Released: March 2012
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Willow Shields
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Imagine the over-powering control as seen in The Truman Show, the effect on the audiences’ instincts as felt in the 2010 film 127 Hours, but with the overwhelming popularity of Twilight.
Wow, chills went down my spine!
Although I haven’t read the novels, I found I got totally immersed in the storyline of the first of the series about a world of twisted priorities with little respect for life, with a brewing love story beneath the conflict.
It’s an exciting plot about Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) who volunteers in place of her younger sister to be the tribute in a murderous game that is televised for public entertainment. A blood-thirsty game of physical strength and instinctive survival skills, out of 24 tributes, the final survivor will win.
The game is played in a controlled arena where the makers play God with the harsh environment – similar to that in The Truman Show.
I love the idea of the cruel business-like approach of life and death. In order to have the best chance of surviving, the tributes have to make themselves liked by the audience watching the game from home, which encourages sponsors to support the players in their plight for survival.
Gary Ross used a lot of point-of-view shots and shaky camera work which occasionally separated me from what was actually going on, but certainly added to the intensity of the importance of Katniss’ survival.
I assumed Katniss was 18 years-old, but it turns out she is supposed to be 16 which I don’t think was very convincing. However, Katniss was a strong protagonist who split from the group from the get go. She escaped the “blood bath” at the starting line and we follow her survival from there.
Jennifer Lawrence is a very talented actress who kept the character believable yet admirable and relatable. She kept Katniss neutral enough to be adored by everyone, but personable enough not to let the character become emotionless.
I was hoping the film would be a bit more realistic in regards to the fighting as it appeared a tad tame. However, I suppose the rating needed to stay low for the novel’s younger readership to be able to watch it.
With a mixture of old and future technologies it reminded me of Harry Potter (lack of guns and ammunition, yet futuristic medical potions, computers and genetically modified animals). But I think this made the land even more mystical and unknown.
This may well become the new “in” film series, except with a much wider audience who will be inspired by the strong characters rather than the submissive love-struck protagonists of Twilight.
The Hunger Games is much deeper than just another romantic fantasy story.
“May the odds be ever in your favour”
Jodie’s rating: 8/10
Check out the sequel: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire review
April 2013: Since reading the books, I can see that the adaptation was pretty decent! Of course novels and movies are different mediums so there are obviously some amazing scenes that were left out. But the way I see it, the novel is the behind the scenes of the movie, with cool details and extras to discover.
The trailer is average compared to the emotion you get from watching the whole film.
NZ Film Freak 
Haven’t seen the film yet – will do next week. But couldn’t help thinking that the start of the trailer sounds almost like one of the speaches the teacher gives to students in the film Grease – when the headmistress talks over the school’s PA system about (perhaps) one of the students becoming the next president…
Anyway, cool traiiler – even though the music at the end sounds like something from the X-Files TV series.
Hope the film is better than the trailer!
Thanks for the review.
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Very true!! Yes, the trailer doesn’t do much for the movie which is unusual. Hope you enjoy the film as much as I did.
Connie.
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You talk about the camera and how shaky it was.
I certainly felt that, to the point that it actually made me physically ill. I felt like vomiting after some of the more “intense” spells of shakiness and the scene at the “blood bath” was just horrible… Maybe it was something I was meant to feel as the whole concept of making children murder each other for the enjoyment of the upper class. If that was the intended effect, kudos to the director.
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Yeah for sure. Pretty powerful!! I reckon it was very well done.
Thanks for your comment.
Connie.
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