The Hunger Games [DVD]

The Hunger GamesBased on Suzanne Collins best selling book trilogy, The Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen who volunteers to take part in the Capitol's annual Hunger Games, a game show where contestants fight to the death.I postponed seeing this film as long as possible. I had finished the first two novels (which are both fantastic and readable in a matter of days if you're stuck for something to read) but I checked the film out and when the opening starts and we're thrust into the world of District 12, I was shocked.The opening is something remarkable. It's great if unyielding from the truth of their poverty. District 12, run down where residents struggle for food and to make a living, but Katniss and her friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth) find escapism in their hunting. And when Katniss' sister is nominated for the games we see Jennifer Lawrence show why she is currently the most promising actress of these last 5 years.Lawrence was a great choice to play Katniss. The character in the books is quite unusual, quite solemn but with hidden desires and energy that the young actress excels at. Her on screen peak is with Rue when in the arena, a heart wrenching exhilarating piece of acting combined with opportunistic film pacing.The film starts slowly getting into the feel of the poverty of the districts but as viewers, when we see the world of the Capitol and see how perfect, classy and snobbish everything is we feel the pace pick up and we are right there with the contestants, in a world the Capitol controls where these young fighters have little say in their destiny.The first book is very imaginative and is very well brought to the screen by director Gary Ross. The excitement and adrenaline really starts pumping when the arena is introduced. The resemblance to the events of the book is spot on, if not better. Katniss' independent tracking and thirst for survival are well shot, especially during the Trackerjacker sequences. The best part of the entire film is when Katniss is with Rue, the excitement and emotion in these scenes are fantastic and it's hard to express how well this works in developing their characters and holding the film and the rest of the story together.When reading the books I had concerns over how Collins was working the romance angles, being a bit like Twilight with the love angles but this is nothing like that series. This is something calmer, less intense in terms of love and lust. Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) may be viewed differently by people. As the stories progress his character changes and Hutcherson portrays him very well and strikes up a good partnership with Lawrence that resembles their respective adaptations.There are a few minor lapses and improvements. I only wish the fire sequence was a bit longer as it was in the book. Seeing Woody Harrelson as Haymitch was rather strange at first but it would have been great if he was included more during certain scenes!This film is a great adaptation of a great book. The imagination Suzanne Collins has been wonderfully adapted for the screen with her vivid and controversial environment and ideas and with excellent performances, particularly from Jennifer Lawrence, the Hunger Games is a must watch.9/10

'In a dark vision of the near future, 12 boys and 12 girls are forced to appear in a live TV show called The Hunger Games. There is only one rule: kill or be killed.'Originally, I wasn't planning on watching this film after seeing the trailer but I few friends of mine had read the books and highly recommended them, so I bought the books and started reading them the week before I went to see the movie with these friends.And honestly, I now cannot believe that I wasn't planning on seeing it!The country Panem (once North America) is run by the Capitol, which is full of very rich people. There were once 13 districts but after they rebelled against the Capitol the thirteenth was blown up, after the rebellion the Hunger Games began to punish the 12 remaining districts. Every year a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen from each district, they have to fight to the death until one victor remains.The Hunger games follows the story of Katniss Everdeen who volunteers for the games after her younger sister is chosen. Katniss is from the poorest disrict: district 12 and is sure that she will lose, however she is a skilled hunter and is very good at archery. The first film of the trilogy shows her and the boy from her district; Peeta fighting in the games with the help of their mentor (and previous winner) Haymitch and their Capitol born helper Effie. But even though Katniss is skilled their are some tributes who have trained their whole lives so they can volunteer for the games.A lot of the actors are very distiguished and well known and this story isn't just for teenagers, it can also be enjoyed by adults too, I also recommend purchasing the book trilogy but Suzanne Collins.

I was on the verge of giving this film 5 stars but it couldn't quite earn them. This is a film of contrast in every way it seems. It's not only the basis for the main story.Briefly, we have the Running Man for kids. Children are picked from the poorer districts when they come of age to enter a televised tournament for the amusement of the rich.The film had shades of The Fifth Element about it, with wacky characters in fancy brightly coloured costumes. These (intentionally) jarred against the harsh greys and earth tones of the districts, again highlighting what this film is all about: the haves and the have-nots.As well as a wonderful wardrobe, the film benefited from an excellent soundtrack, which I felt used silence to excellent effect. Less was indeed more and hush from the speakers, at times, spoke volumes; more contrast of sorts.Next we have sprawling cities sitting in juxtaposition with shanty towns and futuristic buildings towering in opposition to the lush, green woodland which is the setting for the games.The children, or rather 'tributes', who take part in the games, too, are a mixed bunch of good and bad; dark and light. And the film itself was structured almost in two halves - both feeling very different from one another.over all, the film was immensely enjoyable - but as with everything else in this film, with the good came the bad: the story and events within it were not properly explained.Maybe it's clearer if you have read the books but (without wanting to give too much away) I have no idea why the heroin 'forgave'... er, him. And also what the outcome of their union was? Was it all for the cameras?Strangely, again, in almost perfect contrast the film ended as appallingly as it started brilliantly. Maybe I am missing something. But these really spoilt what, for me, would have been a really enjoyable film. They just, I don't know, niggled.Perhaps I am judging it too harshly as, in essence, I think this is a kids' film (although, perhaps, dealing with some very adult themes) but it's just it was almost there. It was almost brilliant! About 85% to 90% of it was... but those little things. Those few little things.I would say definitely watch The Hunger Games, and make up your own mind. You certainly won't be disappointed. But to use a comparison with 'hunger' or at least food, I would describe it as this: I felt like I'd been served the best 3 course meal I'd had in ages but when the Knickerbocker Glory I'd ordered arrived for dessert - the cherry on top missing.