The Hunger Games

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson
Directed by: Gary Ross
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Overall Grade: A

It has been too long since I last posted on this blog, but I just haven't got to a whole lot of movies. However, with the hype surrounding this movie "The Hunger Games" I not only had to see it, but I also had to read the book.

I recommend anyone interested in the movie read the book. Like most books turned into movies, the book provides not necessarily vital background information, but enough where your perspective on certain events may be better than others for having read the book.

The film is about the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem. Formerly North America, the land is now split into 12 districts. Each year to remind the districts who's boss "The Capital", as it is only known, forces the districts to surrender children to fight to the death in The Hunger Games. That is where we meet Katniss Everdeen. The 16 year old heroine who, along with her District 12 sidekick Peeta Mellark, try to stay alive in a fight to the death.

The casting to this movie was superb. Each actor and actress could deliver real emotion when it called for it most, such as on the day of the "reaping" or later when subject matter becomes heavier. Though she's on the screen very little, Willow Shields who plays Primrose Everdeen gives a great performance of being scared and genuine love for her sister Katniss.

The use of close up shots and shaky camera work is a neat, stylish decision, but gets a little old fast and may be overused at least in the beginning. I also wish both the book and movie would have rounded more characters. You do not become vested in many characters because you know so little about them.

One thing I enjoyed about the film that the book did not have was giving a face to the Gamemakers. Mentioned very little in the book, the game maker is given a face and presence on screen that helps the viewer understand how the whole hunger game system works.

Also, me with my libertarian philosophies tend to relish in the idea that this is a great example of big government dominating the people. The capital has all the power and allows the districts to exist, rather than give them freedom. Clearly this film is not meant to be a jab at politics today, I just can't help reading into it.

The movie is jam packed with action, drama, and powerful human emotion. It is very much worth seeing and getting excited for the next two films in the series.

- Adam St. Paul