The Hunger Games (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
'The Hunger Games' (based on a series of popular Young Adult novels (think Twilight), and directed by Gary Ross, Pleasantville, Seabiscuit) takes place in the future, well after an apocalyptic event threw North America into a tailspin. At some point, North America became known as Panem - a huge nation divided into 13 ruined districts surrounding a powerful (and evil) central Capitol. 75 yrs. prior, the districts rebelled against the Capitol but the Capitol crushed the rebellion. District 13 was destroyed and, as a twisted punishment for the uprising, the other 12 districts were forced to participate in The Hunger Games.
Once per year, a lottery is held in which both a male & female (age 12-18) are chosen & sent from each of the 12 districts to a fight-to-the-death gladiatorial battle that is the biggest televised event in Panem (like a messed-up reality show). And the last survivor (of the 24) is declared the winner (who may receive food for their struggling districts). For these 74th Games, 12 yr. old Primrose Everdeen is chosen as the female tribute from Distrct 12. To save her sister from a near-certain fate, 16 yr. old Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence, of Winter's Bone) volunteers to take the slot. She is joined on the journey to the Capitol by her male partner, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). Once there, the 2 tributes train with Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), an embittered drunk who won the Games some 24 yrs. ago.
Katniss receives moral support & advice during her training from the bizarre Effie Trinkett (Elizabeth Banks) & Cinna (Lenny Kravitz). Her boldness makes her a fast favorite - something that enrages the malevolent President Snow (Donald Sutherland) while delighting the games organizer, Senna Crane (Wes Bentley), as well as the on-air commentator (an eclectic Stanley Tucci). When the games begin, Katniss must survive the opening bloodbath, rely upon her sharp instincts in the heat of battle, & pretend to share a romance with Peeta to enhance her image with sponsors (who can donate food, medicine, messages). Near the end, however, she appears to develop genuine feelings for Peeta, which become a potential problem since, in order for her to win ... he would have to die. It's an impossible choice to make. Win, live, yet lose someone near & dear. Lose, die, & allow for the Capitol to maintain its iron-fisted control over the lesser districts.
'THG' comes across like Big Brother/Survivor; with alliances & eliminations. Difference is ... you're not voted off, you're killed as the competition nears its end. It's apparent that the source material/screenplay wants to show how we have embraced the violent side of reality shows. On the whole, our fascination with violence/suffering/tragedy on TV has gone too far. The Capitol uses The Hunger Games like a brainwashing drug to distract the districts from the actuality of their deplorable lives & from further uprise (i.e., depressed about your strife? Turn on the TV and watch some teens die in entertaining fashion). While watching this film, various images reminded me of the concentration camps during WWII, & even the gladiators in the Coliseum (fighting 'til death for entertainment). I mean, did the citizens of the Capitol even comprehend that their fascist, totalitarian leaders were killing off humans just because they were from poorer districts? Sick stuff.
'THG' is an okay (if flawed) adventure/survival drama. The acting is fine; with Jennifer Lawrence being the obvious stand-out. The production values ... well, they kind of ride a fine line between competent & campy. In other words, the art design is unique, but almost shoddily done; ditto for the costumes & make-up. There's skill to it; but its execution could have been, well, cleaner. The editing, musical score, action ... all fine. I just wish everything was more than fine. We, the viewer, are provided sufficient set-up, characterizations, & set pieces. But the complexity of the narrative seems to have been smoothed out to provide a more commercial entertainment. Only an outer shell of the allegories/themes are given to us. So while nothing about the film is egregious, and I liked enough of what I experienced, I wanted to feel more. More context, more emotion, & more cinematic imagination. Maybe fans of young adult novels will get more out of it than me.
Jennifer Lawrence inhabits the lead role with a quiet expressiveness; creating a compelling, relatable individual who can only suppress her subdued emotions for so long. My favorite moment of hers is the frozen-with-fear look she gets when the glass doors close on her (and the Hunger Games begin). She realizes that death could be greeting her in seconds. Lawrence's Katniss comes across as both tender & vulnerable (with her sister and Rue), but also tough & resourceful in the do-or-die competition. She's smart, too; understanding the implications of what she's doing. I also appreciated Josh Hutcherson's puppy dog likability. If Katniss isn't quite in love with him, we at least see why she has feelings for him. 'THG' offers a believable, palpable atmosphere filled with tension, unspoken anxieties, & ramifications. I enjoyed parts of it. But the filmmakers miss some opportunities to provide a more satisfying social criticism, as well as entertainment.
Once per year, a lottery is held in which both a male & female (age 12-18) are chosen & sent from each of the 12 districts to a fight-to-the-death gladiatorial battle that is the biggest televised event in Panem (like a messed-up reality show). And the last survivor (of the 24) is declared the winner (who may receive food for their struggling districts). For these 74th Games, 12 yr. old Primrose Everdeen is chosen as the female tribute from Distrct 12. To save her sister from a near-certain fate, 16 yr. old Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence, of Winter's Bone) volunteers to take the slot. She is joined on the journey to the Capitol by her male partner, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). Once there, the 2 tributes train with Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), an embittered drunk who won the Games some 24 yrs. ago.
Katniss receives moral support & advice during her training from the bizarre Effie Trinkett (Elizabeth Banks) & Cinna (Lenny Kravitz). Her boldness makes her a fast favorite - something that enrages the malevolent President Snow (Donald Sutherland) while delighting the games organizer, Senna Crane (Wes Bentley), as well as the on-air commentator (an eclectic Stanley Tucci). When the games begin, Katniss must survive the opening bloodbath, rely upon her sharp instincts in the heat of battle, & pretend to share a romance with Peeta to enhance her image with sponsors (who can donate food, medicine, messages). Near the end, however, she appears to develop genuine feelings for Peeta, which become a potential problem since, in order for her to win ... he would have to die. It's an impossible choice to make. Win, live, yet lose someone near & dear. Lose, die, & allow for the Capitol to maintain its iron-fisted control over the lesser districts.
'THG' comes across like Big Brother/Survivor; with alliances & eliminations. Difference is ... you're not voted off, you're killed as the competition nears its end. It's apparent that the source material/screenplay wants to show how we have embraced the violent side of reality shows. On the whole, our fascination with violence/suffering/tragedy on TV has gone too far. The Capitol uses The Hunger Games like a brainwashing drug to distract the districts from the actuality of their deplorable lives & from further uprise (i.e., depressed about your strife? Turn on the TV and watch some teens die in entertaining fashion). While watching this film, various images reminded me of the concentration camps during WWII, & even the gladiators in the Coliseum (fighting 'til death for entertainment). I mean, did the citizens of the Capitol even comprehend that their fascist, totalitarian leaders were killing off humans just because they were from poorer districts? Sick stuff.
'THG' is an okay (if flawed) adventure/survival drama. The acting is fine; with Jennifer Lawrence being the obvious stand-out. The production values ... well, they kind of ride a fine line between competent & campy. In other words, the art design is unique, but almost shoddily done; ditto for the costumes & make-up. There's skill to it; but its execution could have been, well, cleaner. The editing, musical score, action ... all fine. I just wish everything was more than fine. We, the viewer, are provided sufficient set-up, characterizations, & set pieces. But the complexity of the narrative seems to have been smoothed out to provide a more commercial entertainment. Only an outer shell of the allegories/themes are given to us. So while nothing about the film is egregious, and I liked enough of what I experienced, I wanted to feel more. More context, more emotion, & more cinematic imagination. Maybe fans of young adult novels will get more out of it than me.
Jennifer Lawrence inhabits the lead role with a quiet expressiveness; creating a compelling, relatable individual who can only suppress her subdued emotions for so long. My favorite moment of hers is the frozen-with-fear look she gets when the glass doors close on her (and the Hunger Games begin). She realizes that death could be greeting her in seconds. Lawrence's Katniss comes across as both tender & vulnerable (with her sister and Rue), but also tough & resourceful in the do-or-die competition. She's smart, too; understanding the implications of what she's doing. I also appreciated Josh Hutcherson's puppy dog likability. If Katniss isn't quite in love with him, we at least see why she has feelings for him. 'THG' offers a believable, palpable atmosphere filled with tension, unspoken anxieties, & ramifications. I enjoyed parts of it. But the filmmakers miss some opportunities to provide a more satisfying social criticism, as well as entertainment.