Enveloped in tension and powerfully acted, the Hunger Games delivers the promise of a potential franchise starter. Anchored by new A-lister Jennifer Lawrence, the Hunger Games builds relentlessly toward its climax while successfully building a unique world that leaves room to expand upon in future sequels. After the two and a half hours were over, I was left salivating for more.
Based on the Suzanne Collins novel, the Hunger Games takes place in the futuristic dystopian society of Panem (the former United States). The capitol controls the money and the power, and exerts its control over 12 districts, which are kept in poverty. To keep them in line, each year, 2 participants (a boy and girl) between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected to participate in the Hunger Games: a Winner-Take-All battle to the death that sparks the interest of every person in the country. When her sister Prim gets selected, 15 year old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers in her place. Joined by Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) from which their share a history, Katniss journeys to the capital to be trained and eventually participate in this battle royale (the name of a Japanese movie with a similar premise).
The movie shares a similar tension with the movie Aliens. It builds very slowly, with dread infusing every frame after the 2 tributes travel to the capital until the games begin. After the games start, it is a fantastic display of action sequences and character moments. The movie isn’t perfect with all its characters but it does have some nice moments for Elizabeth Banks (as the D12 sponsor), Woody Harrelson (as a previous Hunger Games winner), Lenny Kravitz (yes, that Lenny Kravitz), and Amanda Stenberg (as Rue, a younger contestant in the games).
The look and feel of the movie is impressive. At different points it goes from the expansive view of the capitol city to an intimate view in the woods. It ebbs and flows between venues very easily, making the scope of each scene as big as it needs to be. If anything is be left desired, the action scenes move too quickly, eliminating the gravity of some of the deaths of certain characters. Most of this is due to the PG-13 rating.
The movie is not heavy handed with its themes, but most of them are there. The government control part is set up well enough in the movie thanks to Donald Sutherland’s President Snow, and the reality TV part also is solid. It is not quite on the level of the Truman Show, but it is still well examined.
This film would not be successful without a great lead performance, and Jennifer Lawrence delivers. She’s played a similar character to this one in the underrated Winter’s Bone, but here, she carries so much expression in her face that she can generate multiple emotions from a single stare. It is a rare trait that only the best possess, and her presence dominates the entire film. She is surrounded by many great actors as well as noted above. The chemistry between her and Josh Hutcherson felt off, but it wasn’t completely unbelievable.
Overall, the Hunger Games is a faithful adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s novel. Comparisons to Twilight are completely undeserved. This picture is superior in almost every way. I would take Katniss Everdeen over Bella Swan any day of the week.