“The Hunger Games,” released on March 23, was a spectacular end to Spring Break.
Based on the book by Suzanne Collins, “The Hunger Games” was the best book to movie adaptation I’ve seen in a long time. Granted, it was a bit long, but I enjoyed every second of the movie.
The film stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, the brave, outgoing hero of her family that has suffered the loss of her father recently.
It also stars Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, the baker’s son of District 12. Liam Hemsworth plays Gale, long-time friend of Katniss.
The Hunger Games are held every year, and participants are chosen by the annual “reaping,” which is a random drawing of names from each of the 12 districts of Panem. Effie Trinket, played by Elizabeth Banks, is the emcee of the annual reaping, and leaves the participants of the games, which are called “tributes,” with the motto of the games: “May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor.”
A girl and boy are chosen from each district to participate in the annual games, and fight to the death.
Children from the ages of 12 to 18 can participate in the games. After the names are drawn, someone can volunteer for the tribute that is chosen. When Prim, who has just reached the age for the reaping, is chosen to be a tribute, Katniss bravely volunteers in the place of her younger sister.
The games are a huge spectator sport, everyone in Panem watches as every aspect of the games is filmed and broadcasted.
Spectators of the games are given opportunities to sponsor the tributes in the games by sending them food or medicine as they need it as the games get more intense.
This movie has started a new obsession among young readers. Much like the “Twilight” adaptations, the target audience for this movie is teenage girls, but unlike the “Twilight” adaptations, everyone can enjoy this movie.
The quality of filming is incredible. Everything seems so real, even though Panem is a completely fictional place; the film does a fantastic job of bringing it to life.
There are parts of the movie that are quite violent, but it’s a fight to the death, so I think the violence in the movie is necessary.
There are shaky-cam moments when there are chases during the games, which can make a viewer motion-sick, but those moments are brief.
As someone who has read the books, I knew what was going to happen going in to the movie. That is a place that was somewhat lacking.
Some more explanation could have been included in the movie for someone who hasn’t read the books prior to seeing the movie.
Gary Ross, who also co-wrote the screenplay, along with Collins, directed “The Hunger Games.”
The movie has been a success, with an opening weekend making $152,535,747.
Even if someone hasn’t read the books, I would recommend this movie. It has something for everybody.
“The Hunger Games” has action, suspense and even a little love, so it can be enjoyed by the masses.
“The Hunger Games” runs at 142 minutes and is rated PG-13. It is playing at the Cinemark Towne Centre in Conway.
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