Review: The Hunger Games

Plot: Based on the best selling novel by author Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian future, where the wreckage of what once was North America is now the totalitarian state of Panem. The country was once divided into thirteen districts, until an uprising by district 13 started a violent and bitter war. District 13 was eventually defeated--but at a deadly cost. In order to prevent future rebellions from ever occurring, Panem created The Hunger Games, a yearly pageantry of survival where two "tributes" (a boy and a girl) between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district are selected to participate. The 24 children are thrown into a manufactured arena created by Gamemaster Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) and forced to fight to the death--while the whole world watches.

When heroine Katniss Everdeen's (Jennifer Lawrence) twelve year old sister Primrose is selected at "The Reaping," Katniss volunteers in her place. Joining her from district 12 is Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) a boy intricately connected to Katniss's past. To win, Katniss must maximize the hunting and survival skills attained from her best friend Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth). But can Katniss or Peeta survive The Hunger Games while facing other tributes trained for the games, handling a drunken mentor in Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), and battling a dictatorial President Snow (Donald Sutherland) bent on crushing all hope?

Review: After having to endure the unmitigated disaster that has been the Twilight series over the last couple years, to say I had reservations about another popular young adult series being made into a movie was a massive understatement. However, in an effort to keep an open mind I decided to sit down and actually read the novels. I finished all three books inside a week and my expectations for the upcoming film soared higher than Whitney Houston on a Saturday night. (Too soon?)

As I sat down at the midnight show amidst the scores of Hunger Games fans all decked out in the regalia of the Capitol, it occurred to me: this thing is just as big as Twilight--maybe bigger. But would the film live up to the hype?

It is extremely satisfying to write that The Hunger Games surpassed my wildest expectations. Screenwriters Gary Ross, Billy Ray, and Suzanne Collins did a fantastic job translating Collins's work from page to screen. The adaptation is seamless with few changes, and remains faithfully loyal to the novel. With such amazing source material how could you not?

Ross not only co-wrote the screenplay but directed the film as well. The man who brought the world Seabiscuit and Pleasantville, did a masterful job bringing the world of Panem to life. Whether it was the lush forests of District 12 or the glitz and glamour of the Capitol, where wild fashion and excess rules the day, Ross delivered. Moreover, Ross highlights the differences between the other poor districts and the conspicuous consumption of the Capitol. It demonstrates a subtle but distinct class warfare analogy that manages to be relatable to modern times while not becoming overly preachy. In addition, it provides excellent social commentary on our modern day society where we subject ourselves to hours of horrific "reality" television. Similar to Stephen King's novel The Running Man and the subsequent 1987 movie, The Hunger Games is reality television taken to the nth degree. The fact that given the right circumstances The Hunger Games could be not only possible but probable is a terrifying thought.

In The Hunger Games Ross crafts a fluid tale with perfect pacing. Despite its almost 2 1/2 hour run time, the film rarely drags. Much like Lord of the Rings where director Peter Jackson blended actions scenes with real heartfelt emotional moments, Ross does the same here. Ross makes the initial race off the platform into the arena harrowing, while simultaneously making the death of a minor character heart wrenching.

While the cinematography of Tom Stern helped bring the world of The Hunger Games to life, the camera shots of fight scenes were choppy and often disorienting. It reminded me of The Blair Witch Project which almost made me nauseous. Hopefully that will improve in the next film. Stern's sometimes shoddy camerawork was made up for by T-Bone Burnett and James Newton Howard's score. I know the phrase "hauntingly beautiful" gets thrown around a lot but I can't think of a more appropriate phrase, even if it is a cliche. In many ways it reflects the world of The Hunger Games which is hauntingly beautiful.

The Hunger Games however could not succeed if not for the brilliant casting job by Lionsgate. Josh Hutcherson succeeds as the emotionally torn Peeta Mellark who wants show Panem that "they don't own me." Woody Harrelson also succeeds as the drunken former Hunger Games winner Haymitch who despite outward appearances, does care about Katniss and Peeta's survival. My only complaint is that I don't think Harrelson captured just how much of a drunk the Haymitch from the novel was. (A minor point but hey that's the critic in me.) Liam Hemsworth nailed the character of Gale albeit in a small role. It will be interesting to see how his character progresses in the upcoming films Catching Fire and Mockingjay.

I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the scene stealing performances of Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, the dolled up image conscious Capitol escort, and Stanley Tucci as talk show host and Hunger Games commentator Caesar Flickerman. Both actors perfectly captured the venal and self-involved nature of the capital. Donald Sutherland was equally strong as the cold hearted and ruthless President Snow. Like Gale it will be interesting to see how his character progresses in the subsequent sequels.

Despite all of these amazing performances, The Hunger Games would never have succeeded without the fantastic lead performance of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. When initially cast many fans questioned how the buxom blond could pull of the lithe, dark haired forest girl that fires arrows like Robin Hood. A mark of a great actor is someone who transforms themselves wholeheartedly into a character despite arguments to the contrary. Lawrence did all this and more. The Academy Award nominee (Winter's Bone) displayed gritty strength and determination but also managed to show Katniss's vulnerable side. Katniss is someone who will do anything for her family or friends, someone who fights for what is good and just in this world.

If The Hunger Games is the anti-Twilight, then Katniss Everdeen is the anti-Bella Swan. Rather than a lame damsel in distress who measures her level of self-worth through other men, Katniss is a strong confident young woman and an excellent role model for young girls. Although it is early in 2012, I wouldn't be surprised if Lawrence snagged another Oscar nomination and certainly Ross, Collins, and Ray deserve consideration for Best Adapted Screenplay.

The Hunger Games is a dynamic and wholly engrossing film that succeeds on almost every level and is easily one of the best films so far this year.

My rating: 9/10