The Hunger Games - A Review

Hunger Games - Movie based on the book by Suzanne Collins

Hunger Games is an amazing story based on the book written by Suzanne Collins. It is the first in the series and has done better than other movies in that category. We have seen sequels come out and do as well, but never before has the first one done so well. I can see why.

Basic Story Line

This story takes place in a futuristic world. The main girl in the story, Katniss is 16 years old, and lives with her mother and sister in what is called District 12. The district happens to be in the poorest district in what used to be the United States. Many things have happened, but in short the different districts waged war on the Capitol and lost. This is part of the result of fighting up against a powerful government.

Each district basically had to surrender to the government, and part of the terms of that surrender are what we see playing out in the hunger games. Each district was forced to agree to send one boy and one girl to appear in a widely popular televised event called the Hunger Games.

There are 24 children competing, and Katniss offered herself up as tribute in place of her little sister whose name was chosen. There is a big "to do" at the beginning and each team from each district comes in on a chariot to a roaring crowd eager to see the games begin. The children know they must get killed or be killed by the others.

Some Points of Interest

This movie, from the moment I saw the first preview got my attention for many reasons. First, my 13 year old had read the book and is reading the subsequent ones. Second, I had to wonder how appropriate such content is for kids. The book is even more intense than the movie, for whatever that is worth. Its just a very serious story line, not one you might normally see for kids. It is being played up as quite a children's movie, that I have seen, with every child wanting to see it and read the book.

My son turned 14 the day after the movie came out, so naturally we all wanted to go and see it. I have to say that I cried but enjoyed it for the most part. I am one of those people though that pays close attention to what is happening in the world, as much as I can anyway. I pay attention to what I see happening in my own country and have great concern about it. I also have studied history of different countries and so all these things put together really generated a lot of thoughts in me, to say the least!

Recommendation - To see or not to see the Hunger Games?

I would recommend it to anyone that would be willing to see it, even read the book, but would caution showing it to smaller children. That said, my guess is that all kids would want to see it, and maybe ought to for a variety of different reasons. If they are prone to anxiety or tend to get nightmares, that is another thing to consider. Both my husband and son that read the book, both say that the book is much more scary. My husband was surprised to see so many younger children in the theater like under 10 years old. He told me he couldn't see taking a child under d10 to see it. I think many don't realize it is geared toward young adult and adult audiences.

While this is just fiction, it comes at an interesting time in our own world history as we see less and power within nations being able to govern themselves, and more bigger governments everywhere. This isn't the way of freedom, and perhaps this can be a wake up call of sorts! Not wanting to get too political or philosophical here but there is a lot of food for thought.

For those that may be reading this, there are kids that kill other kids, there beasts they create that are like part dog/beasts that chase them through the woods and one young man is heard screaming as he is being eaten by them, etc. You hear a big boom, like the sound of a cannon going off after the heart stops in each of the kids as they die. They show them injecting trackers into their arms, so they can know the precise locations of the kids and when their hearts stop. Each parent knows their child, and can at least warn them if nothing else after knowing some of these details.

I will end with the idea that evidently it was pretty true to the story, and thus somewhat entertaining if not every interesting. It is sad, and fairly emotional in parts, though the costume and makeup seemed over the top which I guess is part of the futuristic part of things playing out.

What I liked most is that there was some moral encouragement in the midst of such an evil scenario playing out. I love it when goodness and strength of character win out over the opposite, especially in the face of danger and when the odds are stacked against you. You want the good guy to win, and be rewarded and this is something that tends to ring true in most people I know. Not giving in to what is necessarily expected of you, nor rewarding the cowardly types that will sell out, etc.

Love Component

I was surprised there was such a love story included in it. At one point I whispered something having to do with Romeo and Juliet..... were they going to really do something drastic? I won't spoil it.

Jennifer Lawrence, the one that plays Katniss Everdeen, is an amazing actress especially with the personality of the main character. If you get to see it, watch her eyes as she is struggling regarding the inward feelings she must be feeling. You get to know her and can sense the tension and struggle.

Seeing Woody Harrelson was an interesting surprise, and he did great in his character. Evidently in the book, he was quite a bit more inebriated. Wes Bently had an interesting role, as did Josh Hutcherson. Liam Hensworth had a not too large part, but it played out well and you really came to like him. I wonder what the future movies will hold? Daniel Sutherland and Stanley Tucci had unforgettable roles, as did the woman with all the makeup that did the announcing in the beginning.

The Hunger Games is a good story that leaves you hanging and hopefully thinking a bit more deeply about things!