Film Review: Hunger Games

Published on April 11, 2012 at 1:34 pm by Kelly O'Brien

BILLED as being the answer to the Twilight craze, The Hunger Games serves only to delight its audience. This fantasy-thriller takes place in a futuristic North American setting which is experiencing heavy repercussions following an uprising which tore colonised America to shreds. Director Gary Ross, famed for his work on the movie Seabiscuit, produces quite a spectacular show which captures all the emotion and action portrayed within the book series penned by Suzanne Collins.

At first glance, the film moves to deceive the audience with its setting. North America has become a totalitarian state which has lead to food shortages and as a result, an uprising. This uprising was soon scuppered by the government who then generously decided to “forgive” the inhabitants by setting up an X-Factor-esque television show in which two representatives from all 12 districts are selected and pitted against each other in a fight to the death, with only very basic training and knowledge of the playing field. This is the authorities’ way of trying to keep the peace, instilling fear of the games into the nation.
           

What was interesting in this movie was the costume department’s choice of attire for the stars. With the nation having become poverty stricken, they have reverted to a 19th century style which only enhances the viewers experience and provides a unique back drop of colour for the selection process to take place.
           

Our protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, is expertly played by future superstar Jennifer Lawrence who displays maturity and acting flair beyond her years. Moving on from her role in X-Men: First Class, Lawrence keeps up her thirst for action with a vein pumping showing which captures the imagination of the audience. This, supplemented by her fantastic ability to act out the anger, angst, and just a hint of teenage cynicism of her character had been admired for in the written series, makes for an inspired performance that distracts us from the fact that the games do not even start until half way through the 144 minute production.
           

The Hunger Games certainly provides enough thrills and action to entertain any audience throughout the entire movie. Adoptions from books have never been my cup of tea; however The Hunger Games may just have changed my appetite.

Fionnbarr Thompson

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