Hunger Games

Never has Hollywood experienced a movie quite like this. It wasn't because of the story itself but because of the rabid fans that followed the production of the movie like it was going to be their saving grace. Being the first movie in what is set to be the biggest franchise since Harry Potter, one would normally assume the first movie would be performing well enough at the box office. Instead, The Hunger Games has exploded into creating a fan base that rivals the very best of Harry Potter fans and Twi-hards. 

Based on the best-selling books by Suzanne Collins, Gary Ross directs an extremely talented cast, as well as one of the most powerful young actresses of our time. Jennifer Lawrence, who quickly rose to fame after "Winter's Bone" was released, plays the title character of Katniss Everdeen who volunteers herself as a participant in the yearly Hunger Games put on by the futuristic government of Panem in order to save her sister from certain death.  With the help of her fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson, the two of them battle for their lives against tributes from eleven other districts. With the odds never in their favor, they go through hell trying to find a way to survive an onslaught of attacks coming every direction, in a large variety of ways. 

After reading the books I was extremely excited about the possibilities of it being made into a movie. The book was so vivid I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning I was enraptured by the young Katniss and her struggle to provide for herself and her family. She had little to nothing from the very beginning. The book was so detailed I was worried that the film wouldn't be able to explain everything and just be left with an incomplete story. While watching I had to revert back to the book to help explain what I was seeing on screen. There was so much information regarding the choices of the characters and details of the games missing that I had to fill it in from my memory of the books. I was worried that after so much hype the movie had received, it wouldn't live up to the standards that were set. People just might leave the theaters scratching their heads over what the heck happened. The more I ask people who haven't read the book if they understood what was going on, the more I am convinced that Ross, Collins and Billy Ray, took as much time as they needed in writing a phenomenal screenplay. It covered just about everything from the book, in just the right amount of time. There were many little tid-bits here and there that happened in the book but never were fully explained in the movie, but those were just for the fans to point out and have fun with. 

As far as my own standards go, it was a fun popcorn movie. It could have easily turned to a political drama, or a gross out gore-fest, and instead they found their balance between brutality, drama, comedy, and love. Not being a fan of the shaky "Bourne-like" camera style, they impressed me by being able to hide the brutality in some fights and yet still now what's going on. As well as show the sensitivity of the dramatic scenes. It's a nonstop, adrenaline pumping, ass-kicking kind of movie. Some of the moments I was looking forward to most were a little bit of a let down, but that's my own fault for having (some would say) high expectations. They still were able to show off the creativity of Collins' novel and give a sense that there was more to be discovered in reading the books.

Having multiple layers of stories going on at once and only seeing the story through Katniss' eyes made the movie take on a feeling of mystery as well. There was only so much information we were given, but in that absence we subconsciously came up with our own conclusions. Which only lead to in-depth conversations about the movie with whoever you went with when it's finished. There is a very strong love triangle in the movie that I wish would have been seen more of, but I understand that that story wasn't the main purpose in this movie. It wasn't about whether Katniss loves Peeta or Gale (Liam Hemsworth), it was all about what sacrifices people are willing to make to stand up against injustice, and cruelty. What are we willing to do to protect our own family.

This was an exciting movie that definitely needs to be seen on the big screen. Whether it's in 3D or not, it deserves the arena of a cinema. With this movie still holding the top of box office after more than two weeks in the theaters, it goes to show that the world definitely has been watching. I'll have to agree with most of the country when I say I would love to see it again. It's a great movie to go see with a bunch of friends just as a time to hang out and have some fun, but beware the friends who are die-hard "Hunger-fans." They may end up ruining the theater experience with their constant complaining of what was left out or how it didn't look like they had imagined. Just know this complaining audience members, Suzanne Collins, who you know as the author of the very same books you love and hold dear, also helped write the screenplay. She signed off on it. She approves. So shut up.