The Hunger Games

Rating: 9/10 (2 May 2012)

The Hunger Games, directed by Gary Ross, lived up to its hype by showcasing intense characters, detailed costume designing, and an inventive atmosphere that truly brought the book to life. The novel, The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, mesmerized me in the two days that I spent reading it, and by being so infatuated by the book, I prayed that the film would accentuate that same excitement. Fortunately for me, the movie did just that, and director Gary Ross used his touch of brilliance to create a nail biting film that captured the novel's themes of love, war, and hope. Although the movie exceeded two hours in length, it contained no uninteresting segments and the plot moved smoothly and efficiently. The three main characters in The Hunger Games, Katniss, Peeta, and Gale, were convincingly portrayed in the movie and the personality traits of each character were articulated and evident in their actions. As Katniss, Jennifer Lawrence was the fierce, skilled, and intelligent young woman that the book described, and the big screen allowed Katniss' character to truly flourish. Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson, who played Gale and Peeta, made a perfect supporting cast, and the duo helped bring Katniss' contrasting qualities of toughness and femininity to the forefront. The multiple settings of the movie were exactly what I had pictured while reading the book, and I loved how director Ross captured the desolation of District 12, the flamboyance of the Capital, and the treacherousness of the arena. Overall, I enjoyed the movie because of its realistic effects, its adherence to the novel, and its ability to keep me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire film. It is rare to witness a movie that forces oneself to meditate on the plot after leaving the theater, but this film involved elements of culture, politics, and morals that provided food for thought. I am happy to say that The Hunger Games did live up to its hype, and after seeing the movie, I am keenly anticipating the sequel, Catching Fire.