An Excellent Critique on Society

Rating: 9/10 (2 May 2012)

The Hunger Games is a superb dystopian movie and novel. While some may call this a typical dystopian movie about the atrocities of some modern utopic society; I think it goes much deeper.
The Hunger Games movie is an excellent critique on the dangers of a completely materialistic society, in which man is seen as merely a material object. This cleverly crafted criticism is depicted through the people of the Capitol. Throughout the movie you see the disparity between the Capitol and the rest of Panem. The people of the Capitol are displayed as garish and overly extravagant. This is a society completely based on materialism, excess and frivolity. Although not seen in this movie, Suzanne Collins describes later in the series that the very meaning of Panem comes from the phrase 'panem et circenses' Latin for bread and circuses. The meaning is often used to describe Roman society, who appeased the crowds with bread and gladiatorial games. The Capitol is a society in which every person's wants and needs are provided for. The games then, are simply to keep them entertained; it's a distraction from the boredom of life. I also think that the site of Panem as modern America is another interesting point to ponder, as America has often been described as the 'New Rome.'
The movie portrays not just the injustice of the games but begs the question "what is man in a completely materialistic society?" What makes the people of the Capitol barbarous is not their technology, or even their wealth, but their refusal to see these children or 'tributes' as anything more than objects. I love the scene of Katniss and Peeta's the last night together before the games, where Peeta says "I keep wishing I could think of a way to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their Games." This movie depicts that man is not merely an object, animal or machine, he must be something more. All told, this movie is a great watch. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a thought provoking story.