The Girl On Fire!

Rating: 9/10 (3 December 2013)

Shortly after this movie came out, a lot of viewers wondered if Suzanne Collins was inspired by a Japanese flick called BATTLE ROYALE. Having viewed both, I can see where one might've inspired the other. But did Collins deliberately steal from the earlier work? We may never know. So, allow me to review this film on its own merits. The story: Some time in the future, America has become a dictatorship now called Pan-Am. Parts of the country are broken into 12 districts. Once a year, two children (from ages 11-17) are chosen from each district to participate in a death match called THE HUNGER GAMES. Only one can emerge victorious. In District 12, that honor (if you want to call it that) falls to Peeta and Katniss. Though the human drama takes up much of the first hour, the main story takes over when they start the game. While much of the book's violence has been toned down to ensure a PG-13 rating, it's still disturbing to watch teens killing each other (sometimes with sadistic glee.) Jennifer Lawrence's wonderful performance as Katniss placed her on the map as a talented and rising star. Everyone gives their role 110%, which includes Donald Sutherland as the icy President Snow and Woody Harrelson as Haymitch, District 12's mentor. Forgiving some laughable CGI effects late in the film, this movie is excellent all around and I would recommend watching this on a double-bill with BATTLE ROYALE. Both are equally strong! Also, keep an eye out for CATCHING FIRE, now in theatres!!!