Picturesque scenery and wavering melodies, overshadowed by the brute unethical but the cult of survival.

Rating: 8/10 (3 October 2012)

Once again the news of an up-and-coming novel series hits the paperback mantelpiece, news of a cinema expedition earths the media with a flourish of brand new protagonists who have intermittently had recognisable roles in many of their films but never had the ruptured their stance in the big time. Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men: First Class) participates as Katniss Everdeen, a mentally cool sixteen year old heroine who volunteers in place of her younger sister to take part in a periodic competition of survival and wit called The Hunger Games, a game of anonymous youngsters killing each other until they are whittled down to a champion. Selection is highly documented, the process is simple and unsystematic, one boy and one girl brawling in an unprecedented, just to make money and provide entertainment for the voracious masses. This journeying rampage has been seen in Japan with Battle Royale, and the nauseating fierce interpretation of the contest in The Condemned starring ex-wrestler Steve Austin alongside Vinnie Jones. Beyond this, games of survival have been part of the ethos of life since the ancient Roman and Greek sports. Survival sports have been overwhelmed with a new design, new combating technique and warfare, establishing itself upon the terrace with such mêlée films as Gladiator.
Collins' novel poses a ravishing and penetrating energy; it's a stirring fantasy with copious abundance of themes, with innumerable avenues to explore character development and situational circumstances. Katniss is a character of riding emotions. She comprehends with the intricate notions of the game, the impending sincerity of death but also accompanies an astonishing warrior psyche, believing in the decisions she makes and the philosophy of survival techniques. The earthly feel of Katniss' hiding in the trees whilst she plots her safety or her next move really provide the story with a eccentric feel of the location. The futuristic tones of Collins's writings offer an alternative diversion to the aggression, providing us with an eccentric fairytale feel to it with an enchanting soundtrack.
For once there are no sexual implications surrounding a female persona on the big screen. Instead we revel with the composite temperament of the mind as the violence has been stripped back from the novels; readers may find themselves a modestly disenchanted. A full catalogue of pointers such as cynicism have been toned down by themes of lighter tenor of selfishness, defiance and imprudent teenage pronouncements. There is a distinct thesis of the division of class. In District 12, Katniss' home village scour for food, clothe themselves in grey overalls, whereas the brightness of colour surrounding the mighty rich encompasses the differentiation between each district.
The leisurely pace of the tale allows us to appreciate character growth, effectively giving us the opportunity to understand the notions of the trilogy. Not only do we feel the emotion of Katniss we instantly feel attached to Peeta's (Josh Hutcherson) devotion and affection for his counterpart despite the two barely crossing each other's paths in the village. Hutcherson bright performance really tells the tale of Peeta's frail characteristics exploring his nervous qualities but knowingly suggesting he possesses great loyalty and honour to the sword. There is more than an inch of primal impact on the audience as the mystery of the battle increases the eventual showdown by using striking cinematography and resisting the push to provide the audience with an action packed beginning. The build up of tension is quite electrifying, giving a reflection of the various moods that encompass the temperament of the lead up to the ultimate clash. Truly encapsulating.