Entertaining yet mentally stimulating movie for teens and their parents alike

Rating: 9/10 (28 August 2012)

With the end of the "Harry Potter" saga and the "Twilight" series about to wrap up, Hollywood is ripe for a new movie franchise to take their place. After several attempts, Lionsgate came out on top with this summer's highly successful "The Hunger Games."
For those who live under a rock, the Hunger Games are an annual event that pit children from different districts against each other in a battle to the death. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Evergreen must rely on her training and archery skills to survive and return to her family. Her feelings for another competitor in the deadly Games complicate matters.
Everything about this movie is thought-provoking. It also contains layers of social commentary which add to its allure for teens and adults alike. Is it violent and controversial? Of course it is. It wouldn't be as wildly popular as it is if it wasn't.
Director Gary Ross does a wonderful job of capturing the animalistic nature and tragedy of the Games in a faux-shaky cam way that makes viewers feel like they're in the thick of the action. However, it doesn't cause you to want to blow chunks at the screen like "Paranormal Activity" or "The Last Exorcism" do.
If you're looking for an entertaining yet mentally stimulating movie for teens and their parents alike, this will hit the spot and encourage them to discuss the themes explored in the film.