Modern Classic

Rating: 10/10 (20 August 2012)

"The Hunger Games" is a film that I seem to have a higher opinion of than many people here. As a film buff (Particularly in the action and gangster genres), I am very familiar with quality chase films like "Bullett", "North By Northwest" and "Westworld" so I know a great chase when I see one. I really believe "The Hunger Games" is a modern classic that is well worth seeing. There are two things that really stand out to me. 1: Although the film (As well as the books, (That I did not read)), are targeted towards young adults, there are plenty of things in there (Fictional and non-fictional), that are very familiar to adults (Of which I am one). The fictional elements include: William Tell (The shooting of the apple in the pig's mouth), "The Running Man" (More on this later), "The Most Dangerous Game" (Particularly the scenes of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), having to live off the land and the sicking of dogs on her), "The Lottery" (The Shirley Jackson story is an obvious inspiration to the choosing of people from the various Districts to compete in "The Hunger Games", since with the exception of the overall winner, "Winning" the lottery is a negative,"Total Drama Island" and Greek Mythology. The Non-Fiction parts include: Joan of Arc (Katniss), Christ, "Survivor", The Olympic Games, Ancient Rome, France at the time of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI (Check out the costumes and gardens "I remember seeing them in Mel Brooks "History of The World Part I")), and Nazi Germany. The other thing that stands out is the character of Katniss. There is a quote by Shakespeare: " Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." (12th Night). Katniss was born great (Unlike a lot of other teen heroes such as Peter Parker (Spiderman), or The "Karate Kid" who fit into those achievement or thrusting categories). Spoilers: If you go right to the beginning of the film, where she sneaks into another District to hunt, and where she becomes the 1st person in the 74 year History of "The Hunger Games" to volunteer after her sister Primrose (Willow Shields) was selected, you know she is someone to be reckoned with. As you learn about her, you see even more how special she is. For example: When she shot the apple in the mouth of a pig, when "Judges" were having a party and not paying attention to her (She got the highest grade (11 out of 12) from the judges), and when Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), her co-competitor from District 12, says: "My family said, we may finally having a winner from District 12, and it is not me, it is you." Check out this great line from evil President Snow (Donald Sutherland):" There are lots of underdogs in this world," he snaps, "if you could really see them, you would not root for them either." (He knew she was dangerous, and a threat to the state). A much different scenario then with Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) in "The Running Man." (A film that had similar themes (A futuristic TV competition involving an innocent person and an oppressive government). Think about that: Arnie not considered as dangerous as a 16 year old girl? Well if you saw both films, you would know that Katniss had more obstacles to overcome then Ben ever did. Finally the scene with the flowers where she places them over Portia (Latarsha Rose) the little plant girl who saved her life, followed by the "Love Sign", shows compassion and decency, and the way she pays attention and learns things extremely quickly goes beyond what would expected from a 16th year old of her background (Which is in extreme poverty, and probably without an education). This is an extremely easy character to like, and to root for, and coupled with an intelligent script and lots of action, makes for a modern classic. 10/10 stars.