Thrilling film set in a future called "Panem", in which various teens are selected for a televised fight-to-the-death

Rating: 7/10 (22 May 2012)

In a dystopian future , totalitarian nation of Panem is divided between 12 districts and the Capitol . A fascist government led by President Snow ( Donald Sutherland) has forged a program for teens , broadcasting live like a reality television movie . In this fictional universe, some teenagers are randomly selected and sent into forests during various days to participate in The Hunger Games . Teens are given an only chance , all they have to do is survive an on going battle with especially trained young assassins in the woods . Part entertainment, part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem . The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch . When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim (Shields), is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take her place . She and her male counterpart Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives (the nasty Alexander Ludwig) who have trained for this their whole lives.
This exciting film contains dramatic events , action , thrills, suspense , blood and is plenty of graphical violence . Special effects laden adaptation of the Suzanne Collins novel about a futuristic TV game show in which each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games . Excellent action sequences with bloody attacks and violent and blistering struggles . The movie displays strong and realistic battles ; furthermore an enjoyable love story among teens . It turn out to be a blending about an adolescent group on abandoned location such as ¨Lord of flies¨ (William Golding) , the game to death from ¨Running man¨ (Paul Michael Glaser , 1987) and the tyrannical control by the government of ¨1984¨ (George Orwell) and teen fights from ¨Battle Royale¨ (Kinji Fukasaku) . Jennifer Lawrence is an appropriate warrior in a powerful performance though Josh Hutcherson is miscast . Magnificent plethora of secondary actors give good performances as Stanley Tucci , Wes Bentley , Toby Jones , Woody Harrelson , Elizabeth Banks , Donald Sutherland and including the singer Lenny Kravitz . Emotive and thrilling musical score by James Newton Howard . Colorful and adequate cinematography by Tom Stern . The motion picture was well directed by Gary Ross (Seabiscuit , Pleasantville) . Rating : Good , better than average . Well worth watching .