Trauma - Rebellion - War - the Tragedy of Katniss Everdeen - a REAL Hero

Rating: 9/10 (19 April 2020)

Sometime in the future PANEM - what is left of North America - has survived some dreadful catastrophe. It has organised itself into a dozen Districts that provide the resources to a central 'Capitol' run by the ruthless President Snow. We learn that the Districts rebelled against the Capitol in the past but failed - and must now pay the penalty. Every year, each District must provide 2 Tributes - one Male One Female between the ages of 12 - 18 to take part in 'The Hunger Games' - a televised event that allows just ONE victor to survive the ordeal. In District 12 - the Mining District - they have only had one winner during the previous 73 Games. Names will be selected by drawing lots and today - the 74th Games - will be the first time for Primrose Everdeen. Her Sister, Katniss, has already been through several 'Reapings' and reassures her that she will be OK. Katniss is a loner - she hunts/poaches on the fringe of her District and loves the woods and natural outdoor life. She is highly proficient with a Bow and uses it to bring much needed extra food to her Family. At a market she is given a little badge featuring a 'Mockingjay' bird - something that will in the future become indelibly linked to her. At the Reaping it is Primrose's name that is called out - the only way to save her is to 'volunteer' as Tribute - which Katniss selflessly does - and joins the other 'successful' candidate - Peeta Mellark to journey to the Capitol to be trained to fight in the Games. Both Katniss and Peeta realise their chances of survival are slim to none. Haymitch Abernathy, the only previous District 12 winner is now their 'Mentor' on how to play this 'game'. He tells Katniss she needs to learn how to make 'allies' of other tributes - something alien to her nature. But the other Districts also have Tributes that are better trained and more ruthless than the two District 12 trainees.
This is the basic set-up for the first Film in the Series and, having watched it again recently, it has shown itself to be an exceptionally well-made cinematic piece. This Film Series - based on the hugely successful novels by Suzanne Collins - is still the very best of the so-called 'Young Adult' spate of novels and Films that appeared in the 2010's. The 'Maze Runner' and the 'Divergent' Series all owe their basic DNA to this series. Why then is the 'Hunger Games' so effective?
Firstly, a lot of people have compared 'The Hunger Games' to Fukasaku's Japanese Film 'Battle Royale' - which is a mistake. The two Films are very much products of their respective cultures. The irony is that 'Battle Royale' (the central idea of which is of an entire School Class having to fight each other to the death) was made SO explicitly violent and bloody that the Film could not be seen by the very audience the Director wanted to tap into (15+)!! Also, as we will see, 'The Hunger Games' really isn't about the 'Games' at all - it is about war - and the price some generations have to pay to fight oppression.
The Film makers of the 'Hunger Games' did NOT make that mistake. Collins made it clear that these novels were aimed at a 'Young Adult' (YA) audience and Director Gary Ross and the Producers ultimately made a Film that COULD be seen by these 12 to 15 year olds. This is an important point to make as the approach to this Film is actually very subtle - the violence is never glorified or unnecessary. They could have gone and made a VERY different Film but decided on realistic and sympathetic ideal that allowed ALL ages to see the film through the eyes of the main Protagonist - Katniss Everdeen. The vast majority of the film is seen through Katniss' point of view - she is a simple, cold, taciturn, stubborn and loyal individual, who simply wants to ensure the survival of her Sister and Family. The Capitol - and all of it's 'pleasures' make absolutely no impression on her at all. As she matures through the entire tale, Katniss's niave view of the world starts to disintegrate - she is a pawn, being used and played by many other people - it is her humanity and courage that others wish to exploit.
The design of the Film is exceptionally well done as it contrasts the poverty of the Districts with the super wealth (and indifference) of the citizens of the Capitol. The opening shots of District 12 - people shuffling mindlessly along - destitute and starving - remind one of scenes from the Great Depression and 'The Grapes of Wrath' - no doubt the intention of Director Gary Ross. This is contrasted with the overblown Fashion of the Capitol, where every accessory, whether it is clothing, hair or make up, is taken to the extreme.
The Main Characters and their Cast too are well done - and all will have their own journeys to make. Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss to the hilt and cemented her reputation as a leading Actress. The sheer confusion she exhibits - a stranger in a strange land - is very well executed. Her Character will be dealt blow after blow, exploited and betrayed. In a very real sense she IS this story - she states truthfully "I never wanted any of this" - but events will overtake her.
Josh Hutcherson's Peeta Mellark is the underdog - and very much 2nd fiddle to Katniss - a difficult role to play but his humanity and gentle soul are things that Katniss can identify with. Liam Hemsworth's Gale Hawthorne is Katniss's boyfriend - left behind in 12 when she leaves for the Capitol. They have grown up together but events will twist this relationship.
Effie Trinket is the epitome of the Capitol's ideals in Fashion and outlook. Dressed as if she has to be a performance all day long, Elizabeth Banks nails her character so that at once we are appalled by her insensitivities but also recognise that she does have a moral compass - something that will be tested by the events to come.
The pivotal role of Mentor Haymitch Abernathy - Woody Harrelson - is another who will run the gauntlet of change. Cynical, alcoholic and acerbic, he is the ONLY other District 12 winner and has spent decades mentoring and waving young people off to their deaths. He can no longer see any chance of success - until he encounters Katniss. It is a love/hate relationship - she is as direct as him, so sparks will fly. But there is also respect.
The lurking, menacing presence of President Coriolanus Snow is superbly portrayed by veteran Donald Sutherland. This is a highly nuanced performance by Sutherland - his villain is deadly because he thinks, exploits and ruthlessly does what he has to maintain his power - and the status quo. His quiet monologues are dripping with threat.
'The Hunger Games' introduces us to this world and revels in the excitement and thrill of watching the 'Games' - it lulls the audience into looking at the Hunger Games exactly as the people in the capitol do - as an audience thrill spectacle - getting swept up in the hype, glamour, Fashion, and the excitement of betting and watching young people die. This is then balanced by the view of Katniss - watching young people die at first hand and feeling the fear of imminent death. Katniss is not a 'superhero' - she is frequently confused, traumatised and bested in combat. She is flawed, stubborn and courageous. Her friendship with one of the youngest Tributes - Rue - shows that she has heart and it is the brutal end of this friendship that will spark the events outside the Games arena. Rue is hit be a spear thrown by another player - Katniss almost in reflex shoots him down with an arrow - but then realises that Rue is dying. Instead of merely thinking about her own safety, Katniss now holds Rue gently until she dies - a heart-rending scene as Katniss cries her heart out - something being witnessed by Rue's Home District on big Monitors. Katniss delicately builds Rue a bed of flowers and then turns to one of the many hidden cameras and raises her hand in the 'upturned three finger' salute of defiance. District 11 explodes into violence. Katniss is unaware of what her simple actions have triggered, but it is the catalyst that will drive the increasing tensions across Panem.
Katniss shows herself a REAL Hero, not one with superpowers, armour or other such affectations - she is fighting for her Family, trying to do the decent thing and just to survive. Even at the end where only Peeta and her remain, she would rather eat poisoned berries with Peeta - with both dying - than kill Peeta just to 'win'. Here is indeed something 'heroic' and the thing that made Katniss a role for so many young people from both the books and Films. The Capitol's 'Gamemaker' now has to make a decision - let them both die (no winner at all) or let them both live to ensure a 'hopeful' conclusion. He chooses the latter - a fateful one for him as Snow sees this as a total failure of the system.
The series will continue and it is in the sequel 'Catching Fire' that we realise that this is NOT about the 'Games' at all - it is about what they represent and the longing of people to fight oppression.
'The Hunger Games' has its detractors - some say it 'tones down' the violence to make it appeal to a younger audience (and ensure they can actually see it!) - that is correct but it makes it a much better film for it. If doesn't glorify or linger on the deaths. What the Film DOES do is show a young girl battling odds in a dreadful world. It shows the pain, death, and rage of those who are forced to live by this code. For it is the young people who always have to face up to this. In the subsequent Films Katniss will see her world explode in violence, Rebellion and War. Sacrifices will have to be made, people die, populations decimated and Katniss will be damaged like everyone else. As Alma Coin will say much later "There is no victory without sacrifice" - indeed - and it is as well to show young people what that actually means.