Lawrence is gorgeous and about as strong a role model for young people as you could ask for!

Rating: 10/10 (22 April 2012)

'THE HUNGER GAMES': Five Stars (Out of Five)
Blockbuster adaptation of the immensely popular young adult novel (of the same name) by Suzanne Collins. It was directed and co-written (with Collins and Billy Ray) by Gary Ross (who also wrote and directed such popular classics as 'PLEASANTVILLE' and 'SEABISCUIT'). The film stars Jennifer Lawrence, who rose to fame in 2010's 'WINTER'S BONE' in which, at age 20, she was the second youngest actress ever to be nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award! The movie is a very powerful and moving film going experience that is highlighted by Ross's masterful directing and Lawrence's outstanding performance!
The film is a science fiction action drama film that tells the story of a dystopian post-apocalyptic future set in the world of Panem. Panem consists of 12 poor districts ruled by a wealthy city known as the Capitol. The masses once attempted to rebel against the Capitol but failed and as punishment are now subject to 'The Hunger Games', a reality TV series broadcast for the public to watch in which a boy and girl (between the ages of 12 and 18) are selected from each district every year to fight to the death in a bloody arena. This first chapter (in a trilogy) revolves around Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), a sixteen year old who volunteers to participate in the game in order to save her twelve-year-old sister (Willow Shields) from having to. She's joined by Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), who's selected as the male participant, from their district.
Most young adult novel adaptations are poorly made films (the biggest example being 'THE TWILIGHT SAGA') and it's because they usually come from crappy books. 'THE HUNGER GAMES' is one exception that is widely seen as a very well written book series (another being the 'HARRY POTTER' books) and this first film adaptation is probably the best youth book movie yet! It's extremely dark and violent for a teen movie and I actually think it should have been rated R rather than PG-13; the themes and subject matter are pretty intense and disturbing but that's also why I think so highly of it. It's a very effective and nightmarish film going experience. Shocking, tragic and heartfelt (I cried multiple times while watching it).
Lawrence is gorgeous and about as strong a role model for young people as you could ask for. She's everything I would want in a woman as well. She gives an award worthy performance and really powers the film into masterpiece territory. Ross is about as good a writer and director for the material as the producers could have asked for as well. It's the best film I've seen this year!
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