Thoroughly Entertaining!

Rating: 8/10 (23 March 2012)

If one were to watch Gary Ross' "The Hunger Games" with a preconception that it is another one of those action films targeted at teen audiences, then they might just be disappointed. Sure, the film has a lot of tense moments, and there's some decent action too, but that isn't what it's built upon.
"The Hunger Games", based on Suzanne Collins' popular novel, is a very mild satire of a few of today's social issues. The few things sarcastically lampooned in the film are reality television, the class system and perhaps even sports-rigging. The two different sects of the Panem society (that's what North America is called in this future) are clearly in contrast to each other. While the elite wear weird apparel painted with ridiculous patterns and combinations of color, the other's wear dull and boring clothes. What shows class differences better than fashion?
The film has a plot that might sound silly, but it fortunately isn't depicted in a naive manner. Every year, from each of the 12 districts of Panem, a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected to compete in an event known as the Hunger Games. Twenty four of them will participate, twenty three will die and the survivor is the victor.
The lead character in the film is Katniss Everdeen, played by the pretty Jennifer Lawrence, who gives a commendable performance. If what Suzanne Collins depicted in her book (I haven't read it) was a strong-willed, courageous girl, then the casting has been perfect. Stanley Tucci gives another one of his admirable yet unimportant performances like in 'Easy A' and 'Julie & Julia'.
It is an interesting thing that Jennifer Lawrence's character in this film is similar to Ree Dolly, the role she played in the 2010 thriller 'Winter's Bone': a responsible and caring daughter/sister.
I observed that some people felt the film was too similar to the 2000 Japanese action flick 'Battle Royale'. I honestly don't think that film was about an oppressive government or a civilian uprising (which, most probably,are what the next two movies will be about).
I'm already excited about 'Catching Fire', mainly because the sequel will center around the consequences of the events in this film. I also hope this franchise doesn't lose its sheen like Twilight or The Chronicles of Narnia.