Killing for future luxury.

Rating: 9/10 (31 March 2012)

THE HUNGER GAMES is based on the first of a trilogy of novels from the pen of Suzanne Collins. In a futuristic nation-presumably the former United States-is divided into twelve districts. They are fenced and many miles apart. Some of the districts are affluent, while some offer a very minimal existence...akin to the former Appalachian area. The totalitarian government boldly holds a lottery every year to select two children, a boy and girl, from each district that will participate in a televised killing ritual to humble those that don't already reap rewards from the government that has unbridled power. To the survivor of the Hunger Games comes fame, wealth and luxury for their family. A young Primrose Everdeen(Willow Shields)is chosen as one of the 24 "Tributes" and unprecedentedly, teenage Katniss(Jennifer Lawrence)volunteers to take her sister's place. Katniss will have a mentor Haymitch(Woody Harrelson)to prepare her for the grim and deadly games. Himself a former champion of the Games trains Katniss in drunken disgust for the whole affair. Due to living in the poorer of the districts, she is already more than efficient with a bow and arrow. There is a majestic-like pregame program letting the masses get a better look at the participants they will be forced by the government to watch and root for. The Games are monitored by many specially placed cameras. The actual killings are usually brief and most off camera. To make things interesting the government will keep changing some of the rules as the Hunger Games are in process. Katniss will also be publicly forced into a romance with her district player Peeta(Josh Hutcherson). Meanwhile her real boyfriend(Liam Hemsworth)will be forced to watch. This movie runs over two hours and will spark interest in the Collins novels...and of course the sequels practically guaranteed to come to the silver screen. Other notables in the cast: Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Elizabeth Banks and Lenny Kravitz.