Not as good as the book

Rating: 7/10 (1 March 2015)

Gary Ross adapts the first installment of Suzanne Collins' worldwide book phenomenon "The Hunger Games Saga". He delivers a thrilling, brutal and exciting spectacle that will mesmerize viewers, whereas book readers might be disappointed.
In a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided in 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. 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, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson convince in their roles as poor, underfed teenagers that engage in a romantic relationship, although one of them is required to die as there can only be one winner. The Hunger Games catches the authentic atmosphere of the book and holds the viewers' attention, despite its 2.5 hours length, which is partly caused by the numerous plot twists Gary Ross delivers throughout the movie. But the movie is by all means not flawless; it fails at what made the books stand out: Katniss' and Peetas' forced relationship as star-crossed lovers is broached but not carried out to the end. Moreover, the meaning and importance of Katniss' and Peeta's attempted suicide is not shown; the movie ends abruptly and book readers are left with the feeling of being cheated.
Gary Ross delivers a good, thrilling interesting action spectacle that is just that: an action spectacle. He fails in creating the multi-layered story packed with the political and social satire Suzanne Collins created. Therefore the movie would deserve a rating of 7 out of 10 possible points.