The Hunger Games - Family Friendly Version?

Rating: 7/10 (27 March 2012)

The Hunger Games certainly exceeded my expectations. Advertised heavily with similarities towards Battle Royale which never received an American release with the controversy surrounding the subject after the columbine school shootings. This film takes a far more delicate approach to conveying the violence contained in the film making it more appealing for a larger audience.
The world that Suzanne Collins created in her novel comes together on film like I imagined,with the exception being the Capitols guards look like the stormtroopers from Spaceballs. After getting past that, the stage is set for why the Hunger Games exist and how it is a form of entertainment for the Capitols citizens, and a cruel reminder for the districts past transgressions.
Once the Games begin the film starts to fall apart. Having such little knowledge of tributes killed off early leaves you feeling no emotion. The weapons that are available for the tributes are far too shiny and elegant and lacked the crude nature I had envisioned. An important concept that seemed lost in the film was survival, not just from those who mean you harm, but the environment; Starvation, dehydration and desperation. The psychological aspect of the reality of their situation never really settles upon any tribute. That is where it falls short, and the characters become less believable. Sadly making this film more violent would have created a stronger emotional impact, it lacked pain, both physical and emotional. The games themselves should have made the viewers feel uncomfortable. If the second book is made into a film it will have issues showing why the characters act they way they do in a believable manner.
While I liked this film, I still believe the games themselves could have been better portrayed. This is however difficult with a younger audience as its intended viewer.
7/10