“The Hunger Games”

4 out of 5 stars

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Action , drama

Virtually every time the world drives off to the cinema to view a beloved best-selling novel or adaptation, people spend most of their time pointing out to themselves all the places the filmmaker went wrong. With “The Hunger Games,” it’s a different story. It’s a pleasure to be able to watch the film and point out all the places the amazingly translated film went right.
Directed by Gary Ross, he brings to life Suzanne Collin’s epic sci-fi survival story by paying very close attention to her beautifully written text. In a futuristic setting, war has struck the society. The rich live in what they call “The Capital” — a flashy, colorful city nestled somewhere in the Rockies. The others live in 12 districts, each representing an environmental region. Every year, one young boy and girl ages of 12 to 18 are chosen by lottery to compete in the annual Hunger Games, a battle to the death.

Katniss Everdeen, portrayed by Academy Award-nominated Jennifer Lawrence, is a brave, headstrong hunter from District 12. She is a master of the bow and arrow, and she uses this skill to save her sister, played by child star Willow Shields. One of the socials from The Capital, Effie Trinket, who is played by Elizabeth Banks, is the escort of the two children who have been drawn to compete in The Hunger Games. Once Effie draws the first name, Katniss is in disbelief because her sister has been chosen. Katniss volunteers for her so she can save her life and her innocence. This is the start of a major journey for the 16-year-old Katniss. The guy who was chosen for the games is a gentleman named Peeta, who is played by teen heartthrob Josh Hutcherson. Along the way, they will be trained and mentored by a previous District 12 Hunger Game victor, Haymitch, who is played by Woody Harrelson.

It’s rewarding to witness a girl who does not have the traditional powers of a superhero but, instead, must rely on the powers of her ability. Katniss is an inspiration for younger women and teenagers. This is a cautionary tale about the concept of big brother is watching you. The government is controlling society, and they have almost no power against it. The history of Panem caused the people to turn on their government, and the president’s response was to create the Hunger Games.

The film’s aesthetics come from the makeup and costumes. However, the film seemed rushed because, for those who want to be true to the story, the characters were not developed enough. Even with those downsides, this film is pure entertainment.

The odds are unquestionably in “The Hunger Games” favor.

Brayden Swathwood is a 15-year-old learner at Niles New Tech Entrepreneurial Academy. He loves to watch movies and reviews the films he watches. Reach Brayden at irontank218@yahoo.com.