The Hunger Games - Film Review

The Hunger Games - Film Review

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Posted 2012-03-27 by Matt Elliot Taylorfollow

Hunting has always been a favourite pastime for some, but when the stakes are heightened and people become the prey, it just might be a pastime people prefer to forget. The pastime is projected into the future where you hope the odds are forever in your favour in The Hunger Games.

Set sometime in the future, this so-called thriller sees Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteer to take her younger sister's place in the upcoming annual Hunger Games.

This Olympics-meets-Gladiator event - that bears a striking similarity to the persecution of the Christians by The Roman Empire some 2000 years ago – involves a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 being selected from each of the 12 districts to take part in a fight to the death where there can be only one winner.

Katniss' male counterpart from her district is the young and handsome Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) who obviously has feelings for her, so there's the impending romantic element there. Katniss is very skilled and lethal and this is sure to be a trial of her capacity to kill or be killed, as the co-ordinators of the Games (played by such big names as Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley and Donald Sutherland) control and monitor this bloody battle royale as it is broadcast live all over the world.


Essentially the film's story is presented in two easily identifiable and distinctive halves: firstly, Katniss and Peeta progressive but awkward relationship unfolding as they prepare for the Games, and of course the event itself. While the premise itself is a fascinating and deeply sinister one (i.e. hunting people for sport), it is executed poorly in terms of the violence, pace and depth. Virtually none of the supporting characters are explored which sadly wastes much of the talent, presenting a more 'rent-a-star' type exercise. While there is a maintenance of a bleak and uneasy tone throughout, it is mild and underdone, giving way to some great flaws.

The film has an interesting opening, with a prologue that immediately explains the setting, but it sharply descends into mind-numbing and monotonous scenes that make you look at your watch rather than the character's 'emotional' reaction to what is being said. The camerawork is absolutely atrocious and the choppy, distracting editing doesn't do it any favours either. It's so bad in particular at the beginning that it's difficult to even make out who is who, which will be a deal-breaker for some.

This is clearly a film for teenage audiences because it has attractive leads, a one-dimensional story that's not complicated at all and a violent and disturbing premise that's not violent or disturbing at all. There are only two moments in the film where there is actually some sort of tension. At a runtime of over two hours, it is as indulgent as it is boring, with long sequences where there is often nothing happening that is of any value to the plot or characters.


Based on the very successful novel by Suzanne Collins, this is the first in a trilogy so we have two more film adaptations to look forward to. The film's release last week has broken several records and is hugely popular, which probably explains why Hollywood keeps funding these kind of projects.

Overhyped and underdone, The Hunger Games is definitely one to see even if you hate it because at least then you'll be able to engage in conversation, being that it's all anyone's talking about. It's such a shame because the premise – although done before (see Turkey Shoot [1981] for example) – is an interesting one, but if this kind of thing is to be explored it's to be done properly, not a half-cocked, buttered-up and 'Hollywooded' mess.

STAR RATING


#cinema
#movie_reviews
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185949 - 2023-06-16 02:42:23

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