I decided to watch Gary Ross's "The Hunger Games" from 2012 this past week because of the hype and anticipation surrounding the release of its sequel, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" at the end of November. I haven't read the series of novels upon which the films are based but I was won over by the film's vision of a dystopian future and the excitement of the story.
This first film of a trilogy depicts a time in the distant future when two individuals from varying sectors of a seemingly North American population are selected to participate in the annual "Hunger Games", a frightening, violent, survival-of-the-fittest competition in which the participants must do everything in their power to survive until the end in an outdoor, forest environment. There are different hazards and dangerous elements that test each of the competitors survival instincts while they struggle to avoid being killed by the other participants.
The film stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen who volunteers for the competition after her younger sister is initially selected. She takes her place in a brave attempt to spare her sister's life in a competition in which the odds of surviving are heavily stacked against you.
Because there are sequels which also star Lawrence, it wouldn't be much of a spoiler to reveal that Katniss ends up the winner at the end of this film. Still, there are surprises and the manner she goes about winning are worth watching and quite exciting.
There is commentary on the spectator society of our current world and much of this futuristic society can be seen as a critique of our own, current blood-thirsty, voyeuristic culture. There are similarities between the Hunger Games show in this world and current reality-based television programming such as Survivor and Big Brother. The art direction and vision of the future that the film presents is mesmerizing and spectacular.
The film is really carried on the shoulder's of its stars, mainly Lawrence, who's performance is charismatic and impressive. There are also welcome appearances by Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland and Wes Bentley. Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mallark does a good job in the role of Katniss's fellow hometown competitor and possible love interest.
I look forward to seeing the sequel to this film. This film though not the greatest of its year is an action-packed, kinetic, and visceral experience that says a lot about reality television, what society does for entertainment, and survival instincts.
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