Movie Review - "The Hunger Games" (2012) ****

     If you're looking for the hot, new thing going these days, look no further than The Hunger Games. You probably can't turn on a tv, walk in a store, or be anywhere near a teenager without hearing or seeing something about The Hunger Games.  Usually these fads are not worth the attention they are getting but I feel this one is an exception. I have to admit...I have bought into the hysteria. I first became familiar with this franchise about a year or so ago when I heard a few people here and there talking about the books and how good they were. I didn't even know what they were about at the time, but it stuck in the back of my head and later on I started reading articles in Entertainment Weekly magazine about a movie version coming out. It was here that I learned what the story was and I became intrigued. In preparation for the movie being released, I decided to pick up the first book and give it a shot. I was hooked into the story early on by the time I reached the second half of the book, I couldn't put it down. The books are a trilogy of stories by author Suzanne Collins, and I proceeded to polish off the second book, "Catching Fire", and am currently working on the final book, "Mockingjay". After seeing the film, I believe they were pretty faithful to the book and I highly anticipate the next entries into the series.

     For those not in the know, The Hunger Games tells the story of a North America that is not as we know it today. The nation of Panem is led by a Capitol that rules 12 unique districts. As a form of punishment to the districts, resulting from a failed uprising by a 13th district that once existed, the Capitol forces each district to offer up one female and one male, between the ages of 12 and 19, who are forced into an arena where they must fight to the death until only one tribute remains. This child is declared winner of the Hunger Games and is treated to a lifetime of royalty and riches for their family. When young, 12-year old Primrose Everdeen is selected as the female contestant from District 12, her older sister Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) fears for her sister and volunteers to take her place in the arena. She is joined by Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), the male tribute who has had a past encounter with Katniss. The two are escorted to the Capitol by Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) and their mentor, Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), who is the only previous winner from the 12th district.

     Haymitch is an alcoholic who does not accept his role as mentor initially, but he sees talent in Katniss and Peeta and feels for the first time in many years that they can produce a winner of the games. Since the games are a nationally televised extravaganza, the contestants are dressed up and primped for numerous television appearances before they take part in the games. Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) is the stylist who is assigned to Katniss and the two form a friendship right away as Cinna shows that he truly cares for her. His creations for Katniss are crowd-pleasers and soon she is a fan favorite, known as The Girl on Fire. During the buildup to the games, Katniss and Peeta become attracted somewhat and they realize that a blossoming relationship could earn them favors in the games. Katniss is torn by this as back home there is a young man named Gale (Liam Hemsworth) who is her closest friend, that she obviously has feelings for. Katniss and Peeta are eventually thrown into the bloody massacre of the games and they must make decisions that will test their relationship, survival insticts and their humanity in a inhumane situation.

     I really enjoyed The Hunger Games, but as is almost the case in any situation like this, the book is obviously deeper and a bit better. Books have the time to develop characters fully and get inside their heads, and that's difficult to do in the time constraints of a film. However, if you never decide to read the books, I think you will still enjoy the movie. Jennifer Lawrence is wonderful as our heroine. In 2010, I thought she gave the best performance of the year in the little-seen Best Picture nominee, Winter's Bone. I see a lot of that same character in Katniss, making this an excellent casting choice. The supporting roles are all effective as well, especially the decision to cast Woody Harrelson as Haymitch. I wasn't picturing someone like Harrelson while reading the novel, but after seeing this, it was a perfect choice. Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland and Wes Bentley are also standouts as various members of the Captiol.

     The movie is directed by Gary Ross who only has a couple of previous directing credits prior to this but they were good ones; Seabiscuit and Pleasantville. He is also a writer on the film along with the stories author, Suzanne Collins, as well as Billy Ray. As of this writing, the film has already grossed over $240 million in under 2 weeks. It has mass appeal and could flirt with the top 10 list of all-time box office returns. Either way, it has fully grasped the pop culture landscape and has made future movie installments a certainty, something that was not for sure a few weeks ago. The Hunger Games is not for everyone, especially if you are susceptible to kids-on-kids violence, although a lot of the action is toned down in the movie to obtain a PG-13 rating. For the most part though, this will be a hit with those who gives it a chance.