Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Hunger Games [M]


Many years ago, twelve districts rose up and revolted against their nation. Though the revolution was crushed, the districts are still paying penance to this day: every district must offer one female and one male to compete in a game of survival. Out of 24 tributes, there can only be one victor and it is known as the Hunger Games. When her younger sister is selected to compete, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to compete in her place and even though she is a very skilled hunter, all she can to reassure her family is promise that she will try to win. 

Based on the book by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games was a GREAT movie, one that I could easily watch over and over for many reasons. It’s a wonderful and wholly original story about determination, courage, smarts, and what happens when primal human instinct takes over reason. It was both twisted and captivating at the same time and I was really impressed by the cinematic styles used and what they made the film convey and explore. I really did love this movie! 

Many years ago, twelve districts rose up and revolted against their nation. Though the revolution was crushed, the districts are still paying penance to this day: every year, each district must offer one male and one female to compete in a brutal game of survival in which, out of 24 tributes, there can only be one victor. It is called the Hunger Games. When her younger sister Primrose is selected to compete, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to compete in her place and, even though she is a skilled hunter, all she can to reassure her family is promise to try and win. 

Everything about this film was perfect! The balance of action, drama, suspense, romance, and comedy, the deliciously demented but somehow powerfully emotive story, the freakishly fantastic hair, makeup and costume design (congrats everyone who worked on that, that was absolutely amazing), the subtle and haunting soundtrack, the memorable performances, and the interesting way in which it was filmed. 
Director Gary Ross did this film really well: half of it was filmed as a regular film, standstill filming and such, but then the other half, the more violent and action-y half, was filmed almost as a documentary with the camera right in there in the middle of the action. I particularly liked this technique as it gave the film its more sinister and dramatic air, quite clearly conveying the harshness and chaos that happens when primal human fear and instincts take over from reason. It gave the movie a raw edge and I found that just brilliant. 
Special applause must go to the wonderful performance from Jennifer Lawrence who starred as Katniss Everdeen. Jennifer delivered a performance that was brave, stoic, lethal, loving, and glamorous when needed to be. She was a real heroine, a woman that other women would love to be, and her performance really had the audience rooting for her as though we were watching from the Capitol. 
Starring Willow Shields, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Wes Bentley, Woody Harrelson, Josh Hutcherson, Tony Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland, and Stanley Tucci, The Hunger Games was a fantastic film that will definitely be making it into my collection when it’s released on DVD. I’ll have to go out right now and grab a copy of the book, it’s such a fantastic story!

May the odds be ever in your favour

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