The Hunger Games

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The Hunger Games

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The Hunger Games

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks

Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twi... read more read more...sted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives, Katniss is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. -- (C) Lionsgate

Id: 11153337

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The Hunger Games Recent Reviews
  • fb223580
    June 7, 2013
    fb223580
    I'm proud to pronounce "The Hunger Games" another captivating addition to the sparse genre of female-led action movies that are GOOD (thanks for nothing, Barb Wire, Resident Evil, Tomb Raider, Elektra and Colombiana). Brought my little cousin to see this since she had read the b... read moreooks and deserved a reward after the hours of coding I put her through :) Jennifer Lawrence made what could have been a cheesy setting for a movie (the same stilted feel and class hatred as "In Time", for those of you who had the misfortune to watch that movie) feel believable, because she stayed strong and in-character for every minute of this. What a BAMF. I could watch her for hours. Ignoring the physical impossibilities (like a lightweight person remaining standing after taking a spear to the chest??), I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this.
  • fb1378820053
    April 16, 2013
    fb1378820053
    A
  • blkbomb
    April 13, 2013
    blkbomb
    President Snow: Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear.

    "The World Will Be Watching"

    The Hunger Games looks like an accurate representation of societal life in the coming future. It's a more updated 1984 in some regards. This shows a society(ours) that has collapsed and ... read morenow looks completely different. While the average people fight for survival on a daily basis, the top class(government and sellouts), can basically do whatever they want. Included in this is a barbaric cultural show, called "The Hunger Games." In these "Hunger Games", two teenagers between the age of 12-18 are picked from each of the twelve districts that now make up the land. From each district comes one girl and one boy.

    Katniss is a young woman living in the twelfth district. When she goes to the reaping(the ceremony where the tributes are picked), and hears her younger sisters name called; she volunteers to go instead of her sister. The Hunger Games is a sort of government intimidation exercise in which only one of the twenty four tributes walks away alive. Now Katniss will be thrown into an arena where she must fight for her life, while the rest of the world watches on television. 

    This film was a whole lot better than I ever thought it would be. I'll admit to never reading the novels, as I tried to stay away from the books that teachers were peddling out to us to read throughout schooling. All I knew coming into the film was a rough synopsis of the events that were about to unfold and I believe that my lack of knowledge may have benefited me. 

    While I can't say anything along the lines of how good this is adaption wise, I'm pretty certain that it was a good one from the overwhelming approval for the film. For me not reading the book, the movie came across as engrossing and thoroughly intriguing and entertaining. Jennifer Lawrence is quickly becoming one of the best young actresses around also, so her presence does nothing but elevate the film even further. 
  • cosmo313
    January 9, 2013
    cosmo313
    In the distant, dystopic future, the ruins of what was once North America has coalesced into a nation known as Panem. The totalitarian government of the opulent Capitol District rules over the over twelve, less glamorous districts. As punishment for an uprising years earlier, the... read more Capitol forces each district to submit, as tribute, two youths (one of each gender) between ages 12-18 to compete in an annual televised competition called the Hunger Games wherein each 'tribute' must battle one another to the death until only one remains.

    The story primarily follows the exploits of Katniss Everdeen, the 16 year-old female from District 12 who volunteered in place of her younger sister as well as that of her fellow District 12 tribute Peeta, who has harbored a longstanding, though secret crush on her.

    Many people went nuts for this due to similarities with Battle Royale. Well, it also has similarities to The Running Man among other things, but so what? I see this as less of a rip off and more like just another variation on a theme. It's got a lot to offer, too: thrilling survival story, social and political satire/commentary, and an unnerving concept.

    Ad for the most part, this is all pretty successful. I never read the book, but it seemed like it was probably a decently faithful adaptation for the most part, though I'll admit I got the idea that a lot of things had to be glossed over or changed, such is the nature of adaptations. I can't say if that's totally a good thing, since I have no frame of reference, but once in a while the film did come off as lacking as a result, even though I ultimately got the gist of it all quite well.

    The main thing that sticks out as far as changes is the violence. As a necessity of the PG-13 rating, the film does tone a lot of it down, with tons of quick edits, and lots of shaky cam, and only occasional spurts of blood from the more vicious moments. I'm a beliver that yes, sometimes less is more, but I think they probably could have gotten away with not downplaying the rougher stuff as much. I mostly take issue with the manner they go about censoring it. The shaky cam gets really distracting at times, but it's not just used during the action scenes. It's used for like at least 70% of the running time, which is a real problem given that it lasts 142 minutes.

    It's really unnecessary for it to be there so much. I think director Gary Ross was just nervous about what he could get away with, and took the weaker way out, and that's a shame. It would have been far more effective with the camera staying still more often, letting the audience better focus on the bleakness of things.

    Jennifer Lawrence scores another hit as Katniss, and this is further proof of her talents. Josh Hutcherson is kinda weak (acting wise) as Peeta, though I do like how they gender flip the damsel in distress situation. There's lots of notable names in the supporting cast such as an icy Donald Sutherland as President Snow, Wes Bentley (complete with cool beard) as the gamer runner, an outstanding Woody Harrelson as the only Hunger Games winner (turned alkie and mentor) from District 12, and the delightfully campy efforts from Stanley Tucci and, especially Elizabeth Banks.

    Shakiness aside, the film does have a nice look (when it isn't so fidgety), the story and world building are compelling, the situation is neat, and the music is quite decent, too. All in all, this is overrated, but still pretty enjoyable. Give it a try.
  • axadntpron
    December 21, 2012
    axadntpron
    Even though I am late to the party, it is better late than never. Having read the book and feeling rather lukewarm about it, I wasn't going to fight the crowds at the cinemas in order to see a big screen adaptation of a story that I wasn't all that enthused about. However, in the... read more comfort of my own living room and with my expectations still hovering around moderate to low, I have to admit that this movie took me a bit by surprise.

    Right from the very beginning, Ross' direction is taut. Smartly keeping the attention of a generation of YouTubers with quick cuts, while simultaneously acquainting the viewer with the emotional core of the film; Katniss and those of District 12. The reaping scene in particular is honestly astounding. One of the better sequences that I have seen from a film in 2012. The agony of silence haunts every frame, and even though we know that Katniss will somehow be drawn into these games, Ross still manages to generate a palpable tension by cutting from the faces of the those who are doomed to compete in these games, with close ups of the hands and the mouths, the instruments of terror, of those orchestrating the events.

    The momentum began to wane in the second act however. The action sequences are well crafted, but cannot keep afloat what is dragged under water by a mediocre script. I also was unimpressed by Lawrence. I think she is a terrific actor, but I would not point to this film if I was trying to make a case for her.

    Overall, the film succeeded in pointing me to Gary Ross' IMDB page in order to check out his other work. Unfortunately, it did little more than that.
  • romy861
    October 13, 2012
    romy861
    Didn't actually expect to like this one. Was pleasantly surprised. Horrible storyline about poor kids and teens being forced to battle to the death for the entertainment of rich people, but makes for enthralling viewing.
    Beautifully filmed and Jennifer Lawrence is fantastic. De... read morefinitely have to check out the next films and probably the books too.
  • Deano78
    October 9, 2012
    Deano78
    I haven't read the book so I can't compare to that. It's a well made film with a big production and talented cast. Tiny bit surprised at being a 12a rating, it's basically teenagers fighting to the death by killing each other off! Also a theme similar to many films, Running Man, ... read moreBattle Royal, The Condemned. So not that original but decent enough to check it out.
  • stuartb1234
    October 7, 2012
    stuartb1234
    Boring "Teen" friendly mix of Battle Royale, The Running Man and Lord of the Flies. If this and Twilight is what people are reading then there is fuck all hope for any of us. Fucking shite!
  • Crashinkov
    September 15, 2012
    Crashinkov
    I've heard so much about this movie, that I was having really huge expectations. but let's just say it wasn't reached the halfway to my expectations
  • allan913
    August 30, 2012
    allan913
    A mind-blowing and adrenaline-pumping thrill-machine. The first chapter to a promising, dynamic and thrilling franchise. A real triumph. A spectacular and unforgettable action-packed adventure. It`s bold, fiercly epic and utterly breathtaking. An outstanding vision of he future w... read morehere todays youth are pushed to the test and forced to do unthinkable things. Director, Gary Ross crafts a swiftly paced, creative and tough adaptation of the classic novel. An intstant classic that will blow you away and knock you out. A powerfully entertaining and wickedly thrilling ride. It`s stunning, well-crafted and brilliantly performend. The characters are well developed and the stars shine in the roles. It`s young breakout stars, Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson give strong and great performances. Lawrence plays Katniss with a strength and emotional vulnerability that makes her worthy of movie star status. Woody Harrelson is excellent. Stanley Tucci is terrific. Elisabeth Banks is wonderful. Lenny Kravitz gives a great performance. Over two hours of well-crisp entertainment with great characters, in depth story, and smart, sharp and furious action sequences.
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