R W
Posts: 271
Joined: 23/6/2006
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One of the best aspects that science-fiction can do, is to be a satire of a current worldwide issue, as a way of talking about the present, rather than the future. As Stephen King has shown us in his Richard Bachman-authored The Running Man, the killing of others can be gold for televised entertainment. This very premise has been reflected upon later works, including the much-hyped adaptation of Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games, which has been advertised as the next Twilight. Whilst it does attract a similar core audience, the comparison to Stephenie Meyer's vampiric series is highly inaccurate. In the dystopian futuristic nation of Panem, the Capitol selects a boy and girl from each of its twelve districts to fight to the death on live television. On the 74th Hunger Games, the participants from District 12 are Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) who volunteers to save her younger sister's life, and the baker's son Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Twenty-four tributes are against each other, but who shall be the victor? Since the book's publication, many have compared it to the Japanese cult classic Battle Royale, which was about a class of students being forced to kill each other, as a way for the parents to control their children. Although Kinji Fukasaku's film has a more sadistic tone to satisfy horror fans, The Hunger Games is directed towards young adults, with its roots in sci-fi and yet primarily focusing on its young contestants who are fighting one another. Like the book (of which its author has co-adapted), the story is told in a first-person narrative through Katniss as we witness the world through her eyes, and yet there are additional sequences to expand the screen-time of subsequent characters, mostly on the villain front. Prior to the film's release, there was speculation about how faithful the film will be towards the book's tone, in terms of its graphic content. Although the BBFC has cut or substitute seven seconds of film in order gain a 12A rating, the film indeed has its unsettling moments as once the Games start, the characters will show no remorse and blood will be shed. For fans of the book, the most moving sequence involving Katniss and Rue (sweetly played by Amandla Stenberg) is perfectly played here. Despite the spectacular futuristic architecture of Panem, consisting of the most ridiculously-looking citizens dressed in vivid colours, director Gary Ross grounds the movie in such a very realistic fashion, that it almost feels an art film. Although Ross doesn't quite have the chops of being an action director, as well as overplaying the "shaky-cam" effect, it is a great device when it comes to the death scenes and does indeed support the grittiness of Katniss' hellish journey. Years after her breakthrough performance in the Sundance hit Winter's Bone, one can say that Jennifer Lawrence here is playing Ree Dolly 2.0. Lawrence is the heart of the film as she ain't no damsel in distress but as a strong female heroine against a tough challenge. Heroines don't have to wear skintight clothing or indeed show cleavage to indicate their strength (*ahem* Sucker Punch). As for the two male leads, there isn't much time to fully establish Liam Hemsworth as Katniss's best friend Gale, while Josh Hutcherson is trying his best as Peeta, which is a difficult role because you're wondering if he's mischievous or sympathetic. As for the supporting characters who are based at the Capitol, actors like Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks are in full make-up and clearly having fun in their comic turns; even Lenny Kravitz is convincing as Katniss' stylist with a heart of gold. Although Stanley Tucci and Toby Jones who play the Games comic commentators do indeed play it straight, but they do interfere with the intensity of the story. Whilst it's not the masterpiece to rival with Battle Royale, fans of Suzanne Collins' novel will not be disappointed with Gary Ross' thrilling and terrifying adaptation. Happy Hunger Games and roll on the next instalment: Catching Fire!
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