The Hunger Games (2012) PG-13

The Hunger Games trilogy is underway, and director Gary Ross (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit) has put together a faithful adaptation of a beloved young adult novel by Suzanne Collins. Collins also co-wrote the script, which was a serious plus. One might think she wouldn't of allowed a film to be made without her consent and involvement. Seasoned scribe Billy Ray (State of Play, Breach) also worked on the script.

The books are marvelous, entertaining and unforgettable. A lot of people were quite skeptical about a Hunger Games film from the beginning. Kids killing each other in an arena isn't exactly fun for the whole family. However, Ross' film is tastefully done and never quite seems as brutal as it probably should be; thanks in part to the film's star, Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone, X-Men: First Class). A star was born in 2010 with her tremendous performance in Winter's Bone, which undoubtedly helped her earn the much desired role of Katniss Everdeen.

One of the real pleasant surprises throughout the film was the unanticipated terrific acting from the entire cast. Lawrence definitely got the support she needed from her fellow actors and actresses. And while this film does have a few minor errors and soft spots, they're all forgotten by the films end. I, for one, found the ending way too conventional, but I won't get into that right now.

You have to suspend your belief a little bit, because Lawrence's Everdeen is supposed to be 16 years old. But I knew that going in. It was an extremely difficult role to cast, because of the death that surrounds it. As much as I like Chloe Moretz, who was rumored to play Everdeen, I just can't see her dominating this role. If you haven't read the book(s) then you may find this review, and the film for that matter, hard to follow at times but bare with me.

In the not-so-distant near future, the United States is called Panem. After a great war the country has been separated into 13 districts. Years later, the districts rebel against its capitol. The capitol seizes back control of Panem and demolishes district 13. Only 12 districts now remain. As a consequence for its rebellion, each year the capitol choices one boy and one girl (between the ages of 12-18) at random from each district to fight to the death in a controlled arena for the Capitol's enjoyment. They call this event the "The Hunger Games." This all sounds quite sick, yet Collins' novel is so eloquently written that it comes off realistic and grounding.

Katniss' family lives in district 12, arguably the weakest of all the districts. Her Father perished in the nearby coal mine years earlier. She lives with her younger sister, Primrose (Willow Shields), and her Mother (Paula Malcomson). Her Mother has never been the same since her husband's death. Primrose is scared because this will be her first "Reaping," which is when they select the children for the Hunger Games. Your odds of being chosen improve as you get older. Prim's odds are extremely small. Katniss' are very good, unfortunately.

Katniss and her best friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth) meet each day in the forbidden woods to hunt for their dinner. While district 12 is poor and low on food and supplies, it's also more laid back and easier to sneak out to hunt. Today is the day of the Reaping. They relax at their favorite spot, look out at the beautiful barren landscape and talk about their odds at being chosen. Gale's odds are certainly not in his favor. There's definitely a little sexual tension between the two teens, but they downplay it because they don't want to ruin their friendship.

It's now time for the Reaping to begin. It's a haunting scene that's certain to hold your attention and fill your body with emotions you're not use to feeling. You can taste the tension as Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), the pink-haired, pale-faced spokesperson from the Capitol pulls two names out of a large glass bowl. Ladies first. She gleefully announces, "Primrose Everdeen," over the intercom. Prim is stunned. Katniss nearly faints. Effie crudely asks that Primrose please step onto the stage with her. Before Prim can make it too far, Katniss screams out, "I volunteer! I volunteer to be this year's tribute." Effie is delighted because no one has ever volunteered in district 12 before. It's more common in district 1 and 2, where kids are bred and trained for the Hunger Games.

Katniss now stands on stage, shocked and speechless. Effie now calls out, "Peeta Mellark!" Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) looks astonished and petrified, but he joins Katniss on stage and they briskly make their exit into the hands of the Capitol.

They're given a few minutes to say their final goodbyes to their loved ones. Katniss gives support to Prim and tells her Mother to be strong. Gale tells her that she can win, which she responds with, "There's 24 of us Gale, and only one of us is coming out." He gives her support, stating that she's steadfast with a bow. Which is the truth, Katniss is deadly accurate with a bow and arrow, which will assuredly come in handy.

Katniss and Peeta now join Effie, as they board a train headed for the Capitol for their training. Their mentor (the person who prepares them for the games) is fashionably late for their scheduled meeting. His name is Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson). Haymitch won the Hunger Games many years earlier, therefore was given a mansion and many riches. He must also train the tributes from district 12 each year, which has led him to become a raging alcoholic. It can't be easy training children to die year after year. No one from district 12 has won since Haymitch's victory.

Haymitch is very rude, but also quite wise. He doesn't get along with anyone, especially Katniss. Effie and Haymitch have been doing this for years; prepping young kids for their death, but they've never liked each other much. Effie is very uptight and organized, while Haymitch is messy and narcissistic.

They eventually arrive at the beautiful Capitol to thousands of cheering fans. They're later cleaned, bathed and clipped for their big introduction on national television. Katniss' designer, Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), treats her like an angel and makes certain everyone will remember Katniss and Peeta.

All the tributes arrive in carriages and are later interviewed by Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci). Caesar is a celebrity at the Capitol. He's a charismatic and ostentatious host who always gets rise out of the audience. Tucci (Easy A, The Lovely Bones) is one of the best supporting actors working today. He's so reliable, understated and more often than not, hilarious.

Katniss and Peeta wow the crowds with their get-up, and their interview is capped off with Peeta professing his love for Katniss. Katniss was completely unaware of this proclamation, which upsets her. The next day they train with the other tributes and eventually show off their skills to the judges, who give them numbered grades (1-12, 12 being best). Peeta earns an 8, which is pretty good, but Katniss earns herself an 11. Her 11 is the best among the tributes. She's not the only one who's shocked.

We get to know the head game-maker, Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley), who designs the Hunger Games. We also meet President Snow (Donald Sutherland), the aged dictator seemingly without a soul. Sutherland (MASH, The Italian Job) only has a few small scenes, but they're awfully effective.

The games themselves don't start until about half way through the film, which runs at about 2 hours and 20 minutes. I'm not going to give a single detail about the Hunger Games as to not spoil the fun.

Overall, the acting is above average. Lawrence is very good for the most part, Hemsworth (Triangle, The Last Song) fits his role, Hutcherson (The Kids Are All Right, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island) shows surprisingly good range, Harrelson (The Messenger, Zombieland) provides some good laughs, Banks (The Next Three Days, Role Models) has probably never been better, Kravitz holds his own and Bentley (American Beauty, P2) hasn't been this effective since the terrific American Beauty. There's also a cute, little performance by Amandla Stenberg, as Rue.

The original music by the terrific duo of T-Bone Burnett (Walk the Line, Crazy Heart) and James Newton Howard (The Dark Knight, Michael Clayton) is underwhelming a bit perhaps, but it's certainly not bad. The cinematography by Tom Stern (Gran Torino, Million Dollar Baby) isn't anything spectacular, but gets the overall feel of the book down. While the editing towards the end of the film is muddled a bit, the majority of the film is true to the book.

Whether or not you've read the book is besides the point. This film is simply a must-see. The books are outstanding and this film did them justice, which I didn't think was possible. I, myself, can't wait for Catching Fire (the second book) in 2013/2014. Go see it, folks!
A