I remember being in seventh grade and listening to girls geek out over the book series “The Hunger Games” being turned into a movie. The “Twilight” movies phase was over but I was interested in this new film version of Hunger Games. It is the only film I went to see twice in theaters!
“The Hunger Games” book trilogy was a fun and helpful read that made me like reading in seventh grade as I began to be assigned more research projects and presentations. The movie was like no other movie I’d seen before. Seeing how people lived in terrible conditions, watching a mighty police force and witnessing killing as a sport like in ancient Rome on the big screen was invigorating and it gave me a lot to talk about in class.
A fight to the death with the goal to be admired by their oppressors!
A bread-winning teenager has to enter the ring, volunteering to take her younger sister’s place in it all. She has great hunting and survival skills and a best friend to keep her going. Through rigorous training alongside a fellow civilian from her home of District 12, Peeta Mellark, played by actor Josh Hutcherson, and Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, will pray they survive the games. The Hunger Games, which the movie is named after is the event that sees 24 tributes from 12 different districts take on each other and their environment to be the last one standing. These tributes are masters of the resources their districts are responsible for providing.
Such responsibilities and the authority that the Capitol holds is what causes strong tension within the movie. I love the nature aspect of the movie in regards to the resources like coal mining for District 12. The shots at the beginning of the movie show how poor the community is as they had to hunt whatever forest critters they can find. The trading post of trinkets and meat is another excellent shot showcasing how the people survive the neglect from the Capitol. The way that Katniss took care of her mother and younger sister reminded me of how I took care of my mom and grandma at the time. The fantasies of going on adventures with a special girl sound exciting while watching this movie with Katniss and Peeta having to protect each other during the games.
The parts of the movie with Peeta doing camouflage makeup to hide in the river and forest inspired me to make some of my own Halloween costumes like a faceless scarecrow out of a hand-stitched sack mask and string of lights.
“The Hunger Games” has a great mix of romance, action and realism that is worth watching over and over again. Katniss is careful with every action she takes while not knowing how to carry herself in the formal environment she finds herself in. She now represents her district and must stay alive through days and nights trying to outsmart the competition. After all the work she puts into her family she can finally benefit herself in developing a relationship with her partner Peta. Her hospitality and sacrifice for other tributes in the game build my respect and admiration for Katniss. Jennifer Lawerence’s serious attitude towards her role and the other actors’ positions make the movie seem so real and entertaining which is why “The Hunger Games” is my first pick for a movie night!