The Hunger Games (2012)

I can’t belief I have never wrote a review about this film. It is at the end of the day one of my favourites. When I was rewatching it again I decided to finally write a review for you guys.

What is the story about?
In the ruins of what used to be Nord-America. A new world has taken over, Panam. The country consists of a wealthy Capitol city, located in the mountains surrounded by twelve (originally thirteen) poorer districts ruled by the Capitol. The Capitol is lavishly rich and technologically advanced, but the districts are in varying states of poverty. Every year each district brings forth a boy and a girl between the ages of 13 and 18. These 24 players get set into an arena where they fight to the dead. Until one remains. This victor will live a life of wealth, and fame.

The Trailer

If the video doesn’t work, click here.
What did I think?
The start of the film is quit lengthy which is necessary to set it up. I really liked that, I have heard from other people I know that they found it to be too long. It really depends on the type of films you usually watch. It’s a mix between action and a young adult/romantic film. I think Jennifer Lawrence captured Katniss very well. The way she is in the book with her feelings towards her mum, her sister, Gale and her growing feelings for Peeta. Are captured so nicely.

Peeta is portrayed just how I imagined. Smart and a very sweet, caring individual. I think that the cast was very strong in this film. Like I said the set up was long but it made you really understand the difference between the districts and the way the districts few the capital and each other. It also gave you time to really invest in the characters and be genuinely sad and upset when they start the fight.

I liked the fighting it had a lot of action without it being gruesome. I rooted for Katniss and Peeta from the very beginning. The game also had a lot of ‘I can kill this person but I won’t’ and a mercy kill at the very end. Which was quite nice to have that in there. I loved the fact that they kept switching back to the capitol and the districts. Therefore, you couldn’t forget that it was a television show.

Besides that, it also showed what humans will do to survive, from killing to falling in love. The fact that the end also had the aftermath of the show. How they needed to keep the ‘lie’ up, how it affected not only them but the people around them. And last but not least how hope is the only thing stronger than fear.

Book or film?

I love the books quite a bit more than the movie however I do feel like the film had captured the essence of the book so well. I generally prefer books so for me this is an easy choice. No matter what though the film is very nice.

Other thoughts
I love this film and would recommend it. It’s a film for everyone 12 years and up. It shows a world that. It had a proper ending on its own. Which I like. The story has a female lead which is good for especially younger girls to see. That we girls can change the world is a great lesson to learn.

Lots of love,
Melissa