Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Gary Ross, Roadshow Entertainment, MA, 142 Minutes.
‘Seabiscuit’ writer/ director Gary Ross has adapted Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel to the big screen with a focus on the survival of its main character, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence – ‘Serena’), when she is forced to participate in a deadly gladiatorial type game.
Ross pulls no punches in his somewhat disturbing production, having set his story in a dystopian future where a totalitarian nation is led by the autocratic President Snow (Donald Sutherland – ‘Mash’).
It is within this society Snow has decreed that each year, two young people, a boy and a girl, between the ages of 12 and 18 from each of the 12 Districts must submit to the annual Hunger Games.
In accordance with the custom, the 24 chosen ‘Tributes’ must then fight and kill each other in bloody combat until there is only one victor; a contest the rest of the population must watch live on televised screens and which is hosted by the celebrated Caesar (Stanley Tucci – ‘Spotlight’).
As the movie opens it is 16 year old Katniss (replacing her younger sister) and the young boy Peeta (Josh Hutcherson – ‘Red Dawn’) who are the first chosen to represent their poor District 12.
They are then transported to the lavish Capitol of Panem where along with the other 22 representatives are treated to a Roman-style ovation by its citizens.
To prepare for their battle with the other competitor’s Katniss and Peeta are given combat training and guidance by specialised counsellor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson – ‘2012’) before being released into a forest setting to commence their participation in the programmed blood-sport.
Despite the games’ overall brutality ‘The Hunger Games’ is still an entertaining sci-fi action-adventure with many enjoyable scenes including Katniss’ demonstration of her survival skills and protection of Peeta which provides a brief romantic interlude from the killing spree.
Apart from the surreal storyline the major highlight is Lawrence’s perfectly-pitched portrayal of Collins’ heroine character which is complimented by the performances from Harrelson, Hutcherson, Sutherland, Tucci and Elizabeth Banks-with Aussie actor Liam Hemsworth playing only a minor part.
Following this origin story fans will be pleased to know that all the major characters will return in the sequel ‘The Hunger Games-Catching Fire’ the second in the popular four-part franchise
The Hunger Games is to be televised on 9GO at 9.05pm on Saturday 26 June.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
