The Hunger Games (2012)

Book adaptations have become the norm, now the latest film, The Hunger Games, has spawned a movie franchise, with future instalments coming (Catching Fire comes out Friday).

With the adaptation of Suzanne Collins first book director Gary Ross brings the story surging to the screen. What I loved most about this adaptation was the added background that Katniss did not bare witness to, like a scene at the start of the film were the game maker is being interviewed about what the games mean to him. The film offers up some excellent action entertainment and it's just exhilarating how Gary shot this. I loved how Paul Greengrass shot the last two bourne movies with his shaky cam, I felt it gave the film (and this one) a sense of realism. Besides, David Yates used the same technic in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows and no one batted an eyelash. 

However, the visual effects here and some of the production designs are lacking some. The creatures seen at the end of the games are by far the cheesiest effects ever, not to mention the train they ride in looks very noticeable like CG. The capitol is by far the best visual effect in the film. Gary and his visual effects team is able to capture the elegance and splendour of the capitol, using a mix of rome and greek (maybe a little egyptian architecture in there) and some visual references to Washington state. 

The best thing about the Hunger Games is its cast. Jennifer Lawrence (a relative unknown) nails the role of Katniss. Yes, she is not starving looking but who would be or should be. This is a movie folks, why don't you try filming a story about people who are starving and then have to fight, see how that goes. Jennifer adds such a strong feminine attitude to the character that you really route for her in this.

The cast is filled out very nicely, Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson play boys Gale and Peta (Yes, it's Peta not Peter, and no it does not stand for People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) but it could really mean that. Peta is a baker's boy who has a mean swing, seriously he can throw a huge anvil and not even break a sweat. Who is this boy? Hercules? Josh does a good job at giving portraying Peta as one who is in love and fighting for a chance to show her (Katniss) how much she means to him. Liam's role is short but for the length he is on screen, he's good as the character and really chews on his scenes. 

Isabelle (The Orphan) gives her best creepy scene

The cast is rounded out by Donald Sutherland (who plays the President), Elizabeth Banks (who plays the bizarrely charismatic Effie Trinket), Woody Harrelson (Katnis's coach), Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley. Isabelle Fuhrman of The Orphan is so terrific in this. She just kicks ass (she was originally up for the role of Katniss) but her role in this is still just as good. She is fabulous along with everyone of the cast, Donald is cold as ice, Banks is so unrecognizable, Woody is also so impressive, Wes is solid, Stanley is such a laugh riot. Also Lenny Kravtiz (the singer) plays the part of Katniss's costume
designer, he is surprisingly awesome and perfect for the part! Tobey Jones makes an excellent appearance as Stanley's right hand man. 

James Newton Howard provides the score. He is such a great composer and he crafts such a unique score that feels very set in the film's time zone and sounds very naturalistic based. I loved it. The music also for the film is very country but it works for the movie and is also enjoyable. Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift and Abraham's Daughter are my favourites.

With the sequel coming this friday I am truly excited about it. Sadly, Gary Ross jumped ship on the follow-up so they replaced him with I am Legend director Francis Lawrence. The shooting of the film will be different. I know that Gary had a reason for shooting the way he shot and Francis I think is going for more of a slicker look, sadly. I have seen trailers and it does look like he has kept the look the same. I do believe that the shaky cam is gone. But while Gary Ross added that aspect to make the film realistic and not a product of Hollywood, audience members seem to hate this camera style. So yes, to all you haters the shaky cam is gone. 

Bottom Line: Jennifer Lawrence makes the movie, and she's one of the reasons this film is so good. Why did the twilight movies suck so much, cause the lead was weak (sorry Kirsten). 

The Hunger Games is a solid 5 out of 5 from me.