Movie Review: 'Hunger Games' lives up to hype
Submitted by admin on Sun, 03/25/2012 - 12:46pm
The blockbuster film "The Hunger Games," now at the Fandango Galaxy cineplex in Carson City, is an entertaining sci-fi film that has broken box-office records nationwide.
Its chief virtue is the star, Jennifer Lawrence, as Katniss Everdeen, who lives with her widowed mother and younger sister Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields). They are in district 12 of the world government which has replaced all others worldwide following a disastrous world war. Every year the big brother stages The Hunger Games, pitting two from each of the 12 districts to do battle, with the final survivor enjoying wealthy and luxury.
Kat's sister Primrose draws a place in the games her first time out but Kat volunteers to take her place, alongside Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). Kat is an experienced poacher with bow and arrow and seemingly would have an advantage in this kill-or-be-killed story. The two from district 12 are taken to the capital and wined and dined and instructed on how to survive the contest by Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson, who makes an agreeable drunk as mentor).
The games begin with the contestants out on their own in the forest. Some die quickly, some band together for survival. And Kat does a lot of running through the forest (she must have been a track star at some time). Kat largely refrains from killing other contestants except when attacked.
She befriends a black girl from district 11 and after the girl is speared and dies performs a funeral for her in one of the scene which show Kat's humanity. (This is a lovely sequence in which the hand of director Gary Ross is evident; it is touching without being banal).
Needless to say, Kat and Peeta survive and win, ensuring that there will be a continuation of the story in future movies.
This whole satire (lightly) is a send up of the reality shows currently dulling the tube. But it is rescued by superior direction and editing and the the skills of Jennifer Lawrence. She's not a beauty but brings a kind of wholesomeness to the the movie. And beauty does not make a star. She's fine.
Rest of the cast almost matches her, such as Liz Banks as the fairy MC of the games show, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland as the president who is wise and mean.
If you like this one be ready for next year's sequel, already in the works. This is sure to eclipse the "Twilight" teen triumph, which may say something about who goes to the movies.
Altogether an enjoyable film, well directed and entertaining, which is what movies are supposed to be, not like the third-of-a-trillion dollar loser "John Carter." That's still playing if you're interested in dumb sci-fi stuff. Really dumb.
--- Sam Bauman
Cast
• Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
• Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
• Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy
• Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket
• Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
• Lenny Kravitz as Cinna
• Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman
• Donald Sutherland as President Coriolanus Snow
• Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane
• Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields)
• Toby Jones as Claudius Templesmith
• Alexander Ludwig as Cato
• Isabelle Fuhrman as Clove
• Paula Malcomson as Mrs. Everdeen
• Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen
• Jacqueline Emerson as Foxface
• Dayo Okeniyi as Thresh
• Amandla Stenberg as Rue
• Jack Quaid as Marvel
• Leven Rambin as Glimmer
Directed by Gary Ross
Produced by Jon Kilik, Nina Jacobson, Suzanne Collins, Robin Bissell
Screenplay by Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray
Based on The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Music by T-Bone Burnett, James Newton Howard
Cinematography Tom Stern
Editing by Stephen Mirrione, Juliette Welfling
Running time 142 minutes, rated PG-13
