The Suzanne Collins‘ dark dystopian books were released four years ago but I can’t say that I was one of the many people who actually got around to reading them. “The Hunger Games” tells the story of living in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem, where the countries of North America once existed, through the eyes of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen.
Then there’s “The Capitol” (a highly advanced metropolis that holds absolute power over the rest of the nation) where The Hunger Games are an annual event in which one boy and one girl aged from 12 to 18 from each of the 12 districts are handpicked to compete. Only one person can survive.
Hence, bloodbath.
For a person who walked into the cinema without any expectations whatsoever having not picked up any of the books, I’d have to admit that the movie promises nothing less than pure entertainment. It’s captivating, engaging, and a challenge for those with an attention deficit disorder because you’re not allowed to blink or zone out:
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True, it is only but one of the many popular young adult novel series that made it into the silver screens like many others such as the “Twilight” saga and the “Harry Potter” books. But Gary Ross, director of The Hunger Games movie, made his latest directorial venture come through with a big bang with all attention focused on the parallels and parodies of our own reality.
Think “Gladiator” meets “Survivor” meets a little bit of “The Truman Show”. Toss in a little bit of brutality and violence but not enough to put “Saw” to shame, then dot it with the presence of a love triangle and there you have it!
Of course, the movie wouldn’t have been complete without the outstanding cast of Jennifer Lawrence (aka “Mystique” in “X-Men: First Class”), Josh Hutcherson, and the Australian actor Liam Hemsworth.
The movie was released on the 23rd of March 2012 but already it has eaten up box office records as the third best debut in history with USD 155 million. By the looks of how it has effortlessly exceeded most analysts’ highest expectations, it could very well launch a franchise that could challenge the “Twilight” series.
I say, definitely worth catching in the cinema. Check The Hunger Games’ showtimes at your nearest cinema and be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat right till the very end!
(Warning: The movie is about 2 hours and 22 minutes long so make sure you’re comfy!)
For more information, visit their official movie website.
