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10/24/2015

The Hunger Games (2012) - A global, teen-centered sci-fi smash



Jennifer Lawrence dyed her hair dark brown to portray Katniss Everdeen in Gary Ross' The Hunger Games

QUICK REVIEW:

In the future, the US population is held in an iron grip under a rich ruling class with a broadcasted, deadly game between 24 children and young people as the annual highpoint. But this year cool Katniss Everdeen volunteers to spare her little sister, who was drawn out for the competition!

Hunger Games is an adaptation of Suzanne Collins' (Mockinjay (2010)) same-titled 2008 novel, the first in her Hunger Games trilogy. It is adapted by Collins, Billy Ray (Captain Phillips (2013)) and great co-writer/director Gary Ross (Pleasantville (1998)).
The Hunger Games universe lures and amuses with its many goofy elements and stylings of its characters; here's a giant science fiction phenomenon that simply doesn't look very cool!
Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle (2013)), the Cinderella-like darling of the movie business these years, is perfect in the lead, and she possesses a warmth and a strength that is remarkable. Donald Sutherland (Horrible Bosses (2011)) is exciting to watch as President Snow. In other supporting parts, Lenny Kravitz (Precious (2009)), Woody Harrelson (Semi-Pro (2008)), Elizabeth Banks (Magic Mike XXL (2015)), Toby Jones (Berberian Sound Studio (2012)) and Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada (2006)) are good, at times funny, whereas Liam Hemsworth's (Empire State (2013)) contribution is minimal. I also SPOILER wondered why Katniss falls for Josh Hutcherson's (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)) character, who can't do much and even betrays her.
The violent scenes are shot so that it's hard to see what is happening, which is annoying.
The Hunger Games is a piece of sci-fi that isn't so bizarre that one can't see reflections of our own reality in the exciting world conjured up here. A promising start to the franchise.






Watch the trailer for the movie here

Cost: 78 mil. $
Box office: 694.3 mil. $
= Huge hit
[The Hunger Games was one of Lionsgate's biggest projects at the time, and lots of happening actresses tried out the part that went to Lawrence. It was shot on film, (which was deemed most cost-friendly...) in May - September 2011 in North Carolina. Tax breaks helped the costs down by around 8 mil. $. A majorly anticipated youth property, the film arrived with positive reviews to a great response: It took the #1 spot with a 152.5 mil. $ opening weekend in North America and broke the March release record. It held onto the #1 spot for 4 consecutive weekends, the first film to achieve this since Avatar (2009). It grossed 408 mil. $ (58.8 % of the total gross) in North America. The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets for the film were the UK (37.3 mil. $/5.4 %) and Australia (31 mil. $/4.5 %). Hunger Games was banned in Vietnam. With 10.3 mil. DVD and Blurays sold, it was the #1 video release of 2012, and the soundtrack album debuted at Billboard's #1 spot as the first soundtrack to do this since This Is It (2009). The Hunger Games is certified fresh at 84 % with a 7.2 critical average on Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of The Hunger Games?

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