The Hunger Games

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

by Frederick William Springer III

 

The Hunger Games

Release Date:  23 March 2012                                                              Runtime:  142 Minutes              

Review Date:  8 July 2012                                                                     Rating:  5 (of 6)

     Seeing the weirdo hairdos of the elite in the opening scenes, I wondered what I had gotten myself into.  But after the world was established, I quickly found myself immersed in it.

     Whittled away to its core, the story is that of youngsters pitted against each other in a fight to the death.  That is essentially all I knew going in, not having read or heard much else, never having watched the trailer.  So I was surprised when familiar faces started popping up--Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Woody Harrelson.  I immediately discerned Donald Sutherland's voice and was delighted when I learned he was a character as well.

     Set design and wardrobe did a great job transporting us to this society, the disparities between the districts and the Capitol and the almost flamboyant appearance of the upper echelons.

     I haven't read the book upon which this is based but it definitely made me interested in doing so.  On that note, I was happy to see the original author had a hand in the screenplay as well as production.

     The Hunger Games is an entertaining film that I have no hesitation recommending.