The Hunger Games

    Gary Ross, director and co-screenwriter of the Hunger Games has written more movies than he has directed. He directed Pleasantville and Seabiscuit both starring Tobey Maguire and was nominated for Academy Awards. Hunger Games was out of the box for Ross and he wanted to make sure the actors were accurately portrayed in the film and followed the book trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. He did this brilliantly focusing on details each character possessed in the film.  The film presented the written story in an exciting, thrilling way and is expected to reach Twilight status.
    Hunger Games takes place in a futuristic world, Panem, where one boy and one girl is randomly chosen to be sacrificed from the twelve districts. The 24 boys and girls are placed in an arena to fight one another until there is one person left standing.
    Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) from district twelve volunteers as tribute for her sister when her name is called. She is immediately whisked away onto a futuristic train to the Capitol with Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) the chosen boy from her district. In the Capitol the tributes prepare for battle with past victors from their district. When prepared the tributes are forced out into an arena created by the Capitol where a countdown commences. The entire population of districts are forced into their town squares where they must watch their tributes fight to the death. This reminds the districts of their past uprising and how the Capitol cannot be overthrown again.
    In the book Katniss becomes known as the “girl on fire” and Ross greatly displayed this with visually pleasing special effects. Everywhere the tributes turned there was a new disaster heading their way. The most important concise details of the book were well represented throughout the film.
    Lawrence played the role of Katniss exquisitely showing her strength, courage, and sharpness throughout the film. Hutcherson portrayed Peeta in a way no one else could. He was gentle and kind yet constantly determined. Katniss realizes throughout the movie she is not just fighting for herself, she is fighting for Peeta.
    Stanley Tucci did surprisingly well playing Caesar Flickermen. When Tucci first  appeared on screen he looked different from the book’s description of his character. He performed outstandingly portraying Caesar’s eccentric personality and upbeat enthusiasm. He was entertaining to watch and the connections he made with the other actors on screen was very engaging.
    The film ends with a surprising twist where rules of the game are altered. These results lead to the President of Panem realizing his dictatorship may be weakened. Characters are left in confusion wanting to forget what happened and simultaneously remember. It leaves the audience with multiple unanswered questions and terrifying thoughts that such a world could exist.