Throwback Thursday Review: 'The Hunger Games'

The Hunger Games is the first in the popular Hunger Games film franchise based off of novels of the same name. Given that The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, the final film in the Hunger Games franchise, will be released next week I thought I'd go back and review it's predecessors. This week I'm reviewing The Hunger Games and next week will review The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and if I have time will go back and modify my review on The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part One after rewatching it because it was one of my older reviews that didn't go to in-depth and I will add a Film Assessment to that review. I would like to make it a habit that when I re-watch a film that I reviewed a while back before I added the Film Assessment rating, I will go back and at least add that to the review or possibly modify the score if the film doesn't hold up to repeated viewings. 

'The Hunger Games' Review

Gary Ross does a phenomenal job of weaving the cinematography, costuming, production design and visual effects all together to help visualize this dystopian future described in the young adult novel series. Ross and the design teams also do particularly well juxtaposing the different environments of the bleak, dismal District 12 with the lively, bustling Capitol which is a brilliant piece of social commentary. The Arena is also given it's own atmosphere and I like how the film helps place the audience in the character's eyes as once they enter the arena there is a genuine sense of confusion as it feels as though the audience is thrust into the games. However there is a huge blaring problem as soon as the Games begin there is an extensive overuse of shaky cam. I found this to be quite annoying and really distracting to the film and it's probably my largest issue with The Hunger Games. I'm unsure if the filmmakers were trying to create a sense of confusion but the shaky cam just didn't quite work for me. I believe shaky cam can some times help to elevate a film if used correctly but this is not the case as it's used in almost every scene shot in the arena and there are moments where I wonder if they even had  tripod on set while shooting this film. Despite the annoyance of the shaky cam, several of my favorite moments take place in the arena. I liked seeing the tributes utilize basic survival skills, and one scene between Rue and Katniss is just heartbreaking, I won't dive into spoiler territory though as it's a very impactful moment and I wouldn't want that scene to be ruined for anyone prior to viewing the film. The performances across the board aren't too impressive, but there are a few diamonds in the rough figuratively. The true star is Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, the film's lead, and fits perfectly into the role of the tough yet humble heroine. A majority of the scenes that transferred perfectly from the page to the screen were the scenes that focused on Katniss. In particular, the scene in which Katniss volunteers as tribute to save her sister is very emotionally moving and perfectly encapsulated the moment as it registered in my mind whilst reading the book. Other scenes that featured Katniss that just felt cohesive to the film's narrative with Lawrence's performance and maintaining pinpoint accuracy to the way these events unraveled in the book ranged from the scene where Katniss is being evaluated by the and she chooses to fire an arrow into the viewing area to catch their attention showing just how courageous Katniss is to the simple moment when Katniss is being interviewed by Cesar Flickerman and twirls in her dress to have the skirt become engulfed in small flames that earns her the nickname "The girl on fire".
Josh Hutchinson plays Peeta, the other tribute from District 12 and doesn't really bring anything special to the role but is certainly serviceable as the nice sensitive guy who is one of Katniss' love interests, the other being Liam Hemsworth is very underused in the role of Gale with very little screen time but he also doesn't booster too much acting prowess. One actress I was very impressed with was Amanda Stenberg, the child actress who portrayed Rue, as her character has one of the most pivotal emotional core moments in the entire film and the young actress nails it really "hitting the audience in the feels". The main supporting cast consisting of Stanley Tucci as the flamboyant Cesar Flickerman, Elizabeth Banks as the pretentious Effie Trinket, Woody Harrelson as the laid-back mentor Haymitch, and Lenny Kravitz as Katniss' stylist Cinna. Each of which fit quite well in their respective roles and really bring out the exaggerated characteristics of their characters which helps keep the film more interesting in the dialogue heavy scenes. In regards to villains, Wes Bentley is a very sly and smooth as the Gamemaker, Seneca, who designs the Arena and manipulates the situations inside the Hunger Games and Donald Sutherland has a very malevolent presences as the autocratic ruler of Panem, President Snow. Both actors wear out their villainous roles like a glove adding to the bleak dystopian atmosphere when present. Having read all of the books I can say that the film is very faithful to the source material and has fantastic world building onscreen that helps to place the audience in this dystopian future and feel as though they are truly watching the events of the book occur. Overall, the film is quite entertaining with a stellar lead in Jennifer Lawrence, a solid supporting cast, an intriguing narrative and riveting action despite the annoyance of the shaky cam. In spite of all of these elements that are well crafted together I personally prefer the book. If you have yet to see The Hunger Games I strongly recommend you watch it, especially if you have any interest in the book series.

Film Assessment: C+