Review of The Hunger Games (2012) by J K — 16 May 2014

I finally got down to watching the first two Hunger Games films after reading the novels and I must admit I came away surprised how well they were made. The first film in the series paints a realistic post-apocalyptic view of what the U.

S./North America could turn into some day: a totalitarian dictatorship bent on hegemonic control, right down to deciding which children live and die (cough, cough, present-day China). If you're Chinese and you find this offensive, the truth hurts.

Anyway, the only major knock I have on this film is Jennifer Lawrence looks more like a 30-year old than a 16-year old Katniss. However, I am sure finding a 16-year old actress with the acting talents of Lawrence was near impossible and my gripe is more petty and might rub people the wrong way as a petty complaint.

But if you read my reviews you know I don't give a rat's ass what anyone thinks. Don't get me wrong. J-Law is the most talented young actress to come along in more than a decade and I have put great hope in her for the future that the art of acting is not dying with the present generation of young actors and actresses.

At least not yet anyway. Lawrence's turn as Katniss is what carries this movie more than the special effects, story/script and supporting cast. Director Gary Ross does a superb job with great storytelling, action that was fun but not typical summer popcorn film over the top action, great special effects and most importantly, loyalty to the novels.

Haymitch (played by the brilliant Woody Harrelson) was precisely how I envisioned and President Snow (delightfully played by Donald Sutherland) was dead on. Notice the Nazi/Roman correlations with the chariots and Nazi-esque propaganda machine.

Julius Caesar and Josef Goebbels would've been proud. Does that offend you? If so, bite me. This is art, it's supposed to offend you or make you think. Great cinema and leaves you excited for the next installment.