Review of The Hunger Games (2012) by Jon A — 19 Jul 2014

This is a very successful adaptation of an excellent book, even though I believe much is lost in the move away from seeing things through the protoganoist's eyes. Its biggest success came, I think, through its carnivalesque depiction of the super-clean, super-rich citizens of Panem, a capital of colour, in comparison to the literally dirt poor citizens of the far away districts, from whom the competitors come for the high-tech brutal Hunger Games entertainment.

An impressive cast but it was Stanly Tucci who was my highlight in his cartoonish presentation of the games host. The unsteady camerawork is distracting during the fight scenes but I imagine this is to blur the images of what is effectively children murdering children.