Review of The Hunger Games (2012) by Fernando B — 02 Jul 2014

"The Hunger Games" is a promising but somewhat predictable opening chapter to a new franchise, and admittedly, one that opens up room for significant improvement in future installments (and, if the books are anything to go by, almost certainly will).

The film tells the story of Katniss Everdeen, who is chosen to participate in a fight to the death with 23 other teenagers as part of a perverse punishment for a long-quenched revolution.

This premise, while not exactly new, lends itself to some gripping drama and action, but the film, like the book, focuses way too much energy for my liking on the relationship between Katniss and fellow tribute Peeta.

Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, the film also has a large supporting cast, led by Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland and Toby Jones - many of whom have next to nothing to do. There's not enough time to learn who these characters are, and most of the doomed teenagers remain nameless and faceless due to time.

Add to that an overly excessive reliance on shaky cam, and it's easy to tear this film apart. But on the basis of some of the action, the effects, and Lawrence's starmaking turn and easy-to-watch persona, this movie is an enjoyable one.

Still, I'm looking for significant improvement in this franchise as it builds towards a conclusion.