May the Odds Be Forever in Your Favor

I had a wonderful weekend and splurged on three movies.  The first  was The Hunger Games which I thoroughly enjoyed.  I am getting into the awful habit of not reading a book upon which a movie is based on.  The trilogy is a hit with young readers.  The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is the first of the trilogy.

It is the story of a nation set in a post-apocalyptic era.  It was once known as the United States, but it has evolved into 12 districts and one Capitol.  Apparently each year for the entertainment of the spoiled citizenry of the Capitol, 24 youngsters (ages 12-18) must fight to the death to remind the nation of the war that led to the new society.  The children are picked at an event called "the Reaping."  Once chosen, the children are whisked off to the capital and trained for this ritual.  The premise seems barbaric...children killing children whilst a beyond spoiled population watches and bets as to who shall be victorious.

The film was directed by Gary Ross and his vision for the film was spectacular.  I'd classify the film as a social science fiction film...no aliens, ufos, monsters.  The film could have gone the uber violent way, but the violence directed towards the children was easy to watch and not gut wrenching.  There is a story to be told and the violent ritual of the Hunger Games comes second.  The idea of televising the games is not new.  We have reality TV today (even though that is scripted) and that no doubt was in the mind of the author of the novel.  The control room in the film could be the place of the future where the director can "script" as the game players try to survive.

The young actors portraying the characters are vibrant, energetic and have a promising career in the entertainment field, notably Jennifer Lawrence (our heroine) Katniss Everdeen and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mullark.  The adults in the cast are seasoned veterans...Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harleson, Stanley Tucci and Lenny Kravitz.  

The novel, as I understand, is told in the 1st person so for a film adaptation there are going to be changes.  Apparently the changes were good ones and the fans approved.  The sequel comes out in November 2013.  I must read the trilogy before then.