Four out of four stars
By Hannah Lutz, Staff Writer
“May the odds be ever in your favor.”
This phrase has spread across the globe within a week as a result of “The Hunger Games,” a new film released Friday based on the trilogy by Suzanne Collins.
The film adaptation of the first novel brought in $214 million globally in its opening weekend, beating the “Twilight Saga” movies and every non-sequel ever with the third-biggest opening weekend of all time.
The book and film appeal to audiences ranging from pre-teen to adult.
Every year, the government of Panem, a post-apocalyptic North America, holds a competition called “The Hunger Games.” Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is the main character.
In the contest, 24 youth (a boy and girl from each of the nation’s 12 districts) fight to the death in an attempt to become the one lone survivor.
When Katniss volunteers in place of Primrose, her younger sister, to go into the arena, she is determined to leave alive.
Not only is the book full of adventure but also contains a complex love story.
In the midst of this gruesome battle, Katniss struggles with her possible romantic feelings for Peeta, the other tribute from her district, an unlikely friendship with another competitor and her homesickness for her sister and best friend.
The Capitol is full of citizens who do not have children in the games.
The highlight of their lives is watching “The Hunger Games” on television.
The idea of making children fight to the death for the satisfaction of others to watch it on television is horrifying. Collins’ descriptions seem as if the nation of Panem could exist one day.
In the book, each turn of the page holds a new, life-threatening and exciting thrill. Another strength is its detail. Collins puts the reader into the arena to feel as if they, too, are fighting to stay alive.
The film followed the book closely, although a few changes are in place for the sake of fitting the contents of a novel into 144 minutes onscreen.
The film lived up the book in many ways, especially in how its use of costumes perfectly portrayed the citizens in the Capitol. The cast could not have been more right on.
Stanley Tucci plays Caesar Flickerman, the lively games host, and Josh Hutcherson acts as the loving Peeta.
With romance, action, some comedy and drama, this film has something for everyone. Due to its thought-provoking ideas of governmental control and rebellion within a nation, “The Hunger Games” is not just for screaming teenage girls.
If you are a film buff, this film is for you because the film angles, lighting and symbols are fantastic.
This story has a unique plot and is full of twists, betrayal and suspense.
The next book of the trilogy to become a film is “Catching Fire” and will be released Nov. 22, 2013.
