Movie Review - The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games. Dir. Gary Ross. Author and Screenplay. Suzanne Collins. Lionsgate, 2012. Film.

The United States as we know it no longer exists.  In its place we have the country of Panem, run by rulers that live in the Capitol.  Every year to mark its victory over an ill fated revolution, the Capitol holds the Hunger Games.  Two children from each of the twelve districts, aged 12 - 18, are chosen to fight for their lives in these games.  Only one child per year lives to win the Hunger Games, so 23 children a year die.  The Hunger Games are reviled in every district, but not the Capitol.  There it is treated as reality TV, something to enjoy and look forward to.

Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 with her mother and sister Prim.  Prim is chosen to compete in the games at the age of 12.  In desperation Katniss, who is 16, volunteers to take her place.  Peeta, the baker's son is chosen as the male tribute for district 12.  Peeta and Katniss fight for their lives, and as time goes on the future of Panem.

I am always a little hesitant to watch a movie of a book I have loved so thoroughly.  I am often disappointed, but I am happy to say that I enjoyed every minute of the movie version of The Hunger Games.  While it was not exactly like the book, the movie stayed true to the spirit of the book.  The movie did have some parts that I enjoyed that were not in the book. The scenes that showed the producers adding elements to the forest to terrorize the competitors were great.  It was done in much more detail in the movie than it was in the book.  I eagerly await the next two installments in The Hunger Games trilogy.  I would recommend this book to students 13 and older.  There book is full of violence and themes that I don't think younger children can fully understand.

Enjoy this movie trailer for The Hunger Games.

Listen to Suzanne Collins talk about The Hunger Games.

Suzanne Collins is prominent on the Internet.  Click the links below to learn more about her.

1. Suzanne Collins Website
2. Suzanne Collins biography on Scholastic
3. Suzanne Collins on Twitter

If you liked The Hunger Games, you will enjoy reading the last two books in the trilogy.  Click on the link below each cover to learn more about each book.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

You may also like The Underland Chronicals Suzanne Collins' first series.

After you have finished The Hunger Games series you may like to read more dystopian young adult literature.  Learn more about the following books by clicking the title.

1. The Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddi
2. The Uglies Series by Scott Westerfield