The Hunger Games is a post-apocalyptic epic that have been turned into a major motion picture. The premise of this story is that teenagers are pitted against each other to fight to the death in an attempt to pay tribute to the Nation of Panem. This tribute is forced upon its citizens as a punishment for a past uprising and as a way for the current government to keep the population in check.
The setting of this film is in the future. The countries of North America, including the United States have fallen and a new power rules supreme, the Nation of Panem. The stability of the government is fragile, as past memories of the glories of democratic governments still stir in the hearts of the people.
The Hunger Games is an exercise in self sacrifice, ingenuity and determination. The players are teenagers selected from each of the districts within Panem. Most of the selected tributes have trained for the games all of their lives and are ready to sacrifice themselves for a shot at glory and honor. However, this is not the case with the star of this film, Katniss, who has volunteered to take the place of her younger sister.
As the Hunger Games approach, Katniss and the others selected are groomed and packaged to appeal to the population. They are presented as strength, beauty and legacies of the culture. This packaging makes the Hunger Games a national wonder and spectacle, and it is sold as such. This makes the Tributes not only national treasures and icons, but also national products.
To survive the Hunger Games, Katniss must rely on the training and advice given to her by a former winner of the games, who is now a drunk and social recluse. She takes this advice with some intrepidation, as she does not fully trust this man. However, she has no other choice. After the games begin she is forced to make impossible decisions that require her to choose between survival and morality. This is a horrible position to be in, especially when you are still just a teenager.
This film is a brilliant adaptation of the book with the same title. If you are a fan of the book, then you will love the visual depth and sensory splendor offered by the film. Critics say the the movie, although two and a half hours long, can keep on going because you will still stay riveted to your seat engaged in this action adventure film.
To get a sneak peak of what you have to look forward to, take a peek at the Hunger Games theatrical movie poster.
Image courtesy of Rich Anderson on Flickr.
