Ryan McNeil
It’s easy to think the odds are in one’s favour – option a popular property, write a serviceable screenplay and cast a pretty face. However time and again, what must on paper seem like sure bets manage to fall on their faces in the treatment stage. It could be due to characters not being as strong as they seem, or a property being handled too delicately. With clear focus and careful adaptation though, it is possible to bring the best things about a property to life and not screw it up.
The first big film of 2012 is a case-in-point.
THE HUNGER GAMES takes place in an America that has risen from the ashes of rebellion and renamed itself Panem. To hounour their history and to remind any would-be dissidents, an annual event is held involving the country’s youth. The event is called The Hunger Games. Names of every boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are placed into a lottery, one per district (state). One boy and one girl are chosen as district tributes, and they are brought to an arena in The Capital where they will face other teenaged tributes, and fight to the death.
What’s worse is that the entire nation is forced to watch the events live on television.
In District 12, a young girl named Primrose Everdeen is chosen in her first year of eligibility. In an act of instinctive protectiveness, her older sister Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) pulls her out of harm’s way, and volunteers to be tribute instead. Moments later, a boy she knows only slightly named Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) is selected to join her. The two are handed over to a drunken mentor named Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) and jetted off to The Capital. There they will be groomed, trained, paraded, and ultimately pushed into action.
While Katniss is a hunter back home, she isn’t all that fussed about being in this position. Ever the young rebel, it’s up to her to figure out a way to get back to the family she stood up to protect – and perhaps how to get Peeta back to his as well.
At the heart of THE HUNGER GAMES is a story of quiet rebellion. In one of her earliest moments, we hear Katniss ask Gale “What if nobody watched?” Before she has even done a moment’s worth of training, she is already thinking about how to buck the system…how to avoid playing these reindeer games entirely. Her defiance doesn’t end there though. She plays up a camaraderie with Peeta – running counter to the ‘every man for himself’ nature of the event. And even when finally dropped into the arena, she adopts a quiet rule of self-defence. She opts not to be a killer, even though she knows that’s who she’s here to be.
That’s the sort of rebellion that gets things done. Katniss isn’t the sort of character to chant from a drum circle about being the 99%. She can see that defiance requires calculated action. To truly rage against the machine, actions must be taken that combine the appearance of playing along. This young woman can see that after becoming a part of a system, she can do even more damage by being inside of it. Sure she might have found herself in this position by impulse, but before long all impulses have given way to calculated insurrection.
With that being the focus of the film, I was encouraged to see that the story downplayed most of the romantic angle. The relationship between Katniss and Peeta is told more than it’s shown, which falls in line with the notion that it’s all an act. What’s more, the affect it’s having on Gale back at home is only glimpsed. The story of THE HUNGER GAMES is one that hinges on a strong young woman who is able to think on her feet during a time of great danger. I think to sell such a character as one who would be continually distracted by girlish crushes and mixed emotions does a disservice to the overarching story. Seeing it all underplayed this time out felt more truthful, and more on-point overall.
With the role of Katniss, Jennifer Lawrence is handed a bit of an advantage right off the hop. In many respects, she is playing the same character she did in WINTER’S BONE. Once again she plays a girl protecting her family that finds the strength to venture into the woods after dark. Once again she is able to embody a very real bond with characters younger than she, and once again she is able to find the fortitude to stand up to those that are older. By now, Lawrence is great at selling both nurturing and mature. Where she pulls her punch a little, is in her demeanour early on. More than once, we hear Haymitch refer to her unpolished, perhaps even unlikable character. Lawrence never brings that out in Katniss. She seems intimidated and overwhelmed by the situation in her quieter moments…but never unlikeable. It’s a curious misstep in an otherwise solid performance.
What the direction and adaptation are able to bring out in Lawrence (and the character of Katniss overall), is a haunting stillness. Before she is dropped into the bloodsport – and even after from time to time – Katniss spends a lot of moments by herself. There’s little soundtrack in these instances, giving the scenes a sense of introspection…a continual “What have I got myself into?” These moments of worry and dread feel fitting for a girl who figuratively threw herself on a grenade, and is wrestling with the reality of what she has signed on to do. Lawrence is able to echo these spots of introspection as the story moves to the arena, though they understandably become scarcer. Scarcity or not, she continues to make them count, and reminds us just how heavy this decision is weighing on her.
Perhaps what THE HUNGER GAMES deserves most credit for is its ability to execute. The filmmakers were handed a sure thing in a young adult property that was already wildly popular the world over: all they had to do was not screw it up. The creative team went one better. They set out to make the best movie possible from the property, and if doing so meant that they would be deviating from the text, so be it. Not every tale is a holy relic, and the true art of adaptation comes in how you shape what has already been established, not how much you want to appease the fan base.
With one solid chapter in the can, THE HUNGER GAMES has caused a spark. The next task will be to ensure that the fire will catch.
ha ha, I see what you did there at the end:)
But I like how you pointed out the moments of introspection. There was a lot of self discovery and times she had to “think on her feet during a time of great danger”. She didn’t have much to grow since she was already pretty capable and self-sufficient before the games. Also good on ya to call attention to the fact the affection/relationship with Peeta might be an act. Hadn’t thought about that.
I really liked it but what kept me from loving it was that I expected something just a bit grander, akin to the weight and heft of something like The dark Knight, or better yet Gladiator. Still, it’s got me excited to see the story continue and thanks to overwhelming recommendations I’m picking up the books.
Great write-up Ryan!
Like that ending, eh?
For me it’s part of what makes her such a good character; she comes into the story as a kid who has to work hard for most of what she has, so when she’s dropped into these situations, she has the fortitude to work things through quickly.
I’m with you in liking-but-not-loving. There were a few spots where I could see the seams and wished I couldn’t. Still, for everything it had going against it, this is a great adaptation and well-executed film.
I really, really liked it! I knew it would be better than TWILIGHT or another film in the tween sub genre (which this in. How much does that suck?), but I didn’t expect to like it that much. I kept waiting for something to disappoint me, but no. This thing cooks, man.
I’m curious. What did you think of the levels of violence in this? I thought it was a hair away from an R rating; it really pushed that PG-13 to its limits, not so much with bloodshed (though there certainly is a lot of that) but with the tension and menace. In that respect, it’s like “that-other-fanboy-property-that-pushed-the-limits-of-PG-13-that-shall-go-unnamed-because-I-want-to-stop-comparing-everything-to-that-film!” Thoughts?
I’ve actually tried really, really hard not to bring up other Y-A book series when discussing this film, just because I don’t think it’s fair to lump them all together and paint them with the same brush. But yes, definitely better than Twilight.
I thought the violence was actually quite toned down for this book considering what it is supposed to be. Not only do we see very little (aside from one brutal broken neck), but even in the way the “no-show” is illustrated, it still doesn’t leave the impression that it could have. As an example, think about what you don’t see in the middle of AMERICAN HISTORY X, and how it compares to this. Creative editing and photography can go a long way, and it was either toned down for the young’ns or completely missed.
Aww, love this review, Ryan! Especially that line about sparking a fire (nice play on words there, man).
“I think to sell such a character as one who would be continually distracted by girlish crushes and mixed emotions does a disservice to the overarching story.” – Excellent point; I couldn’t put it into words better than that.
When I watching the film last night, when the camera turns to Gale watching Katniss kiss Peeta, the entire theater was roaring with laughter and “oooooo’s.” One of the funniest and most enjoyable theater experiences I’ve had in a while.
Looking forward to reviewing the film soon on my site too! Enjoyed reading from your perspective, Ryan.
Hee hee, everyone digs that closing. Glad I was able to get it “just so”
Our audience was surprisingly tame compared to all the stories I’ve been hearing. We did get the “Ooooh” when it cut to Gale, but I’ve heard of audiences sniffling their way through one of the deaths and even returning the salute.
Looking forward to reading your take on it. Be sure to come back tomorrow and listen to the Matineecast episode where we discuss it.
The movie did make me interested in the subject matter (I went out and bought it right after and read it all this morning when I woke up early), but I couldn’t get into it. Mainly because the direction made me think someone had tied a camera to a cat and then dropped the cat in a bath. And also it does an even poorer job than the book of defining other characters, despite breaking from the narrow first person. I know even less about Rue than I do in the book, and I felt nothing from her fate (though the flowers and salute was affecting). When I read the book after the movie, I got just enough of Rue that I actually cared somewhat, and I found myself far more moved even though I’d already seen what happens to her. The book also gives some space to the psychological impact of the Games, which was sorely lacking from the film. Harrelson gives Haymitch flair, but he doesn’t get to really hint at the darkness under his self-medication.
Still, Katniss is an awesome character, and Lawrence was wonderful. The movie’s mediocre, but it’s a better showcase for her skills than the crap X-Men First Class. I was amused that she brought a lot of Ree Dolly to the part, esp. since Katniss is herself a mountain girl caring and fighting for her sister after losing her father and dealing with an effectively absent mother.
I’ve heard a lot of the “I don’t know anything about these characters” rebuttal. To which I need to ask this – how would a story like this allow us to learn any more about them? Think about the speed with which everything happens – drafted one day, training for four, then dropped into the game. Katniss wouldn’t fraternize much with her competitors, and barely knows her mentors…so all we could hope to gain is a bit more backstory about D12 (which I’ll admit, is lacking).
As for Rue’s fate, it could be just that I had it in mind from the book, but I thought Katniss looking at her and thinking of Prim was pretty clear. If it wasn’t, her singing to her surely spells it out. Regardless, it’s still a scene where a 12-year-old girl has to endure what she does. That should be affecting enough, no?
You’re right though – it’s the fact that Katniss is a well-developed character which carries this film, especially since precious little happens without her being around.
Hopefully your bemusement with the first film hasn’t sullied you on the whole series because there are better things to come.
Finally have a chance to see it tonight, it was a mild disappointment for me. Perhaps it’s a mistake to rewatch Battle Royale the night before, and I still have that movie fresh in my mind. While The Hunger Game is not a rip of of BR, but Battle Royale has a lot more life to it than The Hunger Games, especially in the early scenes. I wished the certain themes were explored more fully (The Reality TV aspect, what happened when kids were put into a situation that they have to kill, totalitarian regime and etc…)
Jennifer Lawrence is the best thing in The Hunger Games. Katniss is a rare strong young female characters, and Lawrence carried the movie as much as she could. But it feels like Gary Ross wants to be so faithful to the book, that it tries to put everything in regardless if it works or not.
I do have some hope for the sequel. Without the need for exposition, perhaps the director may have some freedom to do more things. At least I hope so.
Oh dude, this film and BATTLE ROYALE have so little in common that it ain’t funny. So yeah, watching that first and using it as a point of comparison was a mistake. There are things I wish the film explored, like upping the violence, but that falls under “movie I wanted versus movie I saw”.
I actually thought Ross & Co. did a good job of mining the book for what was crucial and what wasn’t. There are a lot of little details that helped craft a better screenplay. What did you think the film put in that wasn’t neccessary?
I”ll be curious to see how the sequel shakes down, especially given its structure and how well this first film has been received.
While Battle Royale is a different film, it has some similarities to The Hunger Games, especially with kids trying to survive and forming alliances, the totalitarian regime and etc…and that film is so fresh in my mind, that I can’t help but use it as a comparison point (probably not a good idea to watch it the day before watching The Hunger Games, lesson learned).
I think a lot of expositions aren’t necessary, the training scenes, the Donald Sutherland scenes with Wes Bentley explaining what he likes and why. Ross could trust the viewers a little bit more, by showing not telling. The CGI dogs and fire, again not necessary. The characters already has a difficult time just to survive, the movie doesn’t need something like that to up the stake. Keep it simple.
I would rather have them spending some time on the characters to reflect on what they have done. Having a kid killing another kid for the first time is a pretty big deal, I think it would be reasonable to deal with some of these moral issues a little bit. I know that’s not the movie they are making, but I am not sure they can just bypass that.
I am not saying this is a bad film, if I have to give it a grade, it would be B-/C+. It just have potential to be so much better, and I hope the sequel can achieve that.
It’s funny that you point out the exposition as what you could do without as the common complaint I’m hearing is that the movie didn’t have enough exposition where things like life in District 12 and the reason behind the games are concerned.
I’m with you on the grading – the film has flaws, but it doesn’t buckle under them.
I dont think you understand how much I wish I fell in your camp rather than my venom filled hate-filled land of “F the Hunger Games”, but WTH man!
I get the focus on Katniss of quietly defying the established world by opting out of playing the game they feel that she should. Her need to be a survivalist as opposed to an aggressor throughout the proceedings. But before we even get to the game itself I question what the hell is going on in this world.
I felt throughout the film that due to the story’s long introduction to the world (back in District 12) up to the game itself (which takes near an hour I felt) that the director was forced to cut corners and plots throughout the rest of the movie which made it suffer completely. I almost want to ask the obvious question SPOILER What happened in District 11 after Rue died? /SPOILER That was just completely ignored after an almost 30 second cut away moment of the film.
All I felt was agony at the idea that this is another two summers of agrovation. At least the series wont last as long as Twilight has.
The balance of showing enough without showing too much is definitely the film’s biggest trap. The more I read the reactions to people coming in cold, the more I’m convinced that the film…maybe didn’t rush its opening, so much as it spent its energy in the wrong places.
The fact that the people in D12 are starving was short-changed, so too was the reason certain kids’ names are in the lottery so many times. I could fill in those blanks, but that’d become a whole other post.
What I *can* tell you is that you missed something:
SPOILERS
After Rue meets her fate, and Katniss gives her salute of solidarity back to them, the citizens get pissed in a hurry that The Capitol has just cost them the life of someone so young. They decide to take it out on The Capitol by inciting a riot in the town square. They destroy the equipment set up to force them to watch everything, and start roughing up the guards. To quell this, Haymitch floats the idea of “Star-Cross’d Lovers” to Seneca (Wes Bently), who then in turn runs it past President Snow (who agrees that the whoile country rallying behind two competitors might stem the tide of uprising.
END SPOILERS
Any better?
I just saw this last night and enjoyed it. I read the books last year, and I think that may have slightly lessened the experience for me. I found myself checking off the big moments as they went by and not being as invested in the story. That said, this is a solid adaptation and Jennifer Lawrence is excellent in the lead role. I can definitely understand the acclaim and think I might enjoy it more on a second viewing.
Count me in as one who is looking forward to watching it again – and likewise giving books two and three a second read!
Glad to see you enjoyed this Ryan, I really enjoyed it and I think having read the book certainly made me enjoy it more. I’m looking forward to reading the second book now, and hopefully the sequels will live up to the original.
I think the whole franchise is in very good hands, and that when it all gets to the later stages, that the films will become a better medium for the story than the written page.
Thanks for reading Ruth!