Krishna
The movie came after a lot of hype and so I was a bit skeptical and afraid to get my expectations high prematurely. In the event, it turned out to be unnecessary because the movie was very well made and was gripping from start to finish.
I did not notice that the time had passed and at the end, was left briefly with the impression that the movie was a small one, until I looked at my watch. Surely the hallmark of a well made movie.
I have not yet read any of the books and so I do not know how true to the book the movie is, but the movie is interesting and stands out as a quality work in itself.
The story concerns a futuristic world, where one man and one woman from each of the rebellious districts are chosen (and there are 12 rebellious districts) once a year to take part in the Hunger Games. Why are they called Hunger Games? Because, partly, your name gets chosen from a random ballet, and the more times you have asked for extra food because you are hungry, the more chances you have of being picked.
Being picked is not an honour, as this is some kind of Survivor game (individually) where you outlast and kill all your opponents. The sole remaining person is the winner.
The story’s central character is Katniss Everdeen, who looks after Primrose, her younger sister, since her mother is often spaced out and (I assume) father is dead. When Primrose gets chosen by the ballet, Katniss overrides her by volunteering to go. She is an accomplished archer. The other person who was chosen to go is a shy, unassuming young man called Peta Mellark, who is her friend since he has helped her out clandestinely in the past, and who, she learns, has a crush on her. She already is in love with another man but it sucks that she should kill Peta too, if she were to energe as the winner.
The story shows how she is trained by the unimpressive alcoholic pessimist Haymitch, who is initially unimpressed with everything, including the two young people under his tutelage. They talk of impressing the sponsors to get more help. The sponsors are duly impressed but I did not see what the major advantage was, unless it had to do with the floating parachutes sent her way in the movie with help.
This is a kind of a Survivor in another respect too. It follows all contender’s every move through hidden cameras, and with a tracker injected into them at the beginning.
There are lovely scenes from the movie – for instance, the warning from Haymitch against taking anything from the huge pile of arms, including bow and arrow, kept near the very beginning.
Katniss seems to be saved by many others, some of it very unexpectedly. How she triumphs with the odds stacked so much against her, and with so many contestants her friends, is the story.
Told in a racy style, Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss is spectacular, with the bewilderment, confusion and anger showing in her face and manner on cue. The performance from Josh Hutcherson as Peeta was also very well done.
The filming is great, and keeps the interest till the very end. President Snow (Daniel Sutherland) does his part.
A good movie, pure enjoyment, I will give it a 9/10
— Krishna