The Hunger Games a Satisifying Film For Fans of the Wildly Popular Book

By Katrina Bergen

Dixon Public Library Children's/Young Adult Librarian

Lovers of the book will not be disappointed in this spectacular production of "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins. Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is tough, unpredictable, and tender as the heroine who volunteers to take her little sister’s place as a “tribute” in an annual and lethal survival game.

It is televised and mandatory viewing for the people of the districts of Panem, who are kept in line by this brutal event. The labor and sweat of the districts fuel the excesses and extreme technology of the Capital, the city where the President and his tyrannical regime reside.

The Capital is perfect for Hollywood – as the tributes enter the city in chariots for the first time, the scene is reminiscent of Cecil B. DeMille’s grand biblical extravaganzas of the 1920’s. The Capital even resembles the stereotype of Hollywood – it is populated by brilliantly-made-up people who are flagrantly shallow and decadent.

In contrast many close-ups of Katniss, her fellow tributes, Peeta and Rue, and her little sister, Prim, show real people living on the edge while struggling to maintain their integrity and humanity.

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta is soulful and irresistible in his authenticity and forthrightness. Unfortunately, Liam Hemsworth’s portrayal of Gayle, Katniss’s fellow hunter and best friend, does not seem true to the novel’s hard-as-nails character (his pained expressions while watching Peeta and Katniss in the games elicited snickers from the audience).

Nor can the movie capture all of the characters, events, and nuances of the book. However, even though it is lengthy – almost two and one-half hours – it is worth every minute. It can be viewed by middle schoolers as well as older teens and adults – the gory scenes are well-presented without the book’s graphic details.

"The Hunger Games" is a Librarian’s dream. Teens who are otherwise uninterested in reading are picking up the novel, and this well-crafted movie only adds to the excitement of this truly compelling read.

Showtimes for "The Hunger Games" powered by Fandango.com

Davis

Regal Davis Holiday 6, 101 F St., Davis, CA 95616

The Hunger Games NEW! (PG-13, No Passes) 2 hr 22 min

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Vacaville

Brenden Vacaville 16, 531 Davis Street, Vacaville, CA 95688

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