"The Hunger Games" In Review

I'm not a movie critic but every once in a while I see a memorable film that I have to share my thoughts on. Sometimes my review serves as a warning to stay away from the film, other times it serves as a recommendation to go on your "must see" list. After seeing the newest Hollywood hit "The Hunger Games", I realize I need a new category for my movies. I'm not sure whether or not to give it my highest recommendation or warn you against it. 

I must confess though before you read this, I have not read the book, so take this for what it's worth. But in saying that, after seeing the film, I am grateful I did not read the book. I got caught up in all the hype of the book due to my very literature savvy friends and family. They are always reading and giving recommendations on their latest reads. This was on the top of my reading list after hearing such great praise. 

I asked a friend and she told me the premise of it. 

Apparently it's about a civilization in the future which was separated in to 12 geographical locations and were ordered by the government to fight to the death in a "last man standing" tournament. Oh, did I mention that these "warriors" were children? Yes, 24 randomly selected children would fight to the death to bring "honor" and food to their district.

After hearing about the plot, I was a little skeptical. I was assured by all previous readers of the book that "it's not like that" though. I was told it wasn't very gruesome, it didn't have a lot of details on the violence and it wasn't as bad as it sounds. Well either the movie was COMPLETELY off, or these people are lying to me. 

The movie was one of the more disturbing films I've seen. Right up there with Saving Private Ryan. 

It was a very well made movie. Props to the director for his direction on such an amazing film. The costumes were awesome, the acting was fantastic, the scenes were breathtaking and the stunts were incredible. 

I'm just not sure what to think of this movie though. I do have a weaker stomach than most and some of the violence was a little too much to handle, but overall, I enjoyed the movie. With that being said, after seeing that film, in no way do I ever want to read the series. I have a very vivid imagination and books are way more detailed than movies. I am a little anxious to fill in a couple points, but IT IS exactly what it says it is. It's a blood bath, to the death until one man (in this case, two people) were left standing. There were throats slit, necks broken, multiple stabs and slits from knives and swords, bows and arrows, a lethal attack of wasps, and endless acts of violence and killing throughout the entire movie. 

When did this become okay??? This book was on the Best Selling list for quite some time and became one of the most talked about movies in Hollywood. I think the movie was very well done, but since when did it become okay for children to murder other children for entertainment purposes? I'm very disturbed in the thought of these books making it so big and this kind of violence becoming so sought after. 

I'm in no way against violent films. I love a good action packed movie every now and again. But I would not classify this as an action film. It is somehow portrayed as a love story because of a forced alliance with two of the tributes. I'm very confused. Very confused. Not about the story per say, but about why it got to be so big. I have no doubt that the books are good reads, but I also know that they are EXACTLY what they say they are. Gruesome and violent. 

So take this review for what it's worth. I will be seeing the rest of the movies just because they were well done, but I won't be touching the books. And I would definitely not recommend either to children.  


Meanwhile I got to experience yet another midnight movie with amazing friends and even better treats :)