The Hunger Games

THE HUNGER GAMES

Written by Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray

Based on the novel by Suzanne Collins

Directed by Gary Ross

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson

Mainstream cinematic releases involving young actors have, of late, been almost universally rubbish. At the top (or bottom, depending on how you look at it) of this stinking heap is the despicable Twilight series, a subject that up until just now has avoided mention. [I find it barely possible to even mention that abortion of a franchise without succumbing to a wave of violent regurgitation.] For some strange reason, The Hunger Games has been lumped in with this tide of tween trash, and entirely unfairly - for this is a resonant, startling and surprisingly funny film with a maturity that far outstrips its peers.

In the nation of Panem, the Capitol holds indisputable power over 12 districts of poor, starving and frightened citizens. In order to maintain their authority, and continue punitive action for a long-forgotten rebellion, they devised the Hunger Games, a televised event in which two youths from each district are selected to fight to the death in free-for-all combat. When sixteen year old huntress Katniss Everdeen's young sister is chosen during the Reaping for the 74th annual game, Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take her place.

On the big screen, The Hunger Games owes more than a little fealty to the Japanese classic Battle Royale, itself the Asiatic evolution of William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies. Conceptually it is also very close to the ancient Greek myth in which King Minos demanded the sacrifice of youths to the Minotaur as 'tributes' - clearly the origin of Suzanne Collins' term for the games' contestants. Intriguingly, the world is highly anachronistic - while those in the outlying districts slave in coal mines and hunt with bow and arrow, the denizens of the Capitol live in appalling space-age luxury, dressing themselves in daily attire that would make Elena Burenina balk. Almost none of the advanced Capitol technology seeps through to the level of the game, though, as the gladiatorial contest is best at its most concentrated, pure, and brutal.

The first thing one notices is the patience that director Gary Ross displays in adapting the material. Gone is the stock standard Hollywood rush to action - there's plenty you need to know and experience about this world, and it is all for nought if the characters mean nothing to the audience. Gary takes his time in establishing Katniss and her surroundings, and it pays off with the first harrowing moment of the Hunger Games proper, which is genuinely chilling.

The young cast are deftly suited to such powerful material, surprisingly enough. Jennifer's real strength comes out when the action gets going - she seems born to wander the woods, bow in hand; it's like this role was meant for her. Little Amanda Stenberg is wonderful as Rue, and perhaps Josh Hutcherson is not entirely engaging as semi-love interest Peeta, but he's not so bad as to stand out. Even the posse of painted villains have humanizing moments that remind us that even the most seemingly monstrous of these competitors are, after all, still children.

Woody Harrelson is the standout performer from the older generation, though he's amply supported by the hideous and hilarious Elizabeth Banks as a propagandist for the Hunger Games. Most curious of all is Lenny Kravitz, barely noticable with shaved head and gold rimmed eyes, whose honest and dignified portrayal of Cinna makes him a captivating on screen presence. (Some members of the public objected to this casting on the basis of Kravitz's skin colour - those people are fools, obviously, but at least they paved the way for a damn classy response from casting director David Rubin.)

What strikes most about the film is its remarkable composition - as mentioned before, this is a mainstream cinematic release, and yet it eschews the typical steadicams and smooth gliding landscape shots of its peers for rough, intimate handicam and erratic editing which defines the movie. It's this style that enables the most violent sequences to be rendered within the boundaries of an M15+ rating: something vital to the film's power and success. Though reminiscent of the glossier Hanna, it feels unique owing to its jarring cuts and visual distortions; one hallucination sequence in particular is highly unsettling. The sound design is pitch perfect, with impeccably timed use of silence and synchronicity with the haunting score by James Newton Howard.

Blood is spilled, and children are killed, but it doesn't take a locked off, front on shot of a twelve year old being skewered to drive this home, as the film shows. It is alternately tear-jerking and gasp-inducing, with well timed comic stings that broke the tension in an audience who likely aren't used to a tale this dark. Though it's not a new concept, it's great to see Western audiences take to it for the first time with such aplomb. If you're after a blockbuster that isn't frighteningly dumb, violence with visible consequence, and believable relationships with absolutely no sparkling involved, The Hunger Games is a must-see. Take your kids.

(You should also walk out the moment the credits roll so you're not forced to listen to Taylor Swift's ear-rapingly bad "song" at the end. Trust me.)