The Hunger Games

Directed by: Gary Ross

Written by: Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray (screenplay); Suzanne Collins (novel)









An adaptation of the hit YA distopian novel, featuring just about as many stars (and up-and-coming stars) as could be crammed into a modern feature-length film.

Overall, it was a pretty well-made adaptation.  In fact, some of the criticism has been that it was too close of an adaptation and lacked any originality.  I agree, to an extent.  The visual-effects were very loyal to the way everything was described in the novel, revealing things basically the way everyone imagined them.  It might have been nice to see a little creative license taken with some of the way things were presented or perhaps in the way the story unfolded.

There were a few kinks in the novel-to-film transition: mainly, a few things were glossed over or awkwardly inserted.  The stand-out example of this was the "tracker-jacker" explanation - the regular narrative stopped, pulled back to a sports commentary style to explain what the insects were, and then returned back into the regular narrative.

I enjoyed this movie very much.  But I'm not sure if I actually enjoyed it, or if I liked the original "Hunger Games" concept.

The Hunger Games

Written by: Suzanne Collins

It's rare that a book recommendation from my students actually lives up to the hype they establish for it. But, I have to say that "The Hunger Games" turned out to be more than worthy of its reputation.

Set in a dystopian future (as many "young adult" novels are), Katniss Everdeen is your average teenager in District 12 struggling to keep her fatherless family fed. But the annual Hunger Games put on by the domineering Capitol rip Katniss from her family and friends and force her into a literal game of life-and-death with only Peeta - a baker's son - as an ally. Will Katniss emerge victorious? Or will she become merely another casualty claimed by the Hunger Games?

For a young adult novel, this book is pretty darned good. It takes about sixty pages for the plot to gather much steam, but once it takes off it becomes hard to put down.

Without any intent of condescension toward young adult literature, it's important to keep in mind that this book is essentially a teen book. But it's a good teen book. Whereas the "Twilight" books often aim towards the lowest common denominator and veer off into cheesy drama and romance, I felt like "The Hunger Games" picked a higher target and hit the mark. Although there is a minor love-triangle storyline, the book focuses much more on its strength - the action-packed battle-royale.

I found Katniss to be an interesting character. She manages to stride a fine line between her femininity (compassion, affection) and her masculinity (aggressiveness, brutality). Simultaneously she is likable and strong while also flawed and powerless. Her confusion and frustration with her powerlessness in life effectively mirror and detail the same confusions and frustrations of adolescents.

I won't go on-and-on here. I recommend the book, as long as you know what you're getting into. It's not often that I praise a book like this, but in this case I feel it's earned.