"The Hunger Games"

The best selling novel has now become a major film event...

There has been quite a build up to this film release. The story concerns the future, and a planet seperated into districts. Every year each district, of which there are 12, has to submit a boy and girl to complete in the Annual Huger Games. Sounds like a rather grand and prestigious tournament. There is however a downside, out of the 24 contestants taking part in the event, there can be only one winner. or rather there can be only one survivor.

District 12 is ranked as a low outsider, having little success in the previous Games. But they could be on to a winner this year, as the female contestant is Katniss Everdeen. A bit of a wild card, a loner, she and her younger sister are both possible contenders for District 12, and when her young sister is selected, Katniss offers herself as tribute rather than have her sister take part.
All the contestants are taken to the main city, where they can train, learn skills, and also interact with potential sponsors, who can help out when the Games are running.

There is major flaw with the film, in that like "The Cabin in the Woods", the creative behind involved with making the Games enjoyable for the viewers, are able to turn the tables on the contestants whenever they want, I suppose they have to give the viewers a reason to keep watching, but when the contestants are working so hard, it is rather like a slap in the face for all their hard work.
There is the usual bunch of contestants, the alpha male, there is a love interest for Katniss, those who help, and those who hinder.

Ultimately it is a rather bland effort, nothing to majorly say wow to. After the credits rolled, all I could think was "Is that it"?
Another major negative point is the photography. I would advise against anyone sitting on the first say 30 rows of seats at the cinema, as it may induce vomitting. With this kind of documentary style photography, and constant shaking, it is difficult for one to focus and enjoy what is on screen. And who is the guilty party? None other than Tom Stern, who has photographed some truly great films, many under the Direction of Clint Eastwood. As to where he went badly wrong here, I can only sumise the Director was at fault.
The only major plus is a scene stealing Stanley Tucci as 'Caeser Flickerman', a kind of Michael Parkinson for The Hunger Games. Great fun performance from a great actor, a rare delight in this film.

The Hunger Games failed to deliver on so much promise......6 out of 10