Adapted from a very popular series of teen books, The Hunger Games tells the story of young Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), scrounging out an existence for her impoverished family in Panem's District 12. This year, however, is different as Katniss' sister Primrose (Willow Shields) has her first turn in the selections for the Romanesque Hunger Games, in which a boy and girl between 12 and 18 from each district are chosen to fight to the death.
Naturally, Primrose is selected and Katniss volunteers to take her sisters place. Paired up with Peeta (Hutcherson), a boy who once fed her when she was starving, Katniss fights for not only her life but her morality in this contest of Governmental tyranny against the common man.
Honestly, for a major blockbuster that Lionsgate is hoping to turn into a tentpole franchise, there isnt much story or plot here. Character development is weak and focused mainly on Katniss, leaving little to no identification with characters from other districts. Even the designated heartstring puller Rue is nothing more than a young child who dies, giving our heroine the cult status she needs to become more than just a tribute.
Direction is good, the performances are whats needed to propel this minimal storyline along, special effects are convincing and realistic.
Overall, The Hunger Games is geared to work on one level only, the bare minimum. Which, thankfully, is one level higher than Lionsgate's previous franchise, Twilight, worked on.
B-
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