Written in 2008, Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” trilogy has accumulated a huge young adult fan base that rivals that of other recent popular works of fiction, such as “Twilight” or “Harry Potter”.
Set at an undetermined time in the future, “The Hunger Games” follows 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, a citizen of an area known as District 12, which is in the post-apocalyptic country of Panem, once known as North America.
Ruled by the merciless governing body only known as The Capitol, Katniss is forced to compete in a government sanctioned pageant in which teenage children fight until the death on live television until a lone victor remains.
Similar to the famous Battle Royale series of books, Hunger Games also borrows from the Greek mythology of Theseus, whom the character of Katniss is loosely based upon “The Hunger Games” book series has led to the March 23 film release with an even sturdier fan base than the books originally held.
On March 6, fans gathered at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta to a meet and greet with some of their favorite characters from the book. For many who attended, they had the book in hand and gushed that the journey the novel took them on was finally translating to screen.
“The books are very different. I’m not a big reader, but I couldn’t put them down,” 19-year-old KSU sophomore Kimberly Mimbs said.
Earlier in a roundtable interview, some of cast members discussed the production of the movie and the excitement leading to its release.
Cast members Dayo Okeniyi (Thresh), Jack Quaid (Marvel), Leven Rambin (Glimmer), and Amandla Stenberg (Rue) all stated that before shooting, they endured an 8-week training program that included dieting, using various weaponry and learning cinematic fighting.
Stenberg, a huge fan of the trilogy, said she enjoyed her experience jumping from tree to tree in training because it was so similar to her character’s journey in the novel.
Quaid, the son of acclaimed actors Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid, said “there was no way” that he thought he scored the role of District 1 tribute Marvel, after his strange audition, in which he was asked to pick a weapon in a room, and chose
a Nerf gun. For Quaid and co-stars Okeniyi and Rambin, it was their first feature film.
Liam Hemsworth, who plays Gale, said, “it is one of the most powerful films I have ever seen,” and hopes that those who haven’t even read the books find the story appealing.
Fans of the books greatly anticipate films for the sequels, “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay”, though Hemsworth stated that they have not yet begun production on those.
When Okeniyi was asked what he believed the theme of the film was he said, “It’s a beautiful story about love and sacrifice. Even though it’s a horrible for children to face in society, it brings out bravery in the tributes. It’s ultimately about the sacrifices they make for the people they care about.”
“It is an intense film to say the least, but it absolutely does the book justice. Having Suzanne Collins there was a big help in conveying her vision, but it definitely will not disappoint,” Hemsworth said.
The film, even though it’s not an exact adaptation of the book, definitely satisfies fans of the book and greatly entertains the casual moviegoer at the same time.
Although the runtime of two and a half hours is a little longer than average, once you are engrossed in the bright colors and vast stories within the universe of Panem and its Capitol, the length of the movie will barely even matter to you.
Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence, who plays the protagonist Katniss Everdeen, shines as the star of the film, wonderfully expresses the anguish, strength and wit of Katniss as perfectly as described in the young adult book series.
The movie also gives the viewer genuine perspectives of various characters in the film with various camera angles and sound cues that truly make you feel like you were in the arena.
Book fans will also be excited to know that the movie definitely fills holes that may have confused them or were unclear while reading the novel because they were written in first person from Katniss’ perspective.
From humor to sadness, victory to defeat, Hunger Games does a fantastic job of giving the fans of the book series what they want, while giving other moviegoers a movie experience that is well worth the cost of the ticket.
You misquoted me. I am not only a reader, but a huge reader. If you don’t believe me, you should see my bookshelf…
Thank you for the clarification, Kimberly. I’m sorry that was misquoted. : /