The Hunger Games (2012)
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth
Based on the novel by: Suzanne Collins
Written and Directed by: Gary Ross
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Grade: A++
In a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided between 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year two young teenagers from each district are selected by chance to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen's (Lawrence) young sister, Prim (Willow Shields), is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson), are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. Also stars Hemsworth as Katniss's best friend Gale, Elizabeth Banks as the extremely make-up-ed Effie Trinket, Amandla Stenberg as Katniss's ill fated ally Rue, Stanley Tucci as the blue-haired futuristic version of Ryan Seacrest named Caesar Flickerman, and Woody Harrelson in a brilliant performance as Katniss and Peeta's alcoholic mentor Haymitch Abernathy. Overall, a great, exciting movie and one of the best book-to-movie adaptations ever. Definitely worth watching! (or in my case going to the midnight premiere and waiting for 9 hours)
