One of the most eagerly anticipated films of the year, The Hunger Games, is released in cinemas this Friday (23rd March 2012). With a sterling cast including the likes of Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), Woody Harrelson (No Country for Old Men) and musician Lenny Kravitz there are high expectations for it to be successful. In fact, I don’t doubt it’s success in terms of ticket sales. Being the first film adaptation of the best selling cult book series (the first of a trilogy) it has already accumulated a sturdy fan base made up of fans of the novels.
Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen, a highly contested role with the likes of Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass) and Emma Roberts (Wild Child) being considered for the part. Alongside Jennifer Lawrence will be alongside Josh Hutcherson who plays Peeta Mellark. Despite only being 19 years old, Hutcherson has quite a back catalogue of film experience starring in films such as Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Bridge to Terabithia.
The movie has also received some cliched responses and comparisons when people hear about the concept, for example, “Oh, so it’s just like Twilight then?” My response. NO! The story, set in a post-apocalyptic world known as Panem, has some important and brutal comments on society. Unlike Twilight, it’s base isn’t a love story; there is a romantic element but the novel (and hopefully the film) has a lot more to say. Another response to the film’s concept is “So it’s just a rip off of Battle Royale?” Again, my response is, no. There is a similar theme, that of children having to kill each other in order to survive, but the similarities pretty much stop there. In the novel The Hunger Games doesn’t come as a shock to Panem’s inhabitants as it has been part of their culture since anyone can remember. A Government scheme to show that they are in control and will remain in control as long as The Hunger Games continue. Considering it is the first part of a trilogy it has a lot more depth than being a re-make of Battle Royale.
In my opinion, I’m really hoping this movie doesn’t turn into another Twilight Saga. However it’s inevitable that the fan base will be split into either ‘Team Gale‘ or ‘Team Peeta‘. But on the whole, I’m excited to see how The Hunger Games‘ rise to fame unfolds. Watch this space.
