Have you ever imagined a world where fear for survival is turned into entertainment and a show for others to watch? The movie series The Hunger Games, inspired from Suzanne Collins’ novels and released between 2012 and 2015 demonstrate such a reality through four chapters. The movies portray social inequality through the seperation of the wealthy, living in The Capital from the rest of the country, which is itself divided into 12 districts. Jennifer Lawrence gives life to Katniss Everdeen, a teenage girl from the district 12, who is forced to participate in The Hunger Games, a televised competition in which young people fight to death for the amusement and entertainment of the wealthy Capitol.
What stands out the most in the series is its main character, Katniss Everdeen, who is a person driven by duty and loyalty to her family, not by the desire for power unlike others. Thanks to her emotional character in this materialistic world, viewers feel something real when watching. Emotions flow easier thanks to how she carries each scene. She demonstrates courage and attachment to her own beliefs, as she is the first one to try to change the system, opposing with the Capital even though she knew the risks of being against the wealthy in addition to her revenge on the new president, which was unexpected. The portrayal of social inequality is another major strength of the series. The contrast between the luxurious and glamourous Capital and the poor districts highlight social inequality and abuse of power. Figures like Peeta Mellark, along with President Snow add depth to the movies as they show different beliefs, one driven by emotions and sincerety, and the other, driven by power and dominance of others.
However, the series is also not flawless. Certain parts of the series, especially in Mockingjay Part 1, may feel slow and overly focused on political discussion rather than scenes of action, reducing the tension for viewers expecting conflict. On top of that, several supporting figures such as President Alma Coin stay underdefined, so why they act a certain way becomes hard to follow. Although some might say that splitting the last book into two parts was unnecessary, I believe that this seperation has lead to increased curiosity for the end of the second part of the book, as putting together the last two parts in one single movie would decrease the tension and make people feel bored as many important details would have to be removed.
Even with these flaws, I can strongly say that the movie series The Hunger Games really pulls you in and make you question the world we are currently living in. If you are someone who enjoys dystopian stories with strong themes and powerful central character, this could be your thing. Mixing fun moments with sharp commentary works surprisingly well, leaving a lasting mark on viewers.
And what about you? Have you recently watched a movie about which you want to share your ideas with others? If so, drop them in the comment’s section below!