Suzanne Collins captivated the minds of young teens and adults when she wrote The Hunger Games Trilogy. The books based in totalitarian world where twelve districts are bound under the rule of decadent Capitol society that quells any thirst for insurrection with The Hunger Games. These sadistic games require two young individuals, ages ranging from seven to seventy-seven, randomly selected from twelve districts to participate in a fight to the death in an sophisticated arena that harkens to the coliseums of Rome, but includes the digital and futuristic dangers capable only with advanced technology. Collins trilogy, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay follow the heroine Katinss Everdeen who is swept up from being a huntress, and commoner into becoming a participant in Hunger Games, a victor, and finally the symbol of the Rebellion against the Capitol and its tsarist dictator President Snow. While Collin's books have the reader in the head of Katniss, hearing her thoughts and emotions, the movies focus on her and yet spend ample time on the attidues and qualities of the other characters.
Let the Games begin. May the Odds Be Ever in this Review's Favor.
THE HUNGER GAMES (2012)
The first adaptation of book one features perhaps the most traumatic elements of the saga. Like Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, the audience is swept up from a relatively normal life in District 12 into the death match of the Hunger Games. Unwilling to let her younger sister Primrose Everdeen participate in the games, Katniss opts to be her tribute (replacement). This chapter in the series is crucial for understanding the rest of the series, but it contains the most carnage, and disturbing elements. The participants in this Hunger Games are young teens and children, making the killing often unbearable to watch. You rue when Rue dies, and feel your stomach twist in knots as Tris torments Katniss with her knives. The entire experience is surreal, unpleasant, and unfortunately unique and original. This chapter formulates all the story arches necessary to appreciate the later films such as the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta Maalark (the baker), and Gale, the Games, President Snow, The Districts, The Capitol, Panam, and more.
Pros: Riveting adrenaline rush, good story telling, good acting, establishes the main plot, foundations, and character development for the whole series.
Cons: Its the most brutal and morose of the films, features sadism and poignant feeling of nihilism. Mutts or werewolf like dogs that devour contestants. Scenes of young people making light of killing children and mocking the sanctity of life.
CATCHING FIRE (2013)
The second adaptation of book two is perhaps the most seamless and perfect of the films. From the Victor tour to the vicious Monkeys, Catching Fire had the right amount of smoldering smoke and fire, the best balance of thrills and high heels. This installment was the closest to the book and yet worked the best on screen with the subtle changes. The memorable moments are the Quarter Quell's opening moment where Katniss must swim, arm herself with bow and arrow, and trust Finnick Odair to help her fight the other contestants. Catching Fire has less carnage, and the trauma is reduced because most of the contestants are adults and older teens (who can go to war) and so you feel less disturbed by the inevitable death toll. The entire film is so brilliantly done, it is hard to single out any flaws because the whole thing works. Although I must say, Joanna steals every scene she is in.
Pros: Too many to count, a perfect adaptation, almost 100% to the book and yet the changes make sense and do not offend purists.
Cons: Mainly the violence, but again this time the victims are older and so less jarring to watch.
MOCKINGJAY PART I (2014)
The third adaptation and first part of the final book in Hunger Games series. Mockingjay Part I is the weakest in the series. It suffers merely because it was separated from Part II which is now in theaters. This part is mostly exposition, and explanations with more propaganda shots than you can shake a Panam pencil at. Aside from the introduction of the leader of the Rebellion, President Coin (Julianne Moore), District 13, and Trackerjacker hijacked (brainwashed) Peeta, this installment deserves a pa isss. Part I all passé, rather than passion, all wailing without the war. Hollywood needs to take some lessons from Plutarch Heavensbee and stop splitting movies in two for profits. The Game makers of this installment should have merged it with the Part II and cut 60% of this film.
Pros: One epic scene when Katniss shoots down a ship with bow and arrow, and Plutarch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) trying to coach Katniss into being an inspirational, revolution, Joan of Arcesque figure and her failing miserably to inspire.
Cons: Almost the entire film is a con, with way too much drama and not enough destiny and danger. Sadly, a con in this film is a lack of a death toll and no allusions to the Hunger Games. This felt more like preview, or promo reel for Part II rather than a film in its own right.
MOCKINGJAY PART II (2015)
The fourth adaptation and second part of the final chapter of the last book in Hunger Games saga. Everything that Part I wasn't, Part II is. While Part I may have been the mock or a mockery, Part II is the Jay, soaring in flame to fuel the hunger of fans one last time. Part II is a perfect balance and blend of drama and destruction; action and adventure, exposition and explosions. At last we see the Katniss we've been waiting to see, the Mockingjay unleashed from her cell and ready to raise hell on the Capitol. In its best moments you can feel the tension as Katniss and her team invade the capitol which is full of pods or booby-traps from masterminds of the Hunger Games. Finally we have a return of the Arena of sorts and the war making this feel like the first two films, but adding that element of destiny and drama that only a real war film can give. Memorable moments are Katniss and Gale making their way to President Snow's Mansion disguised as refugees and a street battle ensuing between Peacekeepers and Rebels that has a tearful and epic end. Mockingjay Part II captures the best elements of series since Catching Fire: the Games, politics, puzzles, trauma, and more. This film fits perfectly as the end cap of a series that has stirred readers and moviegoers alike. The best one sentence to sum the film up is "May the Odds Ever be in Everdeen's Favor."
Pros: Chemistry, politics, epic battles, traps, and best balance of tension and tenderness since Catching Fire. 97% of the film is great.
Cons: The pacing when President Snow and Katniss meet face to face near the climax to talk is too fast. The director and editor could have cut some unnecessary shots of hovercraft flying and Katniss and Team running down a street for umpteenth time to slow down this spoiler filled moment with Snow. The zombiesque Mutts were not to my taste and distracted from the best elements of the film.
The Hunger Games is now complete and the Odds have been in Jennifer Lawrence's favor. The breakout hit made her a star, but does this series hold any value to the saints? As Christians should we run to Cornucopia and make war in name of the Mockinjay? The answer is complex. The Hunger Games introduces important thoughts to ponder for people in an age that could easily divide into a Capitol and Districts. The comments and critiques of being desensitized to violence, the value of young life, government abuse, rightful revolution, community, trust, and more are worthwhile to ponder. While the Hunger Games depicts the people of Panam, particularly those in Capitol as evil for enjoying the games and watching young people butcher each other, could not the audience who watches the films be condemned in the same way? Are not people going to see the films wanting to see the bloodshed, be shocked, awed, and more? Then there is the ever present and albeit subtle Nihilism that is intrinsic throughout all four films. Death is treated as final, and the tension and trauma only has its true effect if the viewer buys that death is the end. As Christians we believe in Jesus who said, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26), and "I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living." (Matthew 22:32). We as Christians are going to sleep, and then been raised from dead at the Last Day. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). We are promised Heaven (John 14:2), Eternal Life (John 3:16), and Eternal City (Revelation 21:1-10). The Hunger Games does not explicitly espouse Nihilism, there is no upfront statement like in the television series "House," but it is felt and implied. There really is no spirituality in the Hunger Games, no religion of any kind or nature. Family and friendship seem to be the guiding forces, which while good and worthy, are not the center of our Christian walk. Jesus said, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple," (Luke 14:25) and "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.For I have come to turn "a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--a man's enemies will be the members of his own household." (Matthew 10:34-36), Granted, in context Christ's statements aren't to hate your family, but in comparison to your love for Christ you must hate your family, that is being wiling to leave them for the Lord's sake and purposes.
The Hunger Games dances on a fine line between being relevant to watch because of the political and social issues it highlights, and the horror of watching people be gruesomely killed for entertainment. As Christians there can be benefit in "being in the world," but we must remember to "not be of it." Ultimately, each person must decide what value Katniss the Victor and her adventures contain. For some the carnage of the first film and the distress and deaths of the later films will be too traumatizing to make it worth the viewing, while others may derive benefit in its critique of government, slaughter of innocence, the importance of loyalty, and more. The problem is to gain access to the benefits of this series requires entering into the Arena. Enter at your own risk and pay attention to Rouch Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) and discover if the Odds Are in Your Favor.
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