Individual freedom is part of what makes this country so great. But what if we didn’t have that? Imagine living in a place completely void of any rights whatsoever; a place where the government is in total control and the circumstances for anyone who disobeys is inhumane to say the least.
The Hunger Games takes place in a post-apocalyptic totalitarian regime known as Panem. Panem was originally separated into 13 districts before the 13th District rebelled against the all-controlling Capitol. Furious at their defiance, the evil President Snow requested that District 13 be destroyed and the rest of the country suffer the consequences, thus giving birth to The Hunger Games.
Every year, a boy and a girl tribute from each district are drawn at random to participate in The Hunger Games. While in the Games, you must fight to death on live TV as a reminder of the Rebellion. Winner goes home and brings honor to their District. In some cases, there are those who volunteer as tribute. That is exactly what protagonist Katniss Everdeen did to take place of her little sister, Prim.
In the arena, Katniss and fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark, experience love, loss and friendship all while trying to survive the life-threatening obstacles devised to kill them both. Can Katniss and Peeta manage to survive the Games together?
The Hunger Games was fantastic and worth waiting for. When I first heard that one of my favorite books was becoming a movie, I was extremely disappointed. I couldn’t stand the thought of the film not doing the book justice, but it certainly did. There was a satisfying amount of action, limited gazing into each other’s eyes with lust and incredible costumes and sets.
If I could rate the movie, I would give it a nine out of 10. Jennifer Lawrence was incredible and the rest of the cast as well. I don’t know if it was due to the outstanding work of the director, the actors or both, but the connection I felt with every single character was unbelievable. I could feel the intense amount of despair and fear throughout District 12 and the heart break Katniss endured when Rue had been murdered.
Unlike the popular Twilight series, The Hunger Games isn’t about being dependent and wanting to die rather than being away from your supernatural boyfriend. Its message is much more empowering. It’s about doing things on your own, courage and standing up for what you believe in. Finally a movie that can inspire the youth of our generation to be strong and have hope even when it seems as though there is none.
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