it doesn't start like this either.
Admittedly, my expectations were probably a touch high. Credit where it's due, Hungry Games attempts to deal with the issue of voyeurism in reality TV (second episode of Black Mirror-esque). It sets up a pretty interesting dynamic - us as an audience spectating a nation, who in turn are watching a couple o' dozen teenagers attempt to kill each other. The culture of Panem, a fictional & futuristic USA, is incredibly reliant on this annual show of masochism - much like our nation of viewers enchanted by Jade Goody calling people Indian dishes. For almost 70 years the inhabitants in the 12 "districts" of Panem have tuned in and watched the bloodbath without having any complaints. Thankfully Big Brother wont last that long - touch wood.
day 9 of the big brother house
It sets up this dynamic, then shelves it in favour of a shitty love triangle that adolescent women are surely a little bit bored of by now? At the top point is one Katniss Everdeen, a young hunter from District 12 - an impoverished area of Panem - who is entered into the Hungry Games after she kindly and somewhat foolishly volunteers to replace her wee sister, whose name is drawn out of a hat as the "tribute" from their district. The other tribute, and second point of our triangle, comes in the form of Peeta, son of a baker whose only talent is throwing bread and doodling on himself. The final point is a young lad named Gale, who essentially has the same facial expression of disappointment throughout the entire ordeal. The whole trifecta is so similar to the Belwarcob - Bella, Edward, Jacob for all you nonbelievers - triangle I adored (see previous review) that it's frightening: you have the protective best friend and the dynamic vampire/baker both fighting for the affections of the super hot and very well acted female lead.
a career man.
Triangle established, and interesting concept tossed aside, it's time to begin the Hungry Games. This is where the film should excel and really come into its own, but again it feels like it stops short of the mark. The tense thrill of battle, amazing action sequences and shocking death scenes never come to fruition. The opening of the Hungry Games sets the 24 participants around a mound of deadly weapons, and upon the first whistle the majority of our gladiators run to grab their favourites. Instead of a barrage of amazing Battle Royale-esque moments of overkill, the camera just shakes incessantly and cuts away from all the moments of impact. We are afforded some glimpses of what the film could, and should, have been. I'm thinking of the sequences toward the finale when the pace kicks up and Katniss actually uses her bow/trips balls after she gets stung by a wasp.
she eventually learns how
For me, the best part was going to see the film in a North Philadelphia, African American dominated cinema. When a black character did something awesome with his axe, the majority of the audience started applauding and cheering - it was spectacular. Despite this, the action doesn't keep the viewer on the edge of their seat and there's not many surprises; the finale of the film is guessable from the beginning, as is the start to the sequel - the only real shocking moment is when Lenny Kravtiz appears as a camp fashion designer. Unexpected yet brilliant. Also Woody Harrelson plays a steaming drunk which is always fun to watch. Ultimately, however, Hungry Hungry Hippos would be a much better way to spend 2 hours and 22 minutes of your saturday afternoon.
white men can drink
18/50 STATES
18/50 STATES
