News Taffy

Welcome back to Monday Popcorn everyone! I’m going to skip all the small talk this week and get straight to the topic of discussion. I saw The Hunger Games this weekend, and I don’t even know where to start. I prepared for the movie by reading the book, and like everybody else, I’m hooked. I want to say so much but I don’t want to give too much away with there being so many details to consider, but I’ll do my best.

The Hunger Games arose after a war in which the thirteen districts of Panem went up against the wealthy power-hungry Capitol. After the Capitol’s victory, (FYI: District 13 was eliminated) they devised a game as a reminder of their power in which a one girl and one boy, age 12-18, from each district would be chosen to fight to the death in a televised arena with only one out of the 24 making it to end as the victor. At the center of the movie is 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), from the poor coal-mining region District 12. She is a hunter with her trusty bow-and-arrow as her weapon of choice, and her family’s main provider (her father was killed in a mine explosion). By her side is her friend Gale (Miley Cyrus’ new beau, Liam Hemsworth) who accompanies her on hunts and trades with her. At the beginning we see them in the forest talking about the future and Gale mentions running away, but they are drawn back into reality by the fact that the reaping, the ceremony in which the tributes are chosen, is about to take place.

Heading to the ceremony, Katniss’ sister Prim is worried that she will be picked, but Katniss assures her that because this is her first time to be in the drawing that she won’t be picked. Katniss offers Prim a mockingjay pin that she says will protect her. At the reaping, the girl tribute is picked first and of course Prim’s name is called, but Katniss volunteers as tribute to take her place. The boy tribute is Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), a baker’s son who once gave Katniss food when she was hungry. The two are whisked off to the Capitol with words like “may the odds be ever in your favor” looming around them. Excuse me but I pretty sure that there is nothing favorable about being picked to participate in a race in which the whole world gets to watch me potentially die. I’m just sayin’. Upon arriving to the Capitol, Peeta and Katniss are greeted by crowds of colorful people who all look like contestants on Rupaul’s Drag Race and are sent to be washed, waxed and plucked all to appeal to the sponsors who could help them survive the race.

For the pre-Hunger Games ceremonies, Peeta and Katniss are given an entourage of sorts who are there to help guide them and give advice. On the one hand we have Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), a one-time Hunger Games victor and present-day drunk, then we have Effie Trinket (an almost unrecognizable Elizabeth Banks) a Capitol escort whose wardrobe and makeup is a mix of ashy pastels, sheen and little headpieces that could compete with those of a royal wedding (remember the ridiculouslessness of William and Kate’s wedding). We then have Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), my personal favorite of the three, who is Peeta and Katniss’ stylist who helps to turn Katniss into “the girl on fire.”

In addition to those characters, we also have President Snow (Donald Sutherland), head game maker Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley who is from Jonesboro, AR) and then the fabulous and hilarious blue-haired Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci). After Katniss dazzles the crowd during her interview and Peeta reveals his crush on her during his, in efforts to make Katniss look more desirable to sponsors, it’s off to the arena. They enter with no food or weapons (except the mockingjay pin Prim gave back to Katniss to protect her) and must immediately fight each other if they want any. Peeta and Katniss go in different directions and Katniss ends up spending the night in a tree.

Here’s where it gets tricky when it comes to how much I should tell you because a lot happens from this point on. I’ll just say that a lot of people die under varying circumstances, none of which are very favorable. The games are computer programmed and managed so all kinds of unexpected stuff like a forest fire with fireballs just happen. Katniss connects with another tribute name Rue, there may be a little romance Peeta and Katniss and there is a sudden announcement that could change everything. I cannot write another word or I will ruin the whole movie.

I will, however, tell you that I loved the movie. There were some variations that strayed away from the book, but that’s to be expected. Despite how much I liked the film, there was a certain level of fear, suspense and sorrow that just didn’t translate from hardback to big screen. This could be that no director could ever capture the visions I have in my head, or it could be that all the little details that were in the book but necessarily absent from the movie just left me wanting more. Regardless of all that, the movie is still a must see. I mean it has already taken in $155 million in North America (as of my writing this) and that just can’t be ignored, so I give it an 8.5.

It was well made, the acting was great, there was lots of action and it kept my attention the whole time. Can’t wait for the sequel, which is set to be released next November.

This weekend I’ll be seeing Wrath of the Titans, the sequel to Clash of the Titans, with the handsome Sam Worthington. Sequels have a reputation for falling short, so I’ll see how it goes and let you all know.

Until next time,
Raven