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Mar 22, 2012 By Laura Studarus Web Exclusive

Sometime in the not-so-distant future, North America is taken over by the nation of Panem. A malevolent society, once a year, Panem forces each of its 12 districts to send one boy and one girl into The Hunger Games—a nationally televised piece of propaganda where the “Tributes” fight each to the death until there is one survivor. In outlying District 12, Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields) is chosen for the “honor”—saved only by the sacrificial love of her older sister Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) who volunteers to go in her place.

Of course, you probably already know all this. A publishing phenomenon with over 26 million copies in print, The Hunger Games trilogy seemed bound to become a film from day one. Despite the books’ popularity, The Hunger Games series contains an incredibly difficult story to get right—their over-the-top elements (Exotic fashions! Kids killing kids! Overbearing talk show hosts!) ripe to become parodies of themselves.

Rest easy…this is not the case. The capital city stretches sky-high, the games still hold a fair amount of explosions, and Effie Trinket’s cotton candy-colored hair is as big has readers have imagined. But director Gary Ross (Pleasantville, Seabiscuit) is less interested in the trappings of the larger-than-life story and more about the emotional struggles of his heroine. Yes, necks are snapped, spears are chucked, and the underage body count piles up well past double-digits. But the camera never lingers on the carnage, opting instead to focus on the numb-to-everything-but-survival reactions of Katniss. While the decision is most likely motivated by filmmakers’ desire to obtain a teen-friendly PG-13, it’s a wise one, creating a sense of intimacy in an otherwise epic tale.

Ross allows his young actors to carry the bulk of the action, viewing their shifts in weight, clenched jaws or, in the case of Katiniss—stunned lack of emotion— through POV shots and handheld, documentary-style cameras. Much attention was paid during the casting to Jennifer Lawrence—who critics deemed too old, too busty, too glam. It’s a pleasure to note that Lawrence acquits herself nicely, playing a girl who, despite strong connections to her sister and competitor-turned-friend Rue (the angelic Amandla Stenberg), has a hard time faking romantic affections for fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). By the film’s end its difficult to imagine to imagine anyone but Lawrence as Katniss, her Winter’s Bone-grit turned up to full volume.

While the casting benefits from one smart decision after another (including comic relief Elizabeth Banks, who all but chews the scenery as Effie Trinket), it’s Lenny Kravitz as Katniss’ games-stylist Cinna who truly impresses. A compassionate soul in gold eyeliner, Cinna’s acts as a parental figure for Katniss, delivering her much needed hope even as his heart breaks for the girl he cannot save.

Once the tributes enter the ring (well into the film’s second hour) all hell expectedly breaks loose. It’s here the film earns its teeth, as Katniss is forced to weigh her desire to survive with maintaining her humanity. While her choices won’t come as much of a surprise to ardent fans, the sheer grace of cast and crew assures The Hunger Games will be remembered as a standout, popcorn morality tale.

(www.facebook.com/thehungergamesmovie)

Author rating: 8/10