The Hunger Games

Well, I finally got my ass back in a theater this weekend after a couple weeks of non-theater going to celebrate Jesus, or something.

I actually started Easter Sunday by putting on The Passion of the Christ at 8:30 a.m. because I know how much Katy loves that movie (she doesn't). Upon regaining consciousness, we headed over to the theater for a 12:15 showing of The Hunger Games. I must say, there's something about going to a movie at 12 in the afternoon that makes me feel like I'm accomplishing much more than I really am.

Anywho, I'd have to say that overall, I liked the movie. Well, more than liked, but definitely not loved.

The absolute best thing about The Hunger Games is Jennifer Lawrence. I must admit that I didn't understand all the hoopla surrounding Lawrence these past few years. Her performances in Winter's Bone and X-Men:First Class were OK at best and there's just something about her face that weirds me out. However, her Katniss Everdeen is both moving and convincing. I didn't doubt for a second that this character would volunteer herself over her little sister in order to protect her. It's a moment that defines the character as a whole, and if done poorly would have sunk the entire movie. But Lawrence nails it, and the movie is better because of her. There is one moment in particular where Katniss is moments away from starting the games and we see her absolutely terrified. There is almost no dialogue in this scene, just her reaction. Fantastic.

Surrounding Lawrence is an impressive list of familiar faces like Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland and even a little bit of Lenny Kravits thrown in just for good measure. Each one of them brings a little extra spice to the proceedings without ever taking the limelight away from our heroine. In fact, the only performer who comes even remotely close to doing so is Josh Hutcherson, who plays Peeta, a boy from her district who was 'chosen' to play in the games. Hutcherson has been around for a little while now, mostly in movies that I either didn't see or didn't care to see, but he acquits himself nicely here, enough so that I'll definitely be keeping an eye for what he chooses from here.

The main problem I have with the movie though, is director Gary Ross. Actually, its not the director himself, he directed Pleasantville and Seabiscuit, both of which I love. It's a few of his choices here that really keep me from loving the movie, or rather one big choice. His documentary like approach, or "shaky cam" as some call it, is distracting almost to a point of no return. I get the idea behind, I guess. It's supposed to represent the chaotic and frenetic feeling Katniss feels once she is thrown into this situation, but man, it just does not work. Director Ross has some great actors doing great work with a lot of great production design and scenery, but I felt like I couldn't see shit half the time. It only gets worse once the actual games begins, because being a PG-13 movie, one can't actually show children brutally killing each other, so Ross turns the shaky cam up to 11. It's a decision that doesn't completely ruin the movie, but it most definitely does not help.

Another thing, at 142 minutes, not only is this movie long, but it feels that way quite often. Normally I don't mind a movie taking its time, but there was probably at least 10 minutes that could have been cut. Maybe not entire scenes, but moments here and there to help the pace a bit.

It may not sound like it, but I really did enjoy this movie, especially Lawrence's work. I think I'm being hard on it because there is definitely a chance that this franchise can be great. Even with his terrible camera choices, director Ross has done a great job doing the hardest part of any potential franchise;He laid the ground work, he established the world and the characters and most of all, he left me wanting more. Even if Ross doesn't direct any of the sequels as is being reported, he left it open for someone to come in and hit the ground running much like Chris Columbus did with the first two Harry Potter films.

Time will tell, I spose.


This Sunday I plan on seeing Titanic is IMAX 3D. I am seriously excited about this.

Until next time, dudes, suck it.