MOVIES - The Hunger Games- Gary Ross (3/21/2012)

The Hunger Games- Gary Ross (3/21/2012)

The Hunger Games is a 2012 American science fiction adventure film directed by Gary Ross, based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins. It is the first installment in The Hunger Games film series. The film was produced by Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, with a screenplay by Ross, Collins, and Billy Ray. It stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland and Willow Shields.[5] The story takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in the nation of Panem, where certain boys and girls between the ages of 12 and 18 must participate in the Hunger Games, a televised annual event in which the "tributes" are required to fight to the death until there is one remaining victor. Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the games. Joined by her district's male tribute Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson), Katniss travels to the Capitol to train for the Hunger Games under the guidance of former victor Haymitch Abernathy (Harrelson).

The Hunger Games received positive reviews, with praise for its themes and messages, as well as Lawrence's portrayal of Katniss. Like the novel, the film has attracted criticism for its similarities to other works, such as the Japanese novel Battle Royale, its film adaptation, and the Shirley Jackson short story "The Lottery." Collins' novel and screenplay drew on sources of inspiration such as the myth of Theseus, Roman gladiatorial games, reality television, and the desensitization of viewers to media coverage of real-life tragedy and war, not to think as just an audience member, "Because those are real people on the screen, and they’re not going away when the commercials start to roll.

Cast:

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark

Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy

Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket

Lenny Kravitz as Cinna

Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman

Donald Sutherland as President Coriolanus Snow

Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane

Amandla Stenberg as Rue

Alexander Ludwig as Cato

Isabelle Fuhrman as Clove

Jack Quaid as Marvel

Leven Rambin as Glimmer

Toby Jones as Claudius Templesmith

Dayo Okeniyi as Thresh

Jacqueline Emerson as Foxface

Paula Malcomson as Mrs. Everdeen

Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen