The Hunger Games is a 2012 American science fiction adventure film directed by Gary Ross and produced by Nina Jacobson and John Kilik. The screenplay was written by Suzanne Collins, Gary Ross and Billy Ray and is based on the book ‘The Hunger Games’ by Suzanne Collins.
Rated: PG-13 (movie contains intense sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images and violent thematic material)
Run Time: 2h 22min
Release Date: March 23, 2012 (USA)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Director: Gary Ross
Studio: Lionsgate Films
The Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence, Stanley Tucci, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Lenny Kravitz, Wes Bentley, Willow Shields, Sandra Ellis Lafferty, Rhoda Griffis and Sam Claffin.
The Hunger Games is the story of Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and her family that live in District 12 which is one of 13 different sectors of the nation of Panem. Each year the 12 districts of Panem are forced by the Capitol to participate in the games. As punishment for a past rebellion, each district is required to select two tributes, one boy and one girl between age 12 and 18 to represent their district in the annual Hunger Games.
During the games, all 24 tributes representing the 12 individual districts are placed together into an elaborate arena to fight each other to the death until their is only one survivor. That person is crowned the victor and their prize is to live a life of luxury in their districts Champions Village.
During District 12’s annual tribute selection process, Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) a representative from the Capitol draws the names of two eligible residents of District 12 through a lottery system. The first name selected is Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcheson) whose family owns the local bakery shop. The second name drawn is Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields) who is Katniss’ younger sister and just 12 years old. Upon her selection, Katniss volunteers to take her younger sisters place to represent District 12 in the games.
Meanwhile, Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) is the district drunkard and is a previous victor in the games for District 12. He is assigned to be a mentor for Peeta and Katniss to prepare them for the games. Once the tributes are chosen they say goodbye to their families and they along with their chaperone Effie and mentor Haymitch get escorted to the Capitol. They get to travel on a high speed luxury train to begin preparations for the opening ceremony and train for the games.
The Hunger Games is a big production event viewed by every citizen of Panem. As a result, each of the districts gets a wardrobe and makeup team and their backstories are developed and polished and skills honed during the days leading up to the games. Each districts representatives get costumes that represent something about their district. The night before the games begin, the Opening Ceremony is hosted by Caeser Flickerman (Stanley Tucci). With his usual dramatic flair, Caesar interviews each of the tributes and shows compelling footage while introducing them to the citizens of Panem. The pomp and circumstance is taken to other levels throughout the elaborate ceremony and the next day they are placed into battle in the arena with everything televised for all of Panem to watch.
Movie Quotes
“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor” – Effie Trinket
“I’m not very good at making friends.” – Katniss Everdeen
“Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of home is dangerous.” – President Snow
“I just keep wishing I could think of a way to show them that they don’t own me. You know, if I’m gonna die, i wanna still be me.” – Peeta Mellark
Official Movie Trailer
Movie Stars
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman
Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket
Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy
Donald Sutherland as President Snow
Lenny Kravitz as Cinna
Wes Bentley as Seneca Crane
Willow Shields as Primrose ‘Prim’ Everdeen
Sandra Ellis Lafferty as Hob Vendor
Sam Claffin as Finnick Odair
Rhoda Griffis as Registration Woman