Set in a dystopian future in which the wealthy control the poor, in the starving districts of postapocalyptic Panem, aka America, Suzanne Collins' trilogy of young adult novels has at its core the resourceful, intelligent, and fierce femininity of Katniss Everdeen. The action here hews bone-close to the source material, and Jennifer Lawrence feels perfectly cast as Katniss, one of two teens from the Appalachian-looking District 12 chosen to compete in the Hunger Games. Suffice it to say that the state, in order to control the masses, annually sets a gaggle of young people against one another in a fight to the death while broadcasting the whole nightmarish ordeal live. The Hunger Games is first and foremost an adventure/survival story, and director Ross keeps things moving accordingly. YA novel-to-screen adaptations rarely get it right the first time, but The Hunger Games is a welcome (and seriously kickass) exception to that rule.
D: Gary Ross; with Jennifer Lawrence.
Opened 03/23/12
