Ann and I caught this one on DVD a few nights ago. I think that Science fiction is such a great genre to communicate moral messages. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this flick. Here are a few of the messages that I liked in it:
1) The triumph of courage and sacrificial love in the face of death.
2) The contrast between corrupt authority and righteous individual power.
3) The toxicity of voyeurism and the heartlessness of reality television.
This movie is targeted at young people and I am so glad that it showcases such a courageous teen heroine. I am wondering where the story will go in future movie releases. On a scale of ten, I give The Hunger Games ★★★★★★★★.
Catch my other mini-reviews by selecting the Movies link in the menu bar above.
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ReplyDeleteNot sure why you comment was removed Debby. Sorry about the problem commenting. I am investigating.
DeleteWhen I went to see this movie I wasn't sure what to expect. I haven't read the books but I loved the movie. Hope to see it again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this Debby.
DeleteI have to admit to being disappointed, Bob. I really can't imagine any story that would justify asking our children to fantasize about killing each other, or especially to give them images from which to imagine. That feeding these images and ideas to our children makes people wealthy discourages me mightily, and that the author considers herself to being doing kids a favor is appalling.
ReplyDeleteHow can a voyeuristic critique of voyeurism hope to do anything but create voyeurs?
I am thinking that you did not see the movie Kevin. I did not find anything in the movie that would solicit fantasizing about killing. If anything it presented a dark view of killing and a discouragement of killing and reality TV. Participation in the Games was compelled and, unlike the Olympics, every eligible young person was forced to compete if their name was picked. In the end the movie presented the triumph of moral virtue over evil.
DeleteI read all three books, including the little author's note, because I had young family reading it. No. I did not see the movie. I cannot imagine the books not soliciting fantasizing about killing, and I don't know how the movies could fail to do so.
DeleteThe Dark Knight (I've not seen Rises) still ranks as the most egregious example of portraying evil in a beautiful way. I'm hating where our society is going with these things, and it seems Hunger Games tries to portray evil in glorious attire. The books are realistic in that Katniss is forever scarred by the poverty in which she was raised, and by the horrors she saw. But the books unsurprisingly demonstrate a brutal cynicism about the evil of *all* governments.
I'm not surprised the movie was enjoyable, but I can't imagine it's doing anything good for us to handle this topic at all.
Thanks for the feedback Kevin. I did not find the movie to portray evil in glorious attire but perhaps the books did (I did not read them).
DeleteScience fiction often presents dark images of governments - I am thinking of the ones in Star Wars Star Trek or more recently "In Time". I'd be interested in hearing you contrast the Star Wars Empire with the government in Hunger Games. Or maybe compare Luke Skywalker with Katness? I think SciFi is such a great way to communicate the battles of good and evil.
I enjoyed this movie so much! I have not read the series yet but plan to do so before the second movie comes out in November. My husband read the series in 6 days. My daughter is reading the second one now. I didn't like the kids killing each other but I agree with your take on the movie. That is how I feel.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this movie so much! I have not read the series yet but plan to do so before the second movie comes out in November. My husband read the series in 6 days. My daughter is reading the second one now. I didn't like the kids killing each other but I agree with your take on the movie. That is how I feel.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback Heather!
Deletewasn't able to watch this movie. got contrasting reviews from friends. now i'm definitely going to catch it on DVD
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think after you see it Rygel.
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