‘The Hunger Games’: You’ll Hunger for the Games

Why make one movie when you can whack a book in half, and make two?
Mark Jackson
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Why make one movie when you can whack a book in half, and make two?

“Twilight” and “Harry Potter” whacked their last books into two movies, and “The Hobbit” got whacked three times. More money! There’s nothing wrong with it, really—you can pack in more detail. Good storytelling is good storytelling.

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” is the first movie of the last book of the hugely popular Suzanne Collins’ trilogy. Problem is, “Part 1” is not particularly good storytelling.

Article Quote: 'The Hunger Games': You'll Hunger For the Games

Here’s the main thing: there’s no more actual Hunger Games. The games are gone. No more outdoors-y, stalking through booby-trapped woods, computerized-weather, and “Tracker Jacker” fun stuff.

This is a dark, somewhat claustrophobic, indoors grimy-bunker, and bombed-rubble flick. So the title will be misleading for the non-aware, non-Games fan.

It’s now a revolution movie. It’s about the 99-percenters out in the Districts, in revolt, trying to take down the Capitol and that dastardly snake, President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Which is not a bad objective. His arch manner and arched eyebrows are so annoying. He’s got to go.

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. (Murray Close/Lionsgate)
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. Murray Close/Lionsgate
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
Mark Jackson is the chief film critic for The Epoch Times. In addition to film, he enjoys martial arts, motorcycles, rock-climbing, qigong, and human rights activism. Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic.
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