A Discovery Most Surprising (Movie Review)

Something most unexpected happened.

You see, I never intended to watch or read The Hunger Games. I really had no desire to watch a movie in which teens were forced to kill each other. I knew there was a point, that the story was a societal reflection. After seeing part of the movie on TV, I knew that was quite enough for me. It didn't look all that cinematiclly great even.

But then I started hearing more about Catching Fire, the second movie. A friend of mine loved it, a cousin bashed the first movie but praised the second one, Plugged In movie reviews had positive things to say, another sweet conservative blogger discouraged the first movie and applauded the second. And okay......I also found out about a character introduced in the second movie that intrigued me.

I didn't want any surprises though. I must have read the Plugged In review and Wikia articles about half a dozen times, including finding out the ending of the last book. Some people would tisk at this, but I really can't handle suspense, especially with a story I'm uncertain of.

So I watched it. And it was really, really good.

Instead of teens caught in gladiatorial arena for the amusement of twisted aristocrats, we have former victors--broken, bitter adults--forced back into the games when they've been guaranteed safety for life--and they are angry. Very angry. And there are some that are determined that this Games will go differently. Instead of just desperate survival, we discover unexpected sacrifice, courage, and heroism. A rebellion is rising against the tyranny of the Capitol, against the sadistic President Snow, and they have found their leader in Katniss Everdeen.

This movie isn't for young viewers. It tackles a very grim story, but it handles it with thoughtfulness and respect. It's not an entertainment for the viewers, though sadly this world still treats it as such. There is violence, cruelty, some language (included a bleeped out profanity), there's a scene where it is inferred someone strips down (though this is viewed as awkward and uncomfortable), and the whole thing is tense, tense, tense.

I figured I could wait till the DVD came out for Mockingjay: Part 1. I was wrong. Saw it in theaters just the other day. While even more grim, it was also the cleanest and most emotionally inspiring. I mean, it was a really powerful story of people coming together to fight against terrible evil, no matter if they might die.

The story does cast a very interesting reflection on our society, rather sadly enforced by the way our own culture and media responds to the actors and story as little more than entertainment. Instead of taking the typical YA route of "hot" characters, it showed the damaging and abusive effects on the people who are so idolized.

It's the characters who really make this series. Katniss, incredibly portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, is a compelling combination of strength and brokenness. Our heroes, Peeta and Gale, are strong, admirable men. I understand the problem with love triangles, but this is probably the most believable and best one I've seen. Katniss obviously loves Peeta, but her friendship with Gale pushes her to try (mistakenly) to help him and herself feel better with romance, but this clearly isn't good for any of them. Not everyone in the Capitol is evil, nor is everyone from the rebellion perfect. Not everyone can be judged by their appearance or position as best shown by the foppish stylist, Effie Trinket or the Capital heartthrob, Finnick Odair. I've also read parts of the second and third books, and it brings more understanding of the characters and events, though I do think the movies are better story-wise.

So have you been interested in this series, but really didn't want to watch a bunch of kids die for sport? My advice--don't watch the first one. Look it up on Wikipedia or something. It was made on a lower budget anyway.

Now Part 2, the finale, will be coming out this year, and it has me nervous, to say the least. The ending is a bit of a downer in the book, but it wasn't as bad as I'd feared. A lot more characters survive than I expected, but the two who die are rather devastating. But nonetheless, I'm glad I watched this series. It's a very interesting study on humanity, revolution, and love.