Film Data:
Title: The
Hunger Games
Director: Gary
Ross
Written by:
Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray
Release Date:
March 23, 2012
Budget:
$78,000,000
Gross: $407,999,255
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2hr
22min
Production
Company: Lionsgate, Color Force
Genre:
Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Sound mix:
Dolby Digital, Data Sat, SDDS
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Synopsis:
In a post
apocalyptic world he nation of Panem sits in North America. The country
consists on a wealthy capital and twelve smaller and much poorer districts,
each one having it's own specialty. There used to be thirteen districts but
districts thirteen rebelled against the capital and now as a reminder to it's
citizens of what happens when you try to go against the capital, they host a
televised fight to the death match known as The Hunger Games where 24 tributes
one male and one female from each district- known as tributes- are chosen at
random to fight to the death until only one is standing.
Katniss
Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is a 16 year old girl from district twelve
supporting her mother (Paula Malcomson) and her sister Primrose (Willow
Shields) ; district twelve is the mining district and their father was
tragically killed in a mining accident along with Katniss' friend, Gale
Hawthorne's (Liam Hemsworth) dad. Katniss and gale have taken on the role of
supporting their families by hunting on the other side of a fence outside of
district twelve- which is illegal.
Every
year there is a reaping in which the male and female tributes for The Hunger
Games are chosen. The citizens of each district have the option of entering
their names more times in order to get more rations of food for their families.
Katniss enters her name 20 times while Prim's name is only in there once. Every
district also has the opportunity of volunteering for the games but only richer
districts due this because of the fact that their kids are being trained for
the games since they can walk. At the time of the reaping Prim's name is called
out and Katniss, fearing for her sister's life volunteers to take her place.
The male tribute chosen is Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) a baker's son.
The tributes
from each district are taken to the capital in which they prepare -by training
and tv interviews- to go into the arena. Soon they are all taken inside the
arena but the capital puts in a new set of rules; two winners will be allowed
as long as there are both from the same district. Katniss goes to find Peeta
and together they defy odds and are the only two left in the arena. They wait
for a helicopter to take them from the arena yet no one comes. Another
announcement from the capital stating that the previous rule change has been
revoked and only one winner will be allowed. They both attempt to commit
suicide but before they do the capital pleads them to stop and they both win.
Having defied the capitals wishes Katniss has basically ensued war against the
capital.
Commentary:
For this commentary I
have narrowed it down to three different scenes from the movie that I would like
to focus on. Let’s begin:
This first video comes from one of the first scenes in the movie. This
is a scene showcasing Katniss’ home of District 12. The first thing that was
very evident in this scene were the shaky and quick camera shots; of the boys,
of Katniss running, the miners, the little boy and girl at the door, and the
old man eating from some bones were all quick shots of District 12. This camera
and shot technique makes it evident to the viewer how poor the District is. The
poverty and need is certainty highlighted due to these two things. Another
thing is that the colors are very neutral and muted; there are no “lively”
colors as opposed to some of the Capitol scenes, which further emphasize the
poverty in District 12. The tattered clothes and musical score give off a mood
of sadness and lack of hope.
This next scene is the reaping
scene where two tributes from District 12 will be chosen. I really noticed the
fact that Effie Trinket’s (Elizabeth Bank) bright pink outfit contrasted with
the uniformity of neutrals and whites from District 12. There is a quick crowd
camera shot before settling back onto Effie. The echoing of her microphone
while she is talking emphasizes silence. Then there is a brilliant shot, we see
Effie announce that the female tribute will be chosen. She walks over to the
bowl with the names and there is a shot of her hand in the bowl. We see her
hand circling the bowl before picking a name. This is very similar to that of a
predator circling its prey before attacking.
After that, Prim’s name is called
and there is a look of desperation on her and Katniss’ face. There is a shot of
her tucking in her shirt.
Why would that shot be included in the film? It is
probably to portray the hold that the Capitol has on Panem and that it’s
citizens must look “well kept” even though they’re falling apart. When Katniss
volunteers as tribute and Gale takes Prim away there is a lack of music.
Usually one would hear dramatic music playing in scenes like this but the fact
that no music is playing gives it a more haunted feel. Then Peeta is chosen and
there is a flashback to a scene where it is raining and Katniss is wet in the
rain staring at him. There is a significant change in color; the colors chosen
for the rain scene are very dark blues that help give it a depressed look.
The next scene I want to highlight
is the tribute-scoring scene. The
scene starts with Katniss walking into the game maker’s training arena. The
camera angle is a panned view of the location as Katniss sees it. This is made
evident because her back is given to the camera. A certain mood of intimidation
is given to the viewers with the dark hues of blue/black contrasting with the
bight pink color of the game maker’s area. The camera next shows a low angle
view of a bow and some arrows- Katniss’ weapons of choice from back home when
she would hunt with Gale. The matte silver color of the bow and arrows, give
off a feel of possibility for Katniss and the viewer has hope that she may be
able to prove her skills to the game makers. The game maker’s area shows the
luxury of the capitol and how they “are above” the tributes and other citizens
of Panem. In this scene, they do not even acknowledge Katniss’ presence as she
walks into the room, which shows that they have no regard for them. The costume
choice is over the top and luxurious- just how they are expected to be. (This is a sneak preview at my scene analysis because this the scene I chose to highlight)
There is an obvious political perspective to this film. What happens when a what was once free country is overrun and know its citizens have a lack of freedom? This is a very communist way of thinking. If you try to rebel against the Capitol you are punished and ultimately killed. Every year 24 tributes are placed into the Hunger Games in order to "remember" what happens when you try to go against the capitol like District 13. This is further emphasized throughout by the lavishness of the Capitol in contrast to the poverty in all the districts. Overall this movie is a brilliant piece of work. Everything from the camera shots to the music are perfectly placed which just add to the richness and brilliance of the film.
