Giving justice to the book

MANILA, Philippines - It is really quite easy to describe the plot of The Hunger Games the novel by Suzanne Collins lately turned motion picture. It is about people in a reality TV competition. Not much different from Survivor or Iron Chef. Unlike these, however, anybody who loses or gets voted off in the games, dies. A contestant must kill all his rivals one by one in order to win. At the end with everyone dead, the champion stands alone, winner of the grand prize… and this is, ta da!!! freedom from hunger for the rest of his life.

Collins drew inspiration for her story from the gladiator fights in the arena in ancient Rome and the Greek legend of the minotaur wherein young men and girls are sacrificed to appease the cow-headed creature. She gave this a modern day spin by setting the story in an unknown future where barbaric oligarchs make poor kids the Tributes who will do battle in the Games.

The Hunger Games is set in Panem, a new nation that rose out of a United States that was destroyed by civil war. The resulting wealth gap has given rise to a huge poverty stricken population and a small sadistic ruling class. To keep the people quiet and entertained, the games, are held every year. Each of Panem’s twelve districts sends in a boy and a girl aged 12 to 18 chosen by lot to compete.

Among these is 12-year-old Primrose Everdeen, who still a child is obviously is not likely to survive the contest. Her older sister Katniss, a skilled hunter who has fed her family with game most of her life volunteers to take her place. She goes off to the Capitol where all of the Tributes get make-overs and are presented to the people on television much like what happens when American Idol is promoting its contestants. How ironic that they are being primed for death.

I admit that people have been known to kill for food. This is a fact, although freedom from hunger is acknowledged as one of man’s basic rights. Still I shudder at the thought that somebody has imagined a future where kids are made to kill each other to eat and for spectator sport much like those roosters in cockfights. Worse, the book by Collins is a big seller and the movie is a huge hit at the box-office.

It is difficult for me to be impartial about my dread of such a situation. I admit that to this day I still find the ideas put forth in Logan’s Run and Soylent Green, reprehensible. So you can just imagine what I think of The Hunger Games. Still, although too brutal for my taste, it is a well-made, enjoyable film that does justice to the book.

Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket (left) and Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss in a scene from the film

There are instances when director Gary Ross, whose work in Pleasantville and Dave, I liked very much, fell prey to the common mistake of directors adapting a popular material. He presumed too much and left unanswered questions. That is a problem for those who have not read the book. I say start reading now the better to enjoy this movie. But Ross still did a great job and will surely be back for the next two films of the series.

The Hunger Games is well-acted, beautifully photographed and filled with thrilling action scenes. Lots of cheers too to Ross for keeping the gore down while still being honest with the savagery. There is also has an excellent, very pop soundtrack. No wonder the movie instantly won the approval of the many fans of the series.

Then it has given birth to a new star in the beautiful Jennifer Lawrence, who I am sure will still be Katniss in the next films. She is a wonderful actress whose portrayal became the heart of the movie. It is through her that we experience the lessons in this parable. We feel the stark existence in Panem. We laugh at the ridiculous privileged creatures of the capitol. And we experience the stirrings of romance. Too bad these feelings are for somebody she might have to kill if he does not get her first.

And speaking of romance, the picture has also introduced two new heartthrobs, Liam Hemsworth who plays the daring Gale and Josh Hutcherson as the dependable baker boy Peeta. Bye bye Edward. Bye bye Jacob.

The thing that I am really happy about Hunger Games though is that like its predecessors, the, Harry Potter and Twilight, series, it has reintroduced reading as a cool activity. The thought of all those hours spent with the book and away from the computer by kids around the world is really something to rejoice about.

Truth to tell, I would much rather have them read the classics to improve their sensibilities instead of imagining a future ruled by a blood-thirsty establishment and lived in front of the camera.

I say watch The Hunger Games but make sure that the kids know that this is just fiction and not much different from the wizards and goblins of Harry Potter and the vampires and werewolves of Twilight.

But it looks real? Maybe. Is there a possibility of a dystopian world like Panem in our future? Maybe. Scary thought. Then maybe we, and those who will come after us can just make sure it does not happen.