Last weekend, “The Hunger Games” quickly became the latest franchise craze among young adults. Unlike other films adaptations such as “Twilight,” this film is not limited to an age specific demographic and offers a strong and intelligent heroine, gritting fight scenes and clever social commentary about reality television.
The film, adapted from Suzanne Collins’ novel, takes place in a dystopian America where the totalitarian government forces children to fight to the death for food every year in a reality show called “The Hunger Games.” The movie follows Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), who volunteers in the place of her sister and her fellow competitor Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) as they train and compete in the completion.
Scriptwriters Gary Ross, Billy Ray and Collins do an amazing job adapting the novel without being too faithful to the source material that would have alienated those who have not read the book. The highlight of the script is Collins’s brilliant commentary about reality television; the film demonstrates how producers manipulate footage to create situations, such as a romance, to entertain their audience.  
In addition to a solid script, top-notch performances fill the film. Lawrence’s Katniss is a brave and smart young woman whose ability to show compassion and vulnerability and hold on to her morals during the games is a rarity. Not since Wonder Woman’s creation in the 1930s have young girls had a worthy role model to idolize. Also, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci and Woody Harrelson give the absurdity of “The Hunger Games” a human face and add the much needed comic relief to the dark material in the film.
The film’s set and costume direction help define the complex world of “The Hunger Games;” from the affluent Capitol filled with colorful costumes and modern architecture to Katniss’ poverty stricken District 12 in the Appalachian Mountains. However, the only drawback is the cinematography as the shaking camera movements and quick cuts during the gritty arena scenes distract from the action leaving the audience confused.
Overall, “The Hunger Games” is a thought-provoking film that forces its audience to think about the entertainment they consume, in which the entire family can enjoy together.
“The Hunger Games” is rated PG-13 for violence and is currently in theaters.