The Hunger Games

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  • Opened March 23, 2012 
  • 2 hr 22 min
  • PG-13 | Intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens
  • Parents: Common Sense Media says Iffy for 13+. More on child suitability

  • Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another until one survivor remains. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister's place to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy when she's pitted against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire lives. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love. Full synopsis

  • Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland
  • Director: Gary Ross
  • Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama

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Fans say Go
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Critics say Go
67 out of 100
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Fan Reviews

Must Go!
Not what I expected

by dcp87

As someone following the marketing campaign of the movie, I had an image in my mind of what this movie would be. Having seen it, I have a completely new one and I find that incredibly exciting that...

So-so
A very abridged version of the book :-/

by kristal.matlock

The Hunger Games was a good movie but could have been great! The cast that was picked is excellent and embodies what I pictured in the book well. Where this movie disappointed me was in the...

Go
Good, but had more potential

by paulaarond

For those that have not read the book will find that it is a very good and entertaining movie. For those die hard fans out there, it was exciting to see the book come to life, but the movie left some...

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Critic Reviews

100
New York Daily News
| Joe Neumaier

As tough-spirited as fans would hope for - and exciting and thought-provoking in a way few adventure dramas ever are. Read full review

91
Entertainment Weekly
| Lisa Schwarzbaum

A muscular, honorable, unflinching translation of Collins' vision. It's brutal where it needs to be, particularly when children fight and bleed. Read full review

88
Rolling Stone
| Peter Travers

My advice is to keep your eyes on Lawrence, who turns the movie into a victory by presenting a heroine propelled by principle instead of hooking up with the cutest boy. Read full review

75
NPR
| Bob Mondello

The Hunger Games' pacing is brisk, its stakes as high as stakes get, and its leading lady engaging enough that the odds - at the box office at least - will be ever in its favor. Read full review

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Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and Liam Hemsworth as Gale in "The Hunger Games."