I'm ashamed to admit this as I usually try not to fall for the hype when it comes to books, movies etc... but I caved and read the Hunger Games and went to go and see the movie last night. True to form, the book was better. Everyone was raving about how wonderful the movie was and some even saw it more than once over the weekend. Sure, I wanted to see the movie, but wasn't about to plan my whole weekend existence around show times at a theater.
I knew after reading the back book cover that the story was dark and depressing. Kids are chosen at random to fight to the death and only one winner? C'mon... a little much don't you think? Seems like a kiddy version of Gladiators. The book and movie was definitely geared towards a younger audience. Though I never got into the Twilight Series (and WONT!) I saw a lot of similarities just within it's marketing and publicity. Now, I'm sure I am going to be chastised for saying this let alone thinking it, but I wasn't all that impressed with the movie. In fact, I was really rather appalled that it was only rated PG 13. It was probably the most violent PG 13 movie I've ever seen. Though there wasn't necessarily strong language, the fact that there are 12-18 year olds killing each other was a bit much for me to stomach. I scanned across the theater and noticed that the average age was high school/early college. They were kids there to watch kids kill kids. Heart breaking.
Unfortunately we live in a world where not only sex sells, but so does violence. But now we have reached a whole new level of violence... kids on kids. I'm not ok with this. Yes, it's only a book and make believe but I would be interested to sit down and have a talk with Ms. Suzanne Collins and try to understand what she was thinking when she wrote this book. Though I'm sure she never imagined it would ever become a movie, the whole concept and story line of the book is so dark. Was she just trying to sell a story or is there something deeper than her fiction?
2 comments:
I loved the book and loved the movie...I think there are darker films out there...like battle royale which has the same idea, however the kids have no idea what they're in for.
I agree it's a dark topic, but what I like about it is that the kids involved are fighting for change, I like what the first book and movie spark and how it's viewed as a disgusting thing that everyone at the capitol sees this as entertainment.
Good comments and glad to hear your thoughts on Hunger Games. I haven't read the book or seen the movie, but from what I've heard you say and others who have seen it, I'm saddened to think of teenagers and young adults also being desensitized to this kind of idea and violence. Again, thanks for your comments!
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