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Created Apr 01, 2012 10:21AM PST • Edited Apr 01, 2012 10:21AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   I haven’t been this happy about a sci fi movie in a long time, and walked away from the theater thoroughly impressed. Don’t be dissuaded by some negative reviews comparing this to the books. I didn’t read the books, so I didn’t care and was thoroughly entertained.

   HG takes us to a future world, where 12 member districts each need to contribute a boy and a girl to the annual “hunger games” where competition is to the death, and only one survives. The world is built around a high degree of social engineering, all to provide entertainment to the masses and keep the peace.

   Don’t underestimate the deep emotion that comes from watching kids be put through what essentially amounts to torture; and as you watch your favorites fight for survival. The film also does a great job of creating a parody of the modern world’s need for ever more dramatic entertainment. All in all, a very well done movie and top notch entertainment.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Jennifer Lawrence first impressed me in ‘Winter’s Bone’, and she really deserved the leading role. However, she’s more of a strong-silent type in Hunger Games, emphasis on the silent. Although it worked well – It wasn’t exactly a showcase of acting talent. Loved Stanley Tucci as the overly-veneered MC of the carnage, and Wes Bentley gets a nod as the social engineering master. Elizabeth banks was perfect in her role of the dolled-up spokeswoman from district 12, and Donald Sutherland could have sleepwalked through his role as the evil-minded president. And, if you are paying attention, you Lenny Kravitz fans will be happy with his minor role as mentory/image-maker. Finally, kudos to Woody Harrelson as the boozing yet wise mentor.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    Sci Fi movies – which center around a commentary on society are tough to pull off. However, HG pulls it off in spades. A gripping story, very good acting, and great filming turns HG into a winner.

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

12. Play Really Great 4.5

13. Music Really Great 4.5

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 3.5

    Yeah, watching kids kill each-other isn’t for the faint of heart.

17. Sex Erotic 3.5

18. Violence Brutal 3.5

19. Rudeness Profane 3.5

21. Reality

    Fantasy 4.2

22. Circumstantial Fantasy 4.2

23. Biological Fantasy 4.2

24. Physical Fantasy 4.2