The Hunger Games (2012)

Director: Gary Ross (1)

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence (2), Josh Hutcherson (3), Liam Hemsworth (4), Woody Harrelson (5), Elizabeth Banks (6), Stanley Tucci (7), and Donald Sutherland (8)

(Watch the trailer)

My favourite quotes – “Okay, listen to me, you're stronger than they are. You are. They just want a good show, that's all they want. You know how to hunt. Show them how good you are.” and “Hope, it is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective; a lot of hope is dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained.”

Did you know? - The film is an adaptation of the book of the same name written by Suzanne Collins. The author has stated that the inspiration for The Hunger Games came from channel surfing on television. On one channel she observed people competing on a reality show and on another she saw footage of the invasion of Iraq. The two "began to blur in this very unsettling way" and the idea for the book was formed. The Greek myth of Theseus served as a major basis for the story, with Collins describing Katniss as a futuristic Theseus, and Roman glasiatorial games provided the framework.

When I first watched this film, I felt so angry and sad for the tributes of The Hunger Games. Considering that the Paralympics is coming up soon in London and the Olympic Games just passed, watching this film creates a strange juxtaposition in my mind. During the times of the ancient Olympic Games, athletes would be allowed to safely travel to and from the games under the Olympic Truce. And people competed in games to prove their country's prowess instead of killing each other in war. And yet, in The Hunger Games, children are sent to a fight to the death to remind each district of the suffering and loss of war!??!! What a load of BS! The world of Panem is definitely a dystopian one thats for sure! The Hunger Games is a punishment and a show of dominance over the districts, plain and simple. 

Reality TV. I work in the entertainment industry, so this television format is something I am accustomed to. Then why is it that I feel disgusted by the audience that enjoy such sport in the Capitol? Granted I don't work in an industry that encourages children killing other children in a gladiator-like arena, but still, aren't we all a society that enjoys watching others embarrass themselves on television?

Gale Hawthorne: What if they did? Just one year. What if everyone just stopped watching?

Katniss Everdeen: They won't, Gale.

Gale Hawthorne: What if they did? What if we did?

Katniss Everdeen: Won't happen.

Gale Hawthorne: Root for your favorite, cry when they get killed. It's sick.

Katniss Everdeen: Gale.

Gale Hawthorne: No one watches and they don't have a game. It's as simple as that... what?

Katniss Everdeen: Nothing.

Gale Hawthorne: Fine. Laugh at me.

Katniss Everdeen: I'm not laughing at you!

When I was studying in Australia, Big Brother is a hugely popular reality television show where the last one standing in the Big Brother house would win cash prize and other prizes like a car. In Big Brother, the audience vote people out and keep people in. In The Hunger Games, the audience sponsor individuals when they feel the inclinations to based on how they fare in the games itself. And when the game master speaks to the tributes through the intercom in a God-like manner, it reminds me of big brother's voice in the reality television program Big Brother. The most embarrassing thing is, I actually loved watching Big Brother. I loved watching it because I enjoyed trying to understand or predict the social behaviours of the public in relation to the actions and words of the contestants on the show. I also enjoyed watching the backstabbing, the bitching, the romances, and the games on the show. 

Think about Survivor, short of killing each other, the setting of the Hunger Games is eerily close to those of the hugely popular reality television show Survivor. In Survivor, the participants vote to eliminate another, sometimes the decision is based on strategy, sometimes based on personal preference. Sometimes even within a group, alliances are made and broken. Besides a matter of life and death, is there a difference between Survivor and The Hunger Games? Not much difference once again. 

Kill or be killed. It's really easy to say that. We also often hear the phrase, "Hey, its a dog eat dog world" being used. But when push comes to shove and if the time ever came when you have to seriously consider the possibility of killing someone else to survive would you be able to do it? War is that isn't it? War forces an otherwise normal person to kill another human being in order to survive. I hope I never had to witness a society where killing another human being becomes a sport or a necessity. 

The Hunger Games is a film that affects me greatly because it is portrayed as a reality television show. I can imagine myself in the shoes of the game makers, messing with the fates of those inside the arena. And it upsets me. But, it is because I can get behind the minds of the game makers that I can understand the film on a different level. The need to give the audience a good show. That is why the quote "Okay, listen to me, you're stronger than they are. You are. They just want a good show, that's all they want. You know how to hunt. Show them how good you are.” and the dialogue above affects me the most in the entire film. 

To be honest, this film has a lot it wants to say, and it says it well. Besides being an extreme outlook on the world of entertainment and the nature of the audience, it also talks about politics and morality. Will you kill another to save your own? Will you kill for sport? The question doesn't just ask if you can kill another, but will you kill another if it meant your own survival? In times of war, one doesn't have a choice, so you are forced to kill to stay alive. However, the innocent victims of war isn't always just confined to the soldiers. The women and children caught in the crossfire and the children of Panem are the ones who have to pay the ultimate prize. 

Needless to say, this film affected me greatly in more ways than one. Poverty, morality, politicking, values of entertainment and in the entertainment business, these are the themes in the movie that made me stop to think and question myself about my own stand. 

But let's stay on point in regards to the film. The actors did a really good job in the film. I was very very impressed by Elizabeth Banks, although the costume and make up helped transform her and made her unrecognizable to me as Elizabeth Banks, it was her performance that floored me. 

Of the three young leads in the film, while I think Jennifer Lawrence did a fantastic job in the film, it is actually Josh Hutcherson's performance that impressed me most. Perhaps it was his role that allowed him to showcase a range of emotions but regardless, I felt he did a really good job. I have been watching him grow up through his films like Zathura, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant and The Kids Are Alright and looking at his body of work at his age, I think he's doing a pretty darn amazing job. Jennifer Lawrence also did a great job as Katniss and I'm anxiously waiting to see more of her on screen. In my books, I guess she lost out to Josh Hutcherson only because I've seen his improvement over the years and have more to compare with. Or maybe it's just that I was already very impressed with her performance in X-Men: First Class that I expected more from her. Liam Hemsworth didn't have much to work with in this film, but I've got my eye on him and think he's got great potential to deliver great work. 

In all, while The Hunger Games made me upset, mostly because of its serious and depressing themes, it is a film I would watch over and over again. 

(1) Gary Ross has directed films like Pleasantville (1998), Seabiscuit (2003), and The Tale of Despereaux (2008). He was also the writer of the films Big (1988) and Lassie (1994).

(2) Jennifer Lawrence has acted in films like Winter's Bone (2010), Like Crazy (2011), and X-Men: First Class (2011).


(3) Josh Hutcherson has acted in films like Little Manhattan (2005), Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005), Bridge To Terabithia (2007), Journey To The Centre Of The Earth (2008), Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009), The Kids Are Alright (2010), Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) and Red Dawn (2012). 

(4) Liam Hemsworth has acted in films like The Last Song (2010), Love And Honor (2012),  and The Expendables 2 (2012), Empire State (2013), Paranoia (2013) and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013).

(5) Woody Harrelson has acted in films like Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme (1990), Indecent Proposal (1993), Natural Born Killers (1994), The Thin Red Line (1998), Anger Management (2003), North Country (2005), No Country For Old Men (2007), Seven Pounds (2008), The Messenger (2009), Zombieland (2009), 2012 (2009), and Friends With Benefits (2011).

(6) Elizabeth Banks has acted in films like Spider-Man (2002), Catch Me If You Can (2002), Daredevil (2003), Seabiscuit (2003), Spider-Man 2 (2004), The Sisters (2005), The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), Spider-Man 3 (2007), Definitely, Maybe (2008), Zack And Miri Make A Porno (2008), W. (2008), Man On A Ledge (2012), What To Expect When You're Expecting (2012), People Like Us (2012), Pitch Perfect (2012), Movie 43 (2013), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), and The Lego Movie (2014). She has also acted as Dr. Kim Briggs in the television series Scrubs and as Avery Jessup in 30 Rock. She has also guest starred in television series like Sex & The City, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Without A Trace, and Modern Family.

(7) Stanley Tucci has acted in films like Beethoven (1992), The Pelican Brief (1993), A Life Less Ordinary (1997), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999), America's Sweethearts (2001), Road To Perdition (2002), Maid In Manhattan (2002), The Core (2003), The Terminal (2004), Shall We Dance? (2004), Lucky Number Slevin (2006), The Devil Wears Prada (2006),  Julie & Julia (2009), The Lovely Bones (2009), Easy A (2010), Burlesque (2010), Margin Call (2010), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Gambit (2012), and Percy Jackson: Sea Monsters (2013). He has also voiced the character of Herb Copperbottom in the animation Robots (2005) and Boldo in the animation film The Tale of Despereaux (2008).

(8) Donald Sutherland has acted in films like Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978), Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992), Six Degrees Of Separation (1993), Outbreak (1995),  The Italian Job (2003),  Cold Mountain (2003), Pride And Prejudice (2005), Fool's Gold (2008), The Eagle (2011), Horrible Bosses (2011), and Moby Dick (2011). 




The Eclectic Reviewer thinks… The Hunger Games hits close to home because I can relate to the "gods that be" who control the fates of the tributes. But it is a great film with much to say about society today. Look closely at the subtext in the film. How it relates to our lives today. Because we can so easily connect with its themes and the various individuals portrayed in the film, it makes the film so very real. You will find that there are so many things that we take for granted today and that makes me ashamed. And that is disconcerting. But it will remind me of what I have and to be grateful for them. (4.2 of 5)

* Movie Poster from Wikipedia

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The Expendables 2 (2012)

Director: Simon West (1)

Cast: Sylvester Stallone (2), Jason Statham (3), Jet Li (4), Dolph Lundgren (5), Chuck Norris (6), Jean-Claude Van Damme (7), Bruce Willis (8), Arnold Schwarzenegger (9), Randy Couture (10), Terry Crews (11), Liam Hemsworth (12), and Yu Nan (13)

(Watch the trailer)

My favourite dialogue – 

Trench: I’m out of ammo. I’ll be back.

Church: You’ve been back enough. I’ll be back!

Barney: I heard you got bitten by a king cobra.

Booker: Yeah, but after several days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

Did you know? - Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren graduated with a master's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney, finishing with the highest results in his class. During his time in Sydney, he earned a living as a bouncer in a nightclub at the infamous King’s Cross. He was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1983. However, while preparing for the move to Boston, he was spotted in the nightclub he worked at in Sydney and was hired by Grace Jones as a bodyguard. He fell in love with Jones and their relationship developed dramatically, moving with her to New York City.

To fully enjoy The Expendables 2, one, you must leave logic outside the cinema doors, two, know your classic action movies well, three, read up about the actors in the film - briefly at least, wikipedia would do just fine, and most importantly, you must have a good sense of humor. Watching the first movie The Expendables is not a must, but highly suggested. That way, you will get a better feel of the recurring actors. 

I am not often a fan of action movies and don't wait for one to be released and watch it just when it opens in the cinema. But The Expendables 2 is different. I loved the first film and I was literally counting down the days to the opening of the film. And I loved it! 

I think this is a film you either love or hate, there are no in betweens. I watch a lot of films, I only draw the line at horror movies, but other than those, I pretty much watch anything that interests me. I think it is because I have watched quite a number of the old classic action movies that I can appreciate the dialogue in The Expendables 2. 

When Sylvester Stallone did the first film The Expendables, it was partly because he wanted it to be a vehicle for some actors to boost their careers. And it is because of this understanding that I am able to appreciate and understand the throwbacks to the heydays of action films and success these old birds experienced. Its a special members only club that is well casted. Its not so much that these actors have lost their touch or have become old news, but rather that there isn't a good film that they would fit in well without looking like they're trying too hard. In The Expendables 2, they are able to poke fun at their past and laugh at themselves. The Expendables 2 is a homage to the classics and to their old films. 

How could you not find Arnold Schwarzenegger saying "I'm back!" funny? I burst out laughing so hard when cast mate Terry Crews, playing Hale Caesar, refers to his playing the Terminator and says to him "If I don’t get this back, your ass is terminated". If you think the crack shots at their action hero past in the trailer is all that the film has, well, be prepared for more. 

The two short bits of dialogue I absolutely love is really just two of my ultimate favourites. There are more but if I put them all in this whole review would be too much of a spoiler. But the first piece of dialogue really says it all. A respectful homage to these actor's career-making films and lines and how you will never get sick of the classics. Given the right film, these stars can still shine bright. And in my opinion, The Expendables 2 is the right film for them.

Story. While the plot is predictable, oftentimes bordering on cheesy and really not very creative, but then I think to myself, what is original these days anyway. That is why you must go into The Expendables 2 with the right mindset. It will have loopholes and flaws in the plot, but you're not there for the plot really anyway, you're there to watch these old birds kick some serious ass and deliver awesome one liners or short spurts of dialogue that floor you and have you ROTFL - Rolling On The Floor Laughing. 

Revenge for their fallen brethren is always a good reason to kick butt. And while I have a few issues as to who should have lived and died, I have to agree with my friend's reasoning that it had to happen that way because he was the only team member who would have made the loss feel frustrating and worth avenging. I went into the film thinking I knew who would be that fallen brother and let's just say I was surprised. And the fact that I was surprised is surprising in itself. You see I had speculated A LOT as to which of the expendables would die so I had a vested interest in finally knowing who it was. 

I always go into an action film not expecting much from the actors in terms of the acting, but I have to say that I was pretty impressed by the acting, the action, and was floored by the one liners. I first noticed Liam Hemsworth in The Last Song, then paid close attention to his performance in The Hunger Games, and now watching him in The Expendables 2, I think he did a really decent job. I wouldn't say his acting is bad, good, or improving, just that I enjoy watching his growth as an actor on the big screen. He is someone I've not written off but definitely taken notice of. The weakest link in terms of the acting is unfortunately the only lady in the team Yu Nan. I would have loved to see Michelle Yeoh play the part of Maggie! After all, she is somewhat of an action star. =) My second choice would have been Maggie Q or Lucy Liu. My favourite in the film would have to be Mr. Terminator and Chuck Norris' Booker. They really have some of the best lines in the film. 

(1) Simon West has directed films like Con Air (1997), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001),  and When A Stranger Calls (2006).

(2) Sylvester Stallone has acted in films like Rocky (1976), Rocky II (1979), Rocky III (1982), Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), Rocky IV (1985), Rambo III (1988), Rocky V (1990), Demolition Man (1993), Judge Dredd (1995), Daylight (1996), Driven (2001), Taxi 3 (2003), Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (2003), Rocky Balboa (2006), Rambo (2008),  The Expendables (2010), and Zookeeper (2011).


(3) Jason Statham has acted in films like Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels (1998), Snatch (2000), The One (2001), The Transporter (2002), The Italian Job (2003), Collateral (2004), Cellular (2004), Transporter 2 (2005), The Pink Panther (2006), Crank (2006),  Transporter 3 (2008), The Expendables (2010), and Safe (2012). 

(4) Jet Li has acted in films like Shaolin Temple 少林寺 (1982), Once Upon A Time In China 黃飛鴻 (1991), Once Upon A Time In China II 黃飛鴻之二男兒當自强 (1992), Swordsman II 笑傲江湖之東方不敗 (1992), Fong Sai Yuk 方世玉 (1993), Fong Sai Yuk II 方世玉續集 (1993), Last Hero In China 黃飛鴻之鐵雞斗蜈蚣 (1993), Once Upon A Time In China III 黃飛鴻之三：獅王争霸 (1993), Black Mask 黑俠 (1996), Once Upon A Time In China And America 黃飛鴻之西域雄獅 (1997), Lethal Weapon 4 (1998), Romeo Must Die (2000), The One (2001), Kiss Of The Dragon (2001),  Hero 英雄 (2002), Cradle 2 The Grave (2003), Unleashed (2005), Fearless (2006), The Warlords 投名狀 (2007), The Forbidden Kingdom (2008), The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor (2008), Ocean Heaven 海洋天堂 (2010), The Expendables (2010), The Sorcerer And The White Snake 白蛇傳說之法海 (2011), and Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate 龍門飛甲 (2011).

(5) Dolph Lundgren has acted in films like A View To Kill (1985), Rocky IV (1985), Masters Of The Universe (1987), The Punisher (1989), Universal Soldier (1992), Johnny Mnemonic (1995), Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009), The Expendables (2010), Icarus (2010),  and Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning (2012).

(6) Chuck Norris has acted in films like Good Guys Wear Black (1978), Lone Wold McQuade (1983), Top Dog (1995), and DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story (2004). 

(7) Jean-Claude Van Damme has acted in films like Universal Soldier (1992), Last Action Hero (1993), Hard Target (1993), Timecop (1994), Street Fighter (1994), Universal Soldier: The Return (1999), Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009), and Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning (2012). He has also voiced the character of Master Croc in the animation Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011).

(8) Bruce Willis has acted in films like Die Hard (1988), Die Hard 2 (1990), Death Becomes Her (1992), Pulp Fiction (1994), Die Hard With A Vengeance (1995), Twelve Monkeys (1995), Last Man Standing (1996), The Fifth Element (1997), Armageddon (1998), The Sixth Sense (1999), The Story Of Us (1999), The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Disney's The Kid (2000), Hart's War (2002), The Whole Ten Yards (2004),  Ocena's Twelve (2004), Sin City (2005), Fast Food Nation (2006), Lucky Number Slevin (2006), Perfect Stranger (2007), Nancy Drew (2007), Live Free Or Die Hard (2007), The Expendables (2010), and Looper (2012). He has also voiced the character of RJ in the animation Over The Hedge (2006).

(9) Arnold Schwarzenegger has acted in films like Conan The Barbarian (1982), Conan The Destroyer (1984), The Terminator (1984), Red Sonja (1985), Predator (1987), Twins (1988), Total Recall (1990), Kindergarten Cop (1990), Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), Last Action Hero (1993), True Lies (1994), Junior (1994), Eraser (1996), Jingle All The Way (1996), Batman And Robin (1997), End Of Days (1999), The 6th Day (2000), Collateral Damage (2002), Around The World In 80 Days (2004), and The Expendables (2010). 

(10) Randy Couture has acted in films like Cradle 2 The Grave (2003), Big Stan (2007), The Scorpion King 2: Rise Of A Warrior (2008), The Expendables (2010), and Geezers! (2012).

(11) Terry Crews has acted in films like The 6th Day (2000), Training Day (2001), Serving Sara (2002), Starsky & Hutch (2004), White Chicks (2004), The Longest Yard (2005), Balls Of Fury (2007), Street Kings (2008), Get Smart (2008), Terinator Salvation (2009), The Expendables (2010), and Bridesmaids (2011).

(12) Liam Hemsworth has acted in films like The Last Song (2010), The Hunger Games (2012), Love And Honor (2012), Empire State (2013), Paranoia (2013) and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013).

(13) Yu Nan has acted in the film Speed Racer (2008).




The Eclectic Reviewer thinks… The Expendables 2 makes you feel like a member of the special boys club but the good thing is you're just there to tag along for the ride while they do all the work. It works because you feel like you've been invited to a special preview into the lives of these old action heroes even though its exaggerated and totally blown out of proportion. If they can laugh at themselves, why can't you? You never really tire of the classics. So show a little R.E.S.P.E.C.T, let your hair down, and just have fun. They obviously are, why shouldn't you too. (4.5 of 5)

* Movie Poster and Banner from JoBlo.com

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