【電影簡介】

在北美洲這塊廢墟大陸上，有個新興國家‘施惠國’。國內有十二個行政區，以及一座被行政區圍繞的富饒都城。至高無上且專制殘酷的都城，每年逼迫十二行政區交出12歲至18歲的少男少女各一名，投入一年一度的“饑餓游戲”，并以電視實況轉播，藉此恐怖手段來維持威權統治以及國家秩序。

與寡母跟妹妹同住的十六歲少女凱妮絲，自愿代替在“抽簽日”被抽中的妹妹參加獵殺游戲。她曾經走過死亡邊緣，此刻已決心赴死。但殘酷的生存游戲卻激發凱妮絲強韌的求生意志，她成為了游戲的強力競爭者。在通往生存的苦戰之路上，她面臨重重艱難的抉擇：生存、人性以及愛之間。

這些要參加游戲的貢品，并不是普通的青少年。他們從出生伊始，就接受了饑餓游戲的生存訓練。來自12區的卡特尼絲就是其中一員。在一位獲勝的貢品老師的訓練中，她掌握了格斗的技巧和生存的必要技能。更重要的是，她有著敏銳的直覺。這些本能將讓她在饑餓游戲中站得先機。但如果她要想從饑餓游戲中活下來，那還要經歷一系列生與死、情感與罪惡的考量。

【音頻文本】

Despite the popularity of the film "The Hunger Games" in North America, I had low expectations. Because when it comes to man-killing-man survival movies, there is nothing that Gary Ross could have done to outsmart Japanese director Kinji Fukasaku in his thriller "Battle Royale." And the truth is Ross didn't even try.

Instead, he went easy on the stage blood and made a PG-13 movie, with sequels yet to come. The arrangementseems fitting, because like "Twilight," "The Hunger Games" is the first of a series of young-adult novels that command a sizeable readership. And judging from its performance in North America and China, I'll say Ross is on the right track for a fortune.

Like all novel-based movies, "The Hunger Games" is challenged by the adaptation work. The novel's author Suzanne Collins offered her help by working with screenwriter Billy Ray, but I guess the challenge was justtoo huge. As a serial opener, the movie has to lay all the groundwork for the ensuing sequels, so the major activity of this film – the game – is postponed until after the movie is half way through. And since the movie targets a rather young audience, the battle scenes are mild and short. So the grown-ups who have been lured to the cinema for the action will most likely remain hungry for some real thrills, but they won't get any.

Another serious drawback is also caused by the adaptation. I haven't read the novel, but from watching themovie, I guess the author must have been generous and diligent in the portrayal of certain characters. Because some characters in the movie make an excellent impression upon first appearance, including the Lady Gaga-styled Effie Trinket, played by Elizabeth Banks. But as the story moves forward, they are simply cast away, giving the time to stories that aren't necessarily interesting.

The acting is decent. The novel and the movie adopt a first person narrative, so we've seen too much of the lead actress Jennifer Lawrence frowning and crying and thinking deep thoughts the audience can never expect to find out. The result is that other interesting characters are not given enough exposure. Honestly, I'd rather see more of the male lead Josh Hutcherson cracking jokes and putting up shows in a struggle to survive, and Woody Harrelson trying everything he can to get help from the Game Sponsors. But no, the movie has your eyes fixed on the pale face of Lawrence, who practically stays away from the fighting throughout the film.

Perhaps "The Hunger Games" is popular because of promotion and the novel's large readership. The serial opener in itself is obviously not satisfying. We'll wait for the sequels and see if things will improve. On a scale from one to 10, I give "The Hunger Games" a four.

輕松調頻EZFM 微信mrweekly