Igrzyska śmierci

The only thing worth anything in this film, its theme, has already been filmed in an original, energetic way as a provocative satire in Battle Royale. The American version, striving to be a serious and riveting thriller with a romantic storyline, is indigestibly lengthy, clichéd and uses makeup and costumes like from "2001: A Space Travesty 2" with Adam Sandler. I’m giving it the second star for the pleasantly sober acting of the two main characters, who are the only elements of the film that don’t seem like a bad joke. (23.03.2012)

Twilight for fifteen year-old intellectuals, and I don’t mean it as bad as it may sound. Hunger Games is for the same age group as that other rubbish, but at least it tries (and in the book maybe successfully, I don’t know, can’t judge, didn’t read it) to deliver some social criticism, it’s also about a lot more than whether some unstable idiot will take a vampire or a werewolf as her lover, and the motivations of the protagonists are much deeper. As an undemanding blockbuster, it’s pretty good, it looks quite nice (given the low budget), and the art design of the Capitol and its inhabitants was captivating. The most interesting themes, though, are only sketched out, but maybe the upcoming sequels will manage to complete them, I’m curious. What bothered me the most was the unrealistic behaviour of the characters in the Arena and the fact that I didn’t understand at all how the institution of the Hunger Games is supposed to help the Capitol rule the other regions. The film is not great by any means, but it was decent fun. Jennifer Lawrence is brilliant. 7/10 (28.03.2012)

The Hunger Games is another of those interesting fantasy book series that got adapted into a Hollywood movie. I was quite reluctant to see this. Even though I like fantasy films very much, I never know what to expect from them, and what I’ve seen lately was mostly so mediocre that it made me sad. But in the end, I made time for The Hunger Games one Sunday afternoon. I chose Sunday because the film has almost three hours. A film of this length must inevitably have some balls to grab my attention and keep me from falling asleep. The first half an hour was an introduction to the fantasy world in question. There was nothing much going on, but it served its purpose. Nevertheless, at the moment the titular hunger games kicked off, I started to enjoy the movie very much. I found the premise really intriguing, and the way this movie was shot is also not exactly ordinary. The story is quite realistic, with a lot of food for thought. And I must say that even though I felt kind of skeptical about this fantasy world at first, over time I grew fond of it and I began to wonder what the creators – and the source book – have in store for us next time. So yes, I must say that there is something about this world. The execution is also well-done, so the remaining two and half hours passed in the blink of an eye. I was satisfied with the result, and now I’m curious about the sequel. (13.12.2013)

It regrettably misses the mark as a social parable and a critique of a reality show (the classic misguided product syndrome: I criticize myself and I’m not aware of it), as a sci-fi hopelessly non-original, toothless as an action film, pubertal dull as a drama... the argument that it is the absolute opposite of Twilight does not stand up - simply because the heroine is "tough and unyielding", that director Ross and especially cinematographer Stern are at a higher level (the raw filming raises it above average), and that the story has a certain deeper subtext - is not enough. The Hunger Games is similarly poser-like dull and harmlessly consumable. I would like to write that this is The Truman Show for teenagers, but the truth is that this is all to which Weir's film is critically defined. If only it worked as "simple entertainment". But it doesn't. Without knowledge of the book, it is confused, unfinished and overwhelmed with obligatory clichés and affected by a very tied up imagination. (21.03.2012)

The plot roller coaster, which greatly enhances the desire to read a book, but also works as a surprising teenage hit until the very last minute. The characters are precise, the actors amazing, the relationships believable, and despite several seemingly exaggerated scenes towards the end, it's actually hard for me to find any specific criticism. Perhaps if the second part goes deeper into the interaction between the main characters, I will be fully thrilled. Those who mock the partial resemblance to Orwell or Truman Show have not understood that there is a slightly different metaphor here. Katniss Everdeen for the win. P.S.: I became friends with the book practically instantly, and after reading the entire saga, I would give Suzanne Collins almost anything. Just for the record. (08.04.2012)

The Hunger Games, or dystopia for teenagers, utilizes the concept of fighting in an arena, which has been used many times in literature and film. You shouldn't expect any deeper psychology or convincing portrayal of society, but who would expect that from a Hollywood production of this kind anyway? The level of violence is adjusted to the target audience, so anyone expecting uncompromising, gritty action will inevitably be disappointed. However, considering the target segment of the audience, the film works decently on an emotional level, skillfully playing with sentiment, and the relationship triangle between the adolescent protagonists is relatively solid. The cast greatly helps the film, with young stars led by the charismatic Jennifer Lawrence delivering their performances reliably. On the other hand, the depiction of the social elite from the Capitol feels cliché, resembling an unwanted parody of American television show business mixed with a drug-induced trip by a film costume designer. Although I am far from being the target audience, I would probably lean towards giving the film 3 stars, if it weren't for the chaotic editing that significantly drags down the film, especially in the more action-packed scenes. Overall impression: 45%. (31.01.2022)

I didn't expect anything at all, and yet the film surprised me quite a bit. Anyone who starts talking about artificial romance completely missed the point and reading their reviews is a waste of time because they won't be objective. Hunger Games is a game, or rather a romance only on the surface, just like society today (or most of it), which this film criticises in a rather sophisticated way. It starts with the same system as the Hunger Games (a tribute to wars), through pathetic wishes for happiness, appalling (intentionally, for God's sake!) costumes, so criticising the film for that is probably the same as being upset that you're not hungry anymore after eating. As far as philosophy is concerned, I don't really have anything to criticise. Technically, the film is quite decent (the visuals of the city, the sets, etc.). The only slight issue arises during the actual game. Some things seemed a bit half-hearted and sometimes the viewer gets lost in what is meant to be taken seriously and what is just a wink. I won't dwell on the handheld camera, nor the quite inconsistent action scenes (sometimes naturalistic, other times "veiled"). Gary Ross seems be a much more captivating storyteller and philosopher than a technician and director of action scenes. I mustn't forget Jennifer Lawrence, who shines as the modern-day heroine and will one day replace Kate Beckinsale, Milla Jovovich, and other tough chicks, and she to be a much better actress too. Hunger Games is definitely not for classics and narrow minds. I don't quite understand the huge profits because I expected most people would not appreciate the content (which I assume has happened), but apparently, that doesn't prevent it from being a film experience, although perhaps a slightly different one. (02.04.2012)

A slightly above average film that could have been more. Maybe it's because I haven't read the books, but I kept feeling like I needed to know more about the world in which The Hunger Games takes place in order to believe that such a thing was really possible. That's why I had trouble accepting the idea that there's been a killing contest for 74 years, the purpose of which is, among other things, to pacify the population, and that people have accepted it and somehow it works. Sci-fi or not, the world in which a story takes place should simply be believable. However, I have to give The Hunger Games credit for its fine cast (except that the main antagonist should not have been such a similar type as the main male protagonist, I kept getting them mixed up), the nice pacing that made the two hours and something pass pretty quickly, and James Newton Howard's score. Directionally, however, it was no miracle, and I don't think I'll remember any of the scenes – hopefully the next installments will turn out better in that respect at least, since Francis Lawrence has been placed at the helm. (02.08.2020)

Unpretentious and ego-laden entertainment for a teen audience that doesn't give a damn about what Battle Royale is and how much the success of a great theme depends on all other aspects of filmmaking. The Hunger Games is not that badly made, it has a few bright moments and above all it boasts an excellent Jennifer Lawrence, who in the Japanese original was sorely missed in the flood of Asian faces, but regardless of how good and fun it is, this nothing more than another overblown bubble under the Hollywood banner, which, although it ensures prestige and money, can also overshadow even the best subject with a wave of pathos and American heroism. While Battle Royale was a bold and creative satire that couldn't be taken entirely seriously, The Hunger Games pretends to be a modern stylized sci-fi with a serious idea of a totalitarian future, but its potential ends exactly where it begins: with the premise. The film holds together really only thanks to the believable and very pleasant chemistry between the two leading actors. I’m certainly not disappointed, but that's only because I expected a similar result in advance. 60% (10.06.2013)

The idea for the book just spontaneously came to the author’s mind and most certainly wasn’t inspired by the Japanese Batoru rowaiaru (2000). Well, let's just say I’m not buying it. I'm going to rudely assume it was a standard American rip-off, just with added bombast, a play on emotions, and a moronic plot. Even if the Americans had set fire to all twenty-four athletes, they couldn't have put together a pair of characters that would entertain me as much as the Japanese duo, Pot lid and Binoculars. Those of you who know something about me must have known that I wasn’t going to be happy with the casting of the lead. Jennifer Lawrence does have something going for her; after all, she is one of the world's top actresses regarding "leaked" photos and videos. There’s no denying that. I just think she should take up poker instead of acting. Her constant unreadable expression can compete even with the likes of Ben Affleck or Mickey Rourke. However, the latter helped himself to it surgically, which disqualifies him in my eyes. The film didn’t start off looking entirely bad, but as time went on, my hopes started to fade, only to vanish completely. The film was made to look like it was about the right values, but actually, it just wasted over two hours on yet another story about a love triangle that teens and American housewives just can’t get enough of. / Lesson learned: Never eat alone and don’t be the first one to eat in a group. (08.09.2022)

The viewer in Hunger Games apparently got what he wanted. The pseudo-original theme, which is killed by the burden of romance and seemingly tough scenes, in shots that want to appear so artistically that they sound cheap. Never mind that the film devoured all the interesting ideas that this theme should have. Just as long as there are cool heroes, some tender love, and especially incredibly terrible costumes, for which the film deserves a Raspberry award, preferably rotten. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/04/proc-maji-hunger-games-takovy-uspech.html (16.02.2013)

The Hunger Games is a film that is very purposefully made, and one that was already destined for commercial success – given the marketing frenzy that preceded its release, of course. An arena of death where children massacre each other – I don't know if that kind of subject matter is cruel, cynical, or just plain nasty, but it's still a terribly interesting topic for a film that so massively caters to audiences. I don't think there was any attempt at any resonance here, given the setting and the profile of the production itself. So I'm not going to evaluate the "seriousness of the content" in any depth, and others have already done that here in an informed way. The formal aspects, especially the visuals, are bombastic – the gorgeous setting and affluence of the Capitol contrasts brilliantly with the poverty that characterizes the vast majority of all the Districts. Despite the omnipresent "pomp and grandeur", I preferred the more human or personal storylines of the film – the central duo come across as likeable and very easily win your sympathy. Personally, I was expecting more pathos, more wringing of emotions and pushing the envelope, which in the end didn't happen. The question is whether to consider this a positive or negative aspect, because I really expected more of those emotions there. On the other hand, there was a moment that moved me (but that's probably because I'm an overly sensitive soul), and that was when SPOILER ALERT Katniss buries little Rue and holds up her fingers in tribute to District 11. END SPOILER It was such a beautifully touching human moment, almost unique out of the entire Hunger Games in its intensity. This is admittedly very subjective (though what rating isn't...), but given that I devoured the running time of slightly over two hours in one breath without pause, I have no reason to rate it differently, nor do I "feel" like I should :-) I respect all the objective criticisms, but they did not affect my final impression in the least :)) (03.06.2013)

I understand the negative reviews saying it's too long or that it's standard nonsense for teenagers, but only one or two stars? My expectations were based on those critical reviews, but instead I got a movie which was entertaining from beginning to end (seriously!) and one of the biggest surprises of the year. Quite a good script, albeit with a few goofs, but I didn’t mind. The movie only confirmed that Jennifer Lawrence is one of the most talented actresses today. (27.01.2013)

I haven’t read the book, so it is hard to say how well this movie version does in comparison to it, but if I take this as just a movie, it worked exceptionally well! A really gripping adventure sci-fi that grabs on to you and doesn’t let go. I could certainly make some criticisms: this doesn’t deserve the top score, but still, years later, I am thrilled whenever I return to watch Hunger Games another time. I had great fun and was captivated from start to finish. Really an outstanding movie with a theme that I hadn’t come across ever before. (18.05.2014)