The Movie Hunger Games - What Is the Big Deal over This Movie?

Updated on March 23, 2012
C.R. asks from Olathe, KS
22 answers

What is all the hype over the movie Hunger Games? What is this movie rated? What is this movie about? Have you seen it advertised? I honestly have no clue what this movie is!

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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

My office is closing at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon so that we can all go on an office-sponsored field trip to see The Hunger Games.

Safe to say we are pretty jacked to see this movie.

I highly recommend the books. Everyone I know, from age 8-60 who have read them have loved them.

5 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

You have great answers so far. I just wanted to add that I loved the books (except for the ending - I didn't love that).

I'm a 41 year old English teacher, and I love that the books appeal to me, my students, and my mom. Several members of my family read the books and loved them. The books appeal to people of all ages, and both genders. It's so nice to see so many people excited about reading!

I don't like to go to movies when they first open. It's too crowded for me then. My mom and I will go see it the second week or so.

4 moms found this helpful

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C.W.

answers from Lynchburg on

Hi 3 girls-

I also was unsure about all the 'hoop la'...

So just as I did when the harry potter books came out...I read them!

THE WHOLE SERIES! (all the harry...and the 3 related to hunger games).

The hunger games (and the next two books) are quite compelling. The female character (katniss) is a strong female young adult character...doing the 'best she can' under unimaginable circumstances.

I am anxious to see the movie...and certainly feel it would be appropriate for any kiddo 13 or older (whose parents have read the book (s) and are prepared for the conversations that the movie (and book) will provoke...

I would not 'camp out' to see it...BUT, like the harry potter series...will be anxious to 'see' and discuss with my kiddos.

I was NOT fond of the 'twilight' series...I think that series PALES into insignificance compared to the other two I mentioned...

Best luck!
michele/cat

8 moms found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

PG-13

I just finished all 3 books in 3 days. My teenage Stepsons recommended them...I read all the stuff they ask me too and so far they have been right and they all have been fun to read and watch...Harry Potter & The Twilight Books...(although in Twilight Bella was hard to take-Gag!) anyway...

Female Hero...the movie will have a decent amount of violence but no sex, they are teen type books...there is no mention of anything more than kissing in the books...but the story line is kinda disturbing...think 'The Running Man' by Stephen King! The world is a sad place, not enough food to go around, to punish the people for a past uprising 'The Capital' has set up The Hunger Games where once a year a boy and a girl under the age of 18 are picked from each district to fight to the death in a game that is broadcast live for all to see. The worst part is they 'allow' you to enter your child's name in the drawing more than once to get more food rations...and it is consecutive so each year the # of times your name goes in grows as well...so sad!

GREAT books! I actually cried...which I NEVER do!

I think NOT for small children and probably NOT for kids under 12 unless they have read the books...

~Trying to get the hubby to let us go on Sunday to see it! The hubby is reading them to and is almost done with the 3rd...I just know that when he finishes it he will say 'yes'!

6 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

The books were great.
They are written for young adults (13 to 17) but it's a great series no matter your age.
Of course the tween/teen market is HUGE and that's why it's being so heavily promoted.
As far as the "kids killing kids" premise?
Helllooo, that's the whole point of the story, to STOP kids from killing kids!!!

5 moms found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

It's based on an extremely popular book series . . . I think Hollywood thinks it will be the next "Twilight"-style money-maker.

I did love the book. Sad but fascinating.

4 moms found this helpful

D.H.

answers from New York on

Fabulous story line! Not for the faint of heart or very young. Did you ever read The Lottery? While this doesn't have the same kind of surprise ending, it truly gives the same chilling feeling, that a society could (and does) go to these extremes.

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A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

My youngest son (who is 13) read all the books and LOVED them. They are very popular among the YA crowd. Many adults love the books also.

I haven't had a chance to read them yet, but I definitely want to see the movie. My son however, not so interested in the movie. So we may or may not go see it at the theatre.

Edited to add: I did read the Harry Potter books ... OK the first couple LOL I could NOT get past the first couple of chapters of the first twilight book. Bella was just TOOOOOOOOOO whiny. couldn't take it. LOL

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

So many people have tried to sell me on this movie and I still find the whole storyline repulsive. It's basically kids murdering kids. I hear the pleas that it's "more than that," but if that's a component to the story in any way, it's not for me.

3 moms found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from Chicago on

I don't think you can even compare "Hunger Games" to "Twilight." Hunger Games is well-written and is more than just a book about "kids killing kids." It a commentary on society and human nature.

Some stories put violence in for "shock value" or they try to be as "epic" as possible to bring in as much money as they can. Horror films come to mind. Gratuitous violence. We get used to that.

Hunger Games has violence for a REASON. There are many layers to the story and lots of parallels to be drawn to today's society and our current attitudes as Human Beings.

It might not be your "taste" but don't just toss it to the side as another "Twilight" or another "hyped up movie with a gross storyline." Believe me, the horror of "kids killing kids" is the part that is SUPPOSED to anger you.

I hope they did a good job with the movie. It's a good way to get lots of people thinking about our freedoms (that are slowly slipping away), our huge divide in social class, and our unnatural obsession with reality TV.

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

I haven't read the books but kids killing other kids sounds pretty disturbing. I hope we don't end up with the stupid copycat situations like we have had with the Project X movie. :(

3 moms found this helpful

J.B.

answers from Houston on

I don't really know, but I saw the preview and I am so going to see it. It looks intriguing and interesting. It seems like it's about a girl taking her baby sister's place in some kind of till the death war that is televised. I totally want to see it, I haven't read your responses so I am going to check them out as well!

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V.M.

answers from Cleveland on

i'm currently half way through the first book. I consider them a action adventure along the lines of Julie of the Wolves, Call of the Wild, those sorts of books. surviving the elements, some of the elements are other people which is horrifing but i'm hoping there is some redemption in that, although i'm not done with the book yet. There could be some really suspenseful edge of your seat action scenes that might be disturbing unless they film it so it isn't too graphic.
I know the overall theme of the book is like people have mentioned the Orwell crazy society theme, but as i'm actually reading it, i don't feel i'm being hit over the head with that if you get what i mean. I don't know, people might disagree with me but i'm enjoying them and would like to see the movies at some point.

2 moms found this helpful

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

you've got good answers so far... i just wanted to add that i'm not all ga-ga over it like people are, or how they were about twilight or whatever (although yes i totally love harry potter, although NOT enough to do the opening weekend thing...i've never been that geeked about any movie! lol) BUT...

the books, imho, were really great. really. i zipped through them and was so bummed when i got done with them. i just read them again. really intense, too. i am really excited about seeing the movie. but i WILL wait until the opening weekend crowds have died down ;)

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

When you have questions about a movie, once it is on the screen, this is the website to visit if you want to "KNOW" what it is about. Usually the person doing the synopsis tells every little detail, step by step. This happened then this happened. They tell the entire movie so do not go there if you do not want to know everything.

http://themoviespoiler.com/

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F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I never heard of it either until this week. I've heard that it both is and isnt appropriate for kids. So when that happens, hubby and I see it first and determine for ourselves. My kids haven't mentioned it. I just asked my 12 yo "Have you heard of the Hunger Games?" Her response, "No, and do I want to? No.". So there you have it I guess! Lol!!!

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T.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Read the books, then you'll get it!

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B.K.

answers from Chicago on

I am not all hyped up to see the movie... but I am liking the books. I seriously can see how it applies to our future world -- the government in these books has everything, is rich and has ultimate control. Ordinary people have nothing and no power.

I thought this was a good discussion of the books/movie:
http://ideas.time.com/2012/03/20/is-the-hunger-games-too-...

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J.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Read the books, they are great! My daughter saw the movie at midnight last night, said it was amazing. Tomorrow, I am going with my husband, my mom and my son. We all read them and are excited to see it brought to life.

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A.G.

answers from Houston on

I disagree...the only thing this series has in common with moody vampires or potent wizards is that it is published/marketed for young adults. Yes HG is written for young adults but has a very "grown up" theme, which imo is the antiwar sentiments woven into the main character's development throughout the series. It was an interesting read at the height of the War in Iraq. I can see its appeal to young adults in that it is creative and different and adventurous and exciting.

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Read the books. They are very well written. Cannot wait to see the movie! Taking my 14 yr old on Saturday.

1 mom found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

If you have read the books you would understand - kind of like the Twilight and Harry Potter thing, mostly people knew about it and were hyped up because they read the books and were ready to see them "come to life!" I plan to see the movie, and I have read the first book, I am waiting for the second to become avail at the library!

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