This film version of the first in the best-selling trilogy of young-adult novels is surprising and remarkable - this is the growing-up of the tweenage movie. Set in a remorselessly bleak dystopia, the final third is basically Battle Royale for the Big Brother generation, but what precedes it succesfully creates a grim divide between the rich and poor and also puts across the fiercely beating heart in human nature. Gary Ross's direction is excellent, from the quasi-documentary style of the opening Reaping to the impressionistic carnage of the Games's opening moments. Sound design is superb, in particular using silence that is almost palpable in places to strong effect. At the centre of the film is a rock-solid performance by Jennifer Lawrence, who completely captures the bewilderment of a girl put into situations far beyond her experience, partnered by a sincere performance from Josh Hutcherson, showing he is capable of much more than the Journey films. The adult cast is also terrific, with powerful turns by Donald Sutherland, Lenny Kravitz and a brilliantly-nuanced Woody Harrelson. In spite of all the news fuss, the actual violence is mostly suggested and (just) off-screen, although younger viewers may find the all-pervading sense of despair difficult, which makes The Hunger Games a brave, compelling and unusually absorbing Hollywood product.
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