"May the Odds be Ever in your Favor."

   Yes, I was one of the bajillion people who read the book, The Hunger Games and the sequels, and dashed out to see the movie this past weekend.  And I loved it.  It's another YA book full of great characterization, action, dialogue, and just good story-telling.  And I recommend it the way I did the Harry Potter franchise, another YA series I will admit to falling in love with.  Now, I didn't get bit by the Twilight series so judge my likes and dislikes on that.
    For the 10% of America who didn't catch the Games fever, explaining the book's premise to them is a bit difficult.  I've tried but it comes across as barbaric.  It doesn't sound like a promising setting, nor is the plot very uplifting.  It's a futuristic dystopian world, think The Giver (Lois Lowry), Anthem (Ayn Rand), or Brave New World (Aldous Huxley).  And in this future world called Panem, things are very bleak. At least they are bleak for Districts 2 thru 12 who mostly live in poverty, while the Capitol, District 1 - has all the crazy, outlandish color and wonder comparable to the Land of Oz; you remember, the horse of a different color.  When districts 2-12 tried to join forces and fight against the leaders many years ago, they failed.  As a punishment, and to remind everyone who's boss, now each year a boy and girl from each district must be chosen (comparable to the short story, "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson) as a tribute to come to the Capitol and fight to the death in a man-made wilderness with the Capitol puppeteers creating true reality show havoc on the teenagers in order to make it more exciting for the viewers.  It's quite reminiscent of Jim Carrey in The Truman Show without the sunny "Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!"
     That's pretty much the gist of the set-up.  What brings this story to life is the character Katniss, amazing hunter with a bow-and-arrow, do-gooder and mostly mother to little 12-year-old sister Prim.  Though Prim's name is only in the lottery once,  she is chosen as tribute in her first year.  Of course, Katniss, being the heroine, volunteers herself to go in and the story rolls from there.  Bring in two cute boys - one, the boy next door ready to escape the district; another, the son of a baker, strong but awkward, who has always had a crush on Katniss, a drunk mentor, an obliviously dense, ridiculously dressed guide, an understanding make-up and costume artist, and an angry sense that nothing is within your control, and you have The Hunger Games.
     Now, as I watched, a few things either bothered or just plain blew me away so I wanted to jot those down.  There may be a spoiler alert - but since you're read this far, I'm betting you've already read the book.  And if you haven't --- join the rest of us, and as they say in Panem, "May the odds be ever in your favor."

#1 -- This is miniscule, but it's enough to make me mention it to everyone I've talked to about the movie so far.  Why, if the villagers live in such poverty, are their teeth so brightening white and absolutely straight.  Come on Hollywood, throw in some gray cavities, or at least a couple of crooked teeth.
#2 - Capitol-created dogs jumping out of woods nearly made me jump out of my seat.
#3 -  Rue is perfect for the part. Dropped a little tear for her.
#4 - I don't remember Gale being so handsome.  I may have to change my Peeta-love.
#5 - Lenny Kravitz is Cinna -- really?  I had no idea.  He looks soo good, and I was a big fan of his dread-locks. I'm so glad Cinna will be back in the next sequel.
#6 - Who remembers if Seneca Crane is back in book 2?  The berries?
#7 - I know there is violence in the book and that's hard to take, but I'm glad that the movie depended on sounds more than actually showing the violence. I know that the author, Suzanne Collins, mentioned in an interview that her dad was in the military her whole life.  He often spoke to her of the tragedy and hopelessness of war and the things he witnessed.  I believe she was sending a message.
#8 -  Finally, can't believe we have to wait for over a year for Catching Fire!  It just gives me more time to convince others to read it. 

Okay, one more thing.  If you are interested, Concordia Publishing House had a downloadable Bible study on The Hunger Games for $5, written by Mark Sengele.  (thanks Kendra for that info)