The story takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in the nation of Panem, which consists of a wealthy capitol surrounded by 12 less affluent districts. As punishment for a past rebellion against the government, the Capitol initiated the Hunger Games–a televised annual event in which one boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts are selected in a lottery as "tributes" and are required to fight to the death in an arena until there is one remaining victor. When the protagonist Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) hears her younger sister's name called as the female tribute for their district, she volunteers to take her place in order to save her from having to participate. Joined by her district's male tribute Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson), Katniss travels to the Capitol to train for the Hunger Games under the guidance of former victor Haymitch Abernathy (Harrelson), expressing resentment for both the Capitol and its populace for forcing her and her fellow tributes to fight to the death for their own amusement.
The film was released on March 21, 2012, in France and other countries[6] and internationally on March 23, 2012,[7] in both conventional theaters and digital IMAX theaters.[8] After its release, the film set the record for the third best opening weekend box office sales of any movie ($152.5 million) in North America behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 ($169 million) and The Dark Knight ($158 million)[9] and is the biggest box office debut for a non-sequel.[10]
The Hunger Games was well-received by critics, who praised its themes and messages, as well as Lawrence's performance as Katniss. Like the novel, the film has attracted criticism for its similarities to other works, such as the Japanese novel Battle Royale and its film adaptation as well as the American short story "The Lottery". It is noted, however, that Collins' novel and screenplay possess key differences by drawing on sources of inspiration such as the myth of Theseus, Roman gladiatorial games, reality television, and the Iraq War.[11] The Hunger Games has been the subject of varying interpretations, including allusions to feminist, political and religious allegory.
Plot
The nation of Panem, which was formed from a post-apocalyptic North America, consists of a wealthy Capitol and twelve poorer surrounding districts. As a punishment for a previous rebellion against the Capitol by the districts, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each district are selected by an annual lottery (known as the "Reaping") to participate in the Hunger Games, an event in which the participants (or "tributes") must fight in an arena controlled by the Capitol until only one remains alive. Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from the coal mining region of District 12, volunteers for the 74th annual Hunger Games in place of her younger sister, Primrose. Peeta Mellark, a baker's son who once gave Katniss bread when her family was starving, is also selected.
Katniss and Peeta are taken to the Capitol, where their drunken mentor, former Games victor Haymitch Abernathy, instructs them to watch and learn the talents of the other tributes, especially the "Careers," who have been trained from birth to compete in the Games. During a pre-Games interview with TV personality Caesar Flickerman, Peeta unexpectedly reveals his feelings of love for Katniss. Katniss is outraged, believing this to be a ploy to gain crucial audience support for themselves, as audience members may "sponsor" tributes with gifts of food, medicine, and tools. The Games begin with half of the tributes killed in the first 8 hours, while Katniss relies on her well-practiced hunting and outdoor skills to survive. Peeta forms an alliance with the "Careers", including Cato and Glimmer, to track Katniss, whom they pursue into the woods. Katniss develops an alliance with District 11 tribute Rue, who points out a tracker jacker nest, which Katniss uses to kill Glimmer. The alliance is short-lived; Rue is killed by District 1 tribute Marvel, whom Katniss kills in return with an arrow. Katniss sings Rue a lullaby as she dies, then spreads flowers over her body. When this is televised, it sparks a riot in District 11.
With Katniss and Peeta established as "star-crossed lovers" - and the Gamemakers trying to avoid inciting further riots - a rule change is announced midway through the Games, stating that two tributes from the same district can win the Games as a pair. Upon hearing this, Katniss searches for Peeta and finds him, wounded by a sword. As Katniss nurses Peeta back to health, she portrays herself as deeply in love with him to gain audience favor and sponsorship. When Katniss tries to retrieve medicine for Peeta, Clove attacks her, but District 11 tribute Thresh kills Clove for Katniss in memory of Rue. Highly intelligent "Foxface" accidentally kills herself by eating highly-poisonous nightlock berries stolen from Peeta, who did not know they were poisonous. A pack of vicious hound-like creatures are released, killing Thresh and forcing Katniss and Peeta towards the Cornucopia, where they encounter Cato. After an intense fight, Katniss shoots Cato with an arrow to save Peeta's life. Cato falls to the hounds, and Katniss shoots him again, killing him to spare him a prolonged death. The Gamemakers then reverse the rule change in an attempt to force Katniss and Peeta into a dramatic duel, where one must kill the other to win. Katniss, betting that the Gamemakers would rather have two victors than none, reveals a cache of nightlock berries and gives Peeta a portion. Upon realizing that Katniss and Peeta intend to commit suicide, the Gamemakers announce that both will be the victors of the 74th Hunger Games.
Although she is treated to a hero's welcome in the Capitol, Katniss is warned by Haymitch that she has now become a political enemy after such a public defiance of her society's authoritarian leaders. As Katniss and Peeta return to District 12, President Snow ponders what to do about the joint victors and the feelings of rebellion that they may have inspired.
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