The movie “Hunger Games” describes a fictional and a seemingly non-existent place in the world where games for people’s lives have become a regular occurrence. The major themes of the story is that people can sometimes get more of what they bargained for in helping someone, that the reality of the world is very perceptive and individual, and that fiction and impossibility are very much connected to the reality of the world. More importantly, it focuses on the connections people establish with others, the causes and effects that lead to a change in the films development, and the survival instinct which perseveres no matter what (Gary, 2012).
It is important to see the difference between the story and the plot. The story is the chain of events in chronological order (Bordwell & Thompson, 2013).The movie starts as a story which takes the viewer in from the opening scene until the closing scene, it starts when you first see the heroine Katnice hunting until the last scene in the film where she returns home after participating in the Hunger Game. The plot is the deeper meaning of what is happening, and the moral lessons that the characters learn in the process.
Timing plays an important role in the movie and the “hunt” because of the constant change in the pace of the scenes (Bordwell & Thompson, 2013). At the time of the chase everything happens very fast, and the intensity is felt by the viewer. The moments where there is a rather safe period of time and people are communicating, the setting is relaxing and reassuring. When scenes are longer, it allows the viewers to get involved in the story. An example of this would be when she is sharing a meal and bonding with one of the younger participants of the hunt named. On the contrary, when there is action or high intensity or when the hunt is occurring the cuts between shots and the scenes change rapidly, such as when she gets stung by the “Tracker Jackers” and she gets delirious
The space is also significant, as it is the location where events occur. When the nature scenes are viewed, they display feelings of loneliness and emptiness of the hunt (Bordwell& Thompson, 2013). When a person is running for life, the change of location represents instability and danger. This has a connection to the other theme of the movie that relates to the perceptions one has about the world and their own role in the greater life (Gary, 2012). This is exactly what happens when a person is contemplating their own existence, place in the world and society. To find the goal in life and talents is a difficult task that each person must do to live a full life.
The movie is based on a narrative form which is the chain of events linked by cause and effect and occurring in time and space, as the main character is telling the story of how she participated in the “hunt” and what occurred in the hunt due to her participation (Bordwell & Thompson, 2013). The events that take place are linked by cause and effects which are the changes brought about by characters, occurring in time and space that are determinant of all that happens within a narrative form (Bordwell & Thompson, 2013). The hunt motivates people to look for ways to survive, to find inner physical and emotional strength. The different relations that people have affect their future and chances of survival.
The patterns of development are quick because the main character goes through several stages during the movie. In the beginning, the heroine is just starting to get used to her fate of being hunted and possibly dying, whereas later in the movie, she shows knowledge and authority. She does it by talking with confidence, knowing what to do next and how. It is accented that people have lost their moral principles and will stop at nothing to get what they want. This parallels the modern world where people have become used to seeing violence as a form of entertainment (Banyard, 2005). The realities of the Coliseum, violent crimes, fighting on the TV screen for entertainment are aligned with the enjoyment of the hunt in the movie. It supposes that soon people will get bored, and hunting others will be one of the games.
The range of information in the story is unrestricted because there are many aspects that can be imagined and the gaps are filled in as it provides for an evolving environment where there are no limitations. For example, people could hide out somewhere for a very long time without moving, the relationships might form differently and the environment is virtually unlimited, so people can build and create as much as they can imagine. In addition to the depth of the story information is subjective since the hunted are shown from a personal point of view (Bordwell& Thompson, 2013).
The detailed description of each character connects the audience with the individual, and not the greater scope of things. As there are layers of the sub story, it is clear that several perspectives of the plot are offered to the viewer’s interpretation. For example, ethical considerations of kill or be killed. Also, the personal understanding of truth and what role it plays in talking to people and gaining their trust makes one think of morality and sacrifice.
The movie is a great example of a changing world. It is illustrated through the heroin’s perspective and the link between the plot and the story which unravel as the film goes on. The effective use of cause and effect, in addition to space which is the location where events occur add the intensity. The time which is usually constructed on the basis of what the plot presents, and the development which add to the range and depth of story, keep the viewer in constant tension (Bordwell & Thompson, 2013).
References
Banyard, P. (2005).Ethical issues and guidelines in psychology. New York, United States:Routledge.
Bordwell, D., & Thompson, K. (2013). Film Art: An Introduction. (10th ed.). New York: The Mc-Graw Hill Companies, Inc.
Gary, R. (Executive Producer). (2012).The Hunger Games. [DVD]. Santa Monica, CA: Lionsgate.