Adolescence isn’t easy for anyone, but for some it can be much worse. If you thought your parents were tough on you growing up by forcing you to take up the piano or study calculus for hours on end, you would not fare well against the kids from The Hunger Games.

The country of Panem has been at peace for more than 70 years. What was once a war-torn world has limited its violence to a yearly event known as The Hunger Games, a free-for-all among two dozen young district representatives in which only one winner can emerge alive. District 12 teenager Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has seen several competitors come and go, all the while avoiding being picked for the Games herself. When her younger sister (Willow Shields) is selected in her first year of eligibility, a panic-stricken Kat does the unprecedented by volunteering to serve in her place. As she and her fellow nominee (Josh Hutcherson) are whisked away to the Capitol, where they’ll be trained for the biggest ordeal of their lives, the only thing she can think about is trying not to get killed. Kat’s natural survival skills and unique appeal to spectators make her an early favorite, but once the Games begin, there are no absolute certainties.

Having had practice as a self-sufficient teen obliged to risk life and limb in Winter’s Bone, Lawrence soars in her most high-profile film yet. Trudging across the Ozarks was child’s play compared to Kat’s experiences in the arena, where even her talent with a bow and arrow doesn’t guarantee her anything. At least she has some guidance. Lenny Kravitz steps in as her stylist, who grooms her for the grueling process of winning over fans in the popularity contest part of the process, wherein all the young warriors are expected to shine as best they can. As for what happens when she’s fighting for her life, advice is available from former Hunger Games victor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), whose expertise might be a little more helpful if he weren’t a drunken malcontent. Given the fervor surrounding this ritual, it only makes sense he’d want to drown his memories. Drink up, man. Hutcherson is in good form as Kat’s partner of sorts, Peeta Mellark, knowing full well who’s more likely to walk away if it comes down to the two of them. If that weren’t enough, the poor schmuck still harbors a secret crush on her, despite her friendship/companionship with a boy (Liam Hemsworth) back home.

Hmmm, a love triangle and masculine posturing in the middle of bloodthirsty activities — where have we heard this before? That’s the question on everybody’s mind, wondering if this series is the new Twilight. The answer is no; because it’s much, much better. Suzanne Collins’ young adult books have that same addictive quality as those of Stephenie Meyer, but the material is much more manageable on the big screen. For those of us who couldn’t muster the effort to give a crap about the woes of Bella Swan and her relationships, romance is secondary, but still important, in this tale of a fight to the death. Kat is nowhere near as frail as Bella, she’s more deciduous in the path she takes in her life and what’s more, we actually care about what happens to her. The battle royale, designed to keep the Panem populace entertained and placated, serves as a place for our heroine to fulfill her potential, not just as an archer, but her ability to wow people across the board, and perhaps change the system which has led to an atmosphere where mercy is discouraged, compassion is rare, and fairness is all a matter of perspective. As long as you’re looking down on the lower classes, that is. Echoes of Spartacus are apparent at many moments, and given the history of Panem, it’s not long before we see a surge of rebellion go through the districts once again.

Yes, as difficult as it may be to believe, you can have a serious message in a story geared toward the tween crowd, and that’s exactly what The Hunger Games has at its core. If you haven’t started devouring the books by now, chances are you’ll start in on them soon after the theater’s lights come up. I know I’ll be flipping through the pages like a madman, and I’m already wishing I could take back the copy I gave my nephew for his birthday. As for the vampire series which many will still undoubtedly claim is superior, here are my two words: suck it!

Rating: 3 out of 4 stars

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