March 24, 2012 12:28 AM UTC

"Hunger Games" - A Submissive Political Meeage?

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• by: Dan Willis

I have been having trouble today coming up with the words to express how appalled I am by the (political?) messages being delivered by the new movie, “Hunger Games,” to young people.

After the jump read the review I did finally write.

I just came from seeing “Hunger Games” and I am absolutely sick! I went into it not fully knowing the plot, but had a vague idea. As the film progressed I was already uneasy with a plot where the “Authority” (read: “government”) was requiring teenage children too kill each other in a reality TV show on steroids. The game show continued until there was only one winner. Keep in mind this story is targeted at teenagers.

The heroine of the story was a spunky lass who you knew would rise up against the Authority in the end. Except, she didn’t. When the “game” came down to just her and her boyfriend, rather than refuse to try to kill each other, their solution was to commit suicide. Just lie down and die, that was the message. It was only at the last second that the Authority stepped in and prevented it. Message: “you may live, but only because the government says so.” Then, when the heroine had the perfect opportunity to simply speak out against the policy (on live TV no less!) she opted not to do so and just went along.

The part that truly sickens me: this is all marketed to teenagers. The messages being sent to them: “It is okay to kill other kids.” “You cannot stand up for yourself against the government.” “You live, only to fulfill the needs of the government.” “If you can’t fit in, you might as kill yourself.” REALLY?!?

I realize this is the first of a trilogy and at some point, someone will likely stand up to the Authority. But there was no hint of it in this movie. I stopped in the bookstore afterwards, and read the last chapter of the book; no hint of hope there, either.

I hope I have managed to put into words how insidious I find this movie, especially knowing that it is directed at teens. If you have not seen this movie, don’t let them have your money! If you have not read the book, don’t let them have your money! Prove we DO have a voice, and (to quote Star Trek) resistance is not futile!