Fifth grader’s Hunger Games

Could you survive on your own in the wilderness, with everyone out to make sure that you would not see the day? Along with many young students in Arcadia, I went to the AMC theater at Westfield Santa Anita to embark on a remarkable movie adventure. The movie line — to my interest — extended all the way outside of the theater building. The moment I stepped into the theater, I realized that this was going to be one of the most treasured experiences of my life.

Benjamin Liu of Camino Grove Elementary

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The movie was made based on its inspiring novel, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. The story exemplifies the true meaning of cleverness, survival, and a situation where you have to fight to your extreme to survive. Jennifer Lawrence starring as Katniss in the movie chooses the decision to survive and fight her way out of a situation where she must withstand fear and pain in the arena utilizing every asset and ability she possesses to survive and stand up for her loved ones.

The movie begins in the black and burning coal mines of district twelve where Katniss Everdeen specializes in the skills of hunting with pure accuracy and major survival skills from experience and genetics. In the ruins of North America, the nation of Panem is divided into twelve districts that live in a state of poverty with a demanding and tyrannical capitol that abuses power relying on the twelve districts to create resources such as agriculture, electricity, fuel, etc. After a past uprising by the districts and rebellion against the government, the capitol overpowered the 13 districts; and ever since, they have used their advantages in cruel and injustice ways to enslave the districts in harsh conditions. As cruel punishment, they destroyed the thirteenth district and bred The Hunger Games, where each year, children from the age of twelve to eighteen from each district would have a chance to be raffled and chosen to fight in a battle and brawl to the death until only one remained. As one of the most courageous decisions in her life, Katniss Everdeen fixes her sister’s footsteps by restraining her from certain death in the arena and takes her part in the hunger games. She faces some of the biggest challenges of her life by turning her enemies’ strengths into their most substantial weaknesses and risking everything to survive.

“The Hunger Games” film had an opening of $152 million dollars- third best opening in history- and has already out-shined and eclipsed many movie competitors by making more than $300 million dollars in less than three. The novel and film have already received major reviews (mostly positive) and several awards and honors. Main cast members feature Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, and Jennifer Lawrence.

The Hunger Games trilogy has been the pick of many readers( esp., young students and adults) but as well as it may seem, the only way to experience such an adventure is for people to read the remarkable novel themselves. They can never quite explain how truly exceptional The Hunger Games is. The Hunger Games gives a secret message behind it taking readers to experiences of poverty and starvation and taking them to the bloody and miserable battle fields and brutal fighting arenas. Persistence and cleverness are the keys to survival. Life is not an easy path and leads to many major obstacles and even in a time with harsh conditions, poverty, starvation, unfairness, and chaos, people need to persevere to do the right thing. Step into the darkness and do not be afraid to stare face to face and meet your eyes with some of your greatest fears.