by Shannon Lintott

With the hype ever expanding and the fans quickly growing in numbers, The Hunger Games opens this Friday, March 23 in cinemas across the nation.

If you weren’t aware of that, I honestly assume you must live under a giant rock in the middle of a desert. If you don’t care at all or may be annoyed by the explosion of this franchise you are really missing out. I myself am a big fan and since reading the books I have been on the web almost daily looking at photos and trailers and watching interviews.

It’s understandable if you feel the need to avoid The Hunger Games entirely, but let me give you some heavy facts that may convince you to pick up the book or head to the theatres this weekend (if you weren’t already).  Here are five reasons why you should like The Hunger Games:

1.     The Hunger Games is NOT Twilight.

Not even close. I know this for a fact as I have read the Twilight books and own all of the movies (except the last one…I don’t want to talk about it). First, the main point of the story has nothing to do with a love triangle.

Two, it’s more science fiction than fantasy with less vampires and more post-apocalyptic edge to the tale. It’s about politics and a look into our future rather than if loving a vampire is safe or not. Three, Bella is a silly teenaged girl with girl problems while Katniss is a strong, independent and thought provoking individual.

2)       Katniss is a great role model.

I feel like I would not be alone if I moaned and groaned over the lack of a good role model for teenagers and young adults in this day and age. Watching MTV is like lighting my hair on fire and putting the flames out with lemon juice.

I do love reading young adult literature and it’s rare to find such a powerful female lead who is as smart and unselfish as Katniss. She sacrifices herself for her family. She doesn’t consider marriage because bringing a child into her unsafe world seems like insanity.

While she is hot tempered at times, she reflects on past mistakes and takes the time to honour the feelings of those around her. I could go on and on but you get the point. She’s awesome.

3.      Forget Katniss, Jennifer Lawrence is a great role model.

I know this isn’t exactly about The Hunger Games but Jennifer Lawrence, the actor playing Katniss in the movies, is something to talk about. You may have seen her being awkward and hilarious in several interviews over the last couple of weeks and if not then I highly suggest YouTube’ing some. Coming from a twenty-something female it is CRUCIAL that Jennifer popped up at this time.

Girls everywhere needed someone like her to look up to instead of reality TV stars or way-to-perfect-to-be-real divas. She is sweet, witty, clumsy and just herself at every moment. She gets nervous and says hilarious things, just like anyone else would her age, and for that we all love her for it.

4.      It makes you think.

There are a lot of things to worry about right now, but we should always be thinking about the future. I don’t mean just as an individual, but as a society. The Hunger Games looks at where our culture could be headed and gives an exciting and easy to follow outlook into a not so unrealistic future. It makes you stop and wonder about the parallels in this book and our current way of living. Just think about it.

5.      It’s getting people to read.

Reading plays such a major role in our every day lives and for children across the globe these books gives them a chance to read. With all the hype around The Hunger Games it’s almost forcing kids to reading. I couldn’t think of a better ending to peer pressure than with someone opening a book.

Also, anyone can read these books. They are entertaining, fast paced and easy to read. Heck, you could read them twice in one week (and I know people who have done that). It’s getting people talking about books, which is no mere feat.

 

There are so many other reasons, but these are the five that matter most to me – just another fan. The characters and story is really interesting. I dare you to read the first few chapters of The Hunger Games and NOT find it interesting. Even writing this article is making me want to read them again!

Or better yet, wait until the movie hits theatres this weekend and then rush out to a bookstore near you, because once you become a fan of The Hunger Games, there is no turning back.

“May the odds be ever in your favor!”

 

Shannon Lintott works in production at a professional theatre company in Toronto. A recent graduate of the Ryerson Performance Production BFA program, she spends her free time exploring the internet, taking photographs, reading or writing on one of her numerous and addictive websites. The majority of her time is spent watching movies and reviewing them on her movie review blog I Like (good) Movies. Follow Shannon on Twitter.