The Feminist Lens: Movie Reviews

This week, I wanted to write about a movie that has been adapted from a young adult book series. The film is a major phenomenon, and debuted to large, passionate audiences. Of course, central to the plot is a love triangle. I think that by now, most people have guessed what I’m talking about…

The Hunger Games! What did you think I was writing about? Oh…Twilight…well now that you mention it, I do find it hard to discuss one without the other.  In fact, the trailer for the final Twilight movie debuted before The Hunger Games. Clearly, Hollywood sees audience crossover. For this same reason, I was initially skeptical of The Hunger Games series. I had heard that the series was similar to Twilight. Nevertheless, the trailer looked pretty decent. I resolved to read the Hunger Games trilogy before seeing the film. Three books and one movie later, I could not have been more wrong in my initial assessment.

If you haven’t seen The Hunger Games yet, I would highly recommend it. The movie does a good job of capturing the feel of the books (at least so far). For those who need a quick catch-up, The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian future. 12 Districts live in poverty while producing resources for the Capitol. This situation is the direct result of a failed rebellion. As reminder of the rebellion, every year a girl and boy are chosen from each district to fight to the death in an arena for the pleasure of viewers. Central protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, volunteers for the games in place of her 12 year old sister, who is randomly chosen from thousands of names. The boy chosen from District 12, Peeta Melllark, reveals during the pre-game interview process that he is in love with Katniss. Though it is initially explained as a ploy to gain viewer support and sponsors, it turns out that Peeta really does love her. Katniss reciprocates, at least for the sake of the games. However, she does have a male best friend at home who she has some feelings for as well. I won’t go any further into the story for the sake of spoilers.

Like Twilight, The Hunger Games features a teen love triangle. Unlike Twilight, The Hunger Games isn’t about a teen love triangle. In fact, Katniss is about as different from Bella as well…werewolves are from vampires (sorry, I had to). In the story, Katniss provides for her mother and sister by sneaking out into the woods and hunting with a bow and arrow. She is emotionally mature, stoic, and strong. While she does care for her competing love interests, she never makes decisions due to pressure from them. Katniss puts others before herself in a selfless and altruistic way—she acts because of love, but not because she is aimlessly in love. Katniss never compromises herself because of a man (boy?).

I don’t write this post specifically to bash Twilight…but I’m going to bash Twilight a bit here. Now, I’ve read articles as to why Twilight is feminist and why it isn’t feminist. However, I personally find little redeeming content to the messages of that series. Aside from the gross pro-life and anti-sex before marriage agenda, I also find Bella to be a vacuous and hollow character. Her entire existence is defined by the two men she loves. Hence, I find her to be a horrible role model for girls.

Katniss, on the other hand, is a great character because she breaks free from so many negative paradigms of previous female leads. The Hunger Games is refreshing because it isn’t just another love triangle–there is a real, engaging story and developed world. I would highly recommend the series and hope that young people are more influenced by The Hunger Games than they are by Twilight. Katniss is both the hero we need and the hero we deserve (my apologizes to Bruce Wayne).