Mr. Moviefone reviews 'The Hunger Games'

03/23/2012 by 'Mr. Moviefone' Russ Leatherman

This week at the movies, Hollywood has cleared the playing field as there's only one movie anyone is talking about, or has been talking about for months, and it has fans of a popular book franchise salivating for "The Hunger Games."

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'The Hunger Games' photos

Stories:

In the first installment of this trilogy, we're introduced to a futuristic society that holds a televised contest of survival every year. As punishment for the uprising, the leaders choose a boy and a girl from each of 12 districts who are forced to compete, fighting to the death until there is just one.

When 16-year-old Katniss' younger sister is chosen at random, she volunteers to take her place. Going up against innocent competitors in a game of kill or be killed, Katniss must make impossible choices to survive.

Starring are Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci and Lenny Kravitz.

The Reel Deal: "The Hunger Games" is over-hyped. It's not nearly as gripping as it should be. It'll wet your appetite, but is not the full meal deal, and certainly doesn't live up to expectations. I know that I'm supposed to love it, but I didn't love it, and minus all the hype, "The Hunger Games" will leave you hungry for a better movie. I'm out.

In limited release, there's the foreign action-thriller "The Raid: Redemption." It's about a team of elite cops who must clear an entire high-rise of dangerous criminals in order to take down a powerful drug lord.

For all your showtimes, tickets, my Six Second Reviews and so much more, go to America's favorite movie guide, Moviefone.com, or you can call 1-800-777-FILM. If you want to drop me a note it's MrMoviefone@aol.com or Facebook.com/mrmoviefone.