The Hunger Games tells the story of the dystopian world of Panem, where one male and one female between the ages of 12 and 18 from each of the 12 districts must compete in the annual Hunger Games competition.
Here, the “tributes” must fight until there is only one standing in a spectacle broadcasted live for the wealthy Capitol residents. The books, and movies, follow District 12′s tribute Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence), who volunteers to take the placer of her sister and compete.
Originally released in theaters on March 23rd, 2012, The Hunger Games was the first of a four-film franchise based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling trilogy. Let’s take a look back and see some of the most iconic moments of the franchise:
“I volunteer as tribute!”
Movie: The Hunger Games (2012)
This is the moment that really sparked the whole story. Here, Katniss volunteers to fight in her sister’s place in the Hunger Games, which is a turning point in her live, but also lets the audience know the lengths Katniss will go to protect her family. Katniss chose this, but it also feels like she had no choice.
“If we burn, you burn with us!”
Movie: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
Before this scene, the audience knows that Katniss can’t act, even though they need it to inspire people to fight against the Capitol. Then, a make-shift hospital is bombed down by the Capitol, and it deeply affects Katniss.
She brings down a Capitol plane, and then gives a message to the cameras directed to President Snow: “Fire is catching and if we burn, you burn with us!” Katniss then collapses to her knees, overwhelmed by destruction.
At this point, the movies start to show how war can affect a person, especially a teenager like Katniss.
“Thank you for your consideration”
Movie: The Hunger Games (2012)
Katniss shoots an arrow and is ignored by the Gamemakers (those who organize the Hunger Games). They’re concentrated by their feast, and don’t see her shoot her second arrow which annoys Katniss, and she decides to shoot at them and pierce an apple inside a roasted pig’s mouth. Now, having their attention, she decides to curtsy saying “thank you for your consideration” and walks away without hearing an answer.
Katniss finds out that District 12 has been destroyed
Movie: Catching Fire (2013)
At the end of the movie, Gale tells Katniss that District 12 doesn’t exist anymore, and the scene focus on how Katniss is coming to terms with this fact, but also what to do next. The close-up shows her going from sadness and confusion to stone-cold anger and determination. The scene not only shows the impact of expressive, dialogue-free acting, but also how Katniss is really, really, angry.
Peeta publicly declares his love for Katniss
Movie: The Hunger Games (2012)
In an interview with Caesar Flickerman before the Hunger Games, Peeta tells him that he is in love with Katniss, allowing Haymitch (their mentor) to sell the image of the two as “star-crossed lovers”, even when the audience can see it as unrequited love. It not only changes the way the Capitol sees them, but it also changes the relationship between Peeta and Katniss, with her being angry, saying “he made me look weak”.
