20 'Controversial' Movies Everyone Completely Over-Reacted To
9. The Hunger Games
The Film:
Still one of the best YA book adaptations of all time, The Hunger Games is the first in the franchise and features a dystopia in which young people are forced to kill each other in a televised game.
The Controversy:
The film was criticized by some for its violence and its disturbing premise. The film's 12A rating was hugely complained about by many. It's also been accused of being a Battle Royale rip-off.
Why It Was Wrong:
The violence in the film isn't graphic and is toned down from the novel. The dark themes are part of what makes this such a compelling film.
None of the violence feels gratuitous and all of it is in aid of a politically relevant and emotionally powerful story. In an era of things like the dreadful Twilight franchise, something darker and more disturbing couldn't have been more welcome.
Plenty of people have watched it, loved it and been absolutely fine with it, so there isn't really anything to be concerned about. There is certainly no need to criticize a film over 'Moderate violence' as it says in the BBFC guidance.
As for Battle Royale, if people actually sat down and watched both movies they'd realize the films are very different.