What If The Hunger Games Was Darker?
Tweets from the official ‘Hunger Games’ twitter page is that the Blu-ray will be a 15 certificate and that it will feature scenes that were left on the cutting room floor that brought down the rating.
Before reading this article I am obligated to inform you that this has major spoilers for both The Hunger Games film and books. With the DVD and Blu-ray release only a couple of months away I thought I should write an article about The Hunger Games film. Ill start by saying I really enjoyed the film, its one of this year's big movies that lived up to my expectations. I believe it was successful because it had a brilliant casting and acting, a great storyline as well as being brilliantly directed. It already had an established fan base from the best selling trilogy as well as a thought out advertising campaign targeting a wide audience. This was in my opinion an important factor because its certificate enabled it to be assessable to a broad a range of cinema viewers as possible. Its tailored content and censoring was to ensure the film was appropriate, acceptable and applicable to the majority of audiences. With that in mind Id like to pose a question; What if The Hunger Games film was darker? What if they werent restricted by the scrutiny from the British Board Of Film Classification or variations of? Heres what I think would have been modified had they been let lose on the content of the film. 
The Hunger Games books are inherently bleak. For starters its set in an impoverished nation devastated and shattered by a war fought by a generation decades ago. The people of the districts are in insolvency, famished in destitution. Its difficult to show that setting which is viewable for 12 year olds. I consider the film to have been quite a relaxed District #12 in comparison with the description of the District in the book. The book paints the picture of an completely war torn institution suffering at the helms of a vile dictatorship. I dont know if this diminishes the film by any means but it would change the tone of characters. Katniss comes across as overly content in her environment within the district fence. This is not the same perception I got from the book. I dont believe this is a poor reflection on Jenifer Laurences acting, as I feel she was the epitome of perfection in the role of Katniss, her mannerisms and portrayal was sublime. Its difficult to act like youre in destitution when that isnt the imagery projected in the backdrop. Next element that could have been modified is Haymitch. His alcoholism was tamed in comparison with the book where the his nature was less empathetic and unforgiving. This is a man who for twenty-four years has watched two children under his guidance and instruction slaughtered for the amusement of the citizens of the Capitol. To portray such a character would make younger audience members uncomfortable but his brash nature is a essential characteristic that leads to his self-spiral of destruction and the complexity of the character. He is also inherently violent which is highlighted by his assault on Peeta. This could be considered to distressing for the youthful spectators. Click "next" below to read part 2...