Lionsgate Pictures

Sometimes a movie is better than the book it sprang from, particularly if the source material is a pop culture phenomenon: when a novel like that gets stripped down to its essential parts, a better, more compelling story can come to life. And if that story is filmed with visual flair and dramatic detail, it can make a really good movie.

That is what we have in The Hunger Games.

Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss Everdeen, the resourceful heroine of this dark story. It’s set in an oppressive future society where rebellion is contained through fear, near starvation and military might, and by forcing children to fight each other to death in an annual nationally televised event; a kind of murderous Olympics that sends a powerful message about the cruel might of the ruling class.

Katniss is intellectually and physically tough but emotionally vulnerable, and Lawrence does a fabulous job of walking that tightrope; we believe our heroine can kick ass as we simultaneously feel for her soft heart. So when she volunteers to take her little sister’s place in the Hunger Games, we aren’t surprised by her protective impulse and we immediately start pulling for her – maybe she can win it! – even though Lawrence’s face, in that moment, registers only shock and fear. But she is a rebel at heart – she has been slipping through the barbed wire of her District Twelve compound to hunt for food – and as the games progress her courage and her independent attitude begin to unnerve the powers that be (represented, menacingly, by Donald Sutherland) which, not surprisingly, doesn’t bother her at all.

It’s easy to imagine the emotions a kid – or anyone – might feel if they are thrown into an arena and forced to fight to the death. Fear, certainly. Panic, along with a deadly resolve simply to survive. But Katniss is angry, and that, in many ways is the source of her strength and the thing that makes her interesting. As she survives one competitor after another, she stokes a righteous rage about the casual cruelty of the Games and the unfeeling masterminds behind them. She begins to evolve into a warrior; she becomes dangerous.

Which brings me back to the notion of movies being better than books – Suzanne Collins had a remarkable concept when she started The Hunger Games trilogy, but the story - and Katniss -  lose tension and direction as the books progress. A good screenwriter could help get things on track; hopefully that will happen before the last film hist theaters.

With Woody Harrelson and Leny Kravitz in memorable performances as Katniss’ behind the scenes supporters during the games, and Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci as colorful representatives of the evil overlords. Oh, and there’s a love triangle of sorts: Josh Hutcherson plays a mild mannered kid who gets thrown into the games with Katniss, and Liam Hemsworth is her buff hunting partner – unlike other tween stories, these relationships aren’t the heart of the matter although they do have influence. But the point here is Katniss, and the evolution of a hero. Hopefully the writers will remember that. Playing everywhere. Big hit. B+