Reaction Paper: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The film was science fiction. The film showed technology in a way not yet used by society, however, it may not be all impossible to develop machines and devices to that level. It may be fiction, but elements of current reality will still be seen throughout the movie. A lot of the things the poorer districts do are already done by people of the past. The capitol and the arena may be the leaders in terms of technology for the film and are the ones which are fictional in this time.

 

The film was able to convey the past and present of human society. The past was seen in the lives of the poorer districts, with its simplicity. Despite the difficulties they experience as laborers of society, they are also very close to nature in almost everything they do, since it is one of the ways they can keep alive. The arena battles also give a feel of medieval times especially with the weapons they use. The present was seen with the similarity in the usage of the technology they have to modern society. The usage reminds me of how social media is used today, and the extension of the so-called privacy to the prying eyes of those with access to certain media. Human nature throughout history has shown the capability for adapting to the ever changing environment, and this was strongly felt in the film. This was not only shown in the physical aspect but also in the political, emotional and psychological stands of the different characters. The future was not necessarily conveyed in the film as the future is not yet known and it may indeed be possible to reach that kind of future but there still remains the chance of it being entirely different.

 

Science, technology and society failed in building a balance in the film. Society was corrupted by the technological advancements they achieved. The people who became regular users of the growing technology, particularly those in the Capitol, were quickly swallowed by the convenience and accepted things as they are. It was a funny thing to actually see in the movie that the people from the Capitol encourage drinking something that would make one sick just to eat more food. Convenient, yet improper and seen as something normal. The movie was able to exhibit and amplify the flaws of human society which served as the baseline or the plot of the story.

 

Denz Joseph R. Borrero

2009-37801