Before I get into this allow me to tell everyone what I tell my kids – The book is always better than the movie!
That said, I am thrilled with Katniss Everdeen! Katniss is a strong, consistent in her actions, smart hero. You can’t help but root for her. And go ahead and cheer, because Katniss Everdeen won’t let you down. There is no damsel in distress moment, no need to be rescued for stupid, reckless behavior. Not one.
It’s time for a Team Katniss!
Which is an interesting point, especially compared to her Box Office counterpart – Bella Swan from Twilight. Consider this… even though Twilight is the story of Bella Swan, there is no Team Bella. We have Team Edward and Team Jacob. And why wouldn’t we, since in every Twilight movie it’s hard to keep count of which of these male teams rescues Bella next. In fact, you could easily change the title of the series from “Twilight” to “Saving Bella.”
Not so with the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen’s survival is based on Katniss Everdeen.
Let me explain… Here’s what I love about Katniss:
1. She’s a strong female character with strong female relationships.
Katniss’ relationship with her sister and mother is not something we often see in our female heroines. Bella Swan’s mother is a flighty footnote who sends Bella to live with her father (surrounded by his male friends) while she follows her husband across the country on the baseball circuit. Several weeks ago we watched Hanna, a young girl raised, in the wilderness by her father, to become the ultimate assassin. Even Mulan seeks her father’s counsel throughout the film, probably because her mother is only interested in finding her a husband. The Hunger Games breaks this mold quite thoroughly.
2. Katniss doesn’t have moments of inexplicable stupidity.
Like I said, Katniss is consistent in her actions. She is who she is, and our surefooted Katniss never suddenly trips. She doesn’t make a move without thought. She is smart and skilled, and if she wasn’t these things the movie would have had a different ending.
3. Katniss isn’t self-sacrificing.
I am really tired of female leads or co-stars who sacrifice themselves in order for the male lead to save the day. Trinity, in the Matrix, comes to mind. Bella Swan, after being impregnated by a vampire with no bodily fluids, refuses to abort the unknown vampire/child/thing rapidly growing inside her and rapidly killing her. She will sacrifice herself even though she has NO idea what is growing inside her. It’s a new spin on Rosemary’s Baby – whose reaction to her frightening pregnancy was much more believable.
In contrast, Katniss’s volunteering to take her little sister’s place in the Hunger Games makes sense. If Prim goes she will die. Katniss has a chance. And while there is no doubt that Katniss’ actions are rooted in her love for her sister, she isn’t self-sacrificing for the sake of being self-sacrificing. The situation facing her is horrendous, but the decision she makes is based in strategy. The only choice before her is either her sister goes and dies, or she goes and the odds of them both living increase.
4. Which lead me to her compassion.
While Katniss’ decision to volunteer for the Hunger Games is driven by love for, and need to protect, her little sister, her behavior remains strategic. Unlike other female heroes, Uma Thurman and Lucy Liu in Kill Bill come to mind, she isn’t cold and emotionless. She retains her humanity in a way unlike the endless stream of female bad asses before her. She is compassionate, but she uses her head to reach her compassionate goal of saving Peeta.
5. She learns and understands the rules of the Hunger Games and adapts her actions to survive.
Katniss evolves depending on her circumstances. If playing the part of Juliet to Peeta’s Romeo will keep her alive and cause sponsors to send them necessary supplies, then she will play the part. There is no faux outrage, or being true to her heart nonsense. There are rules to this game and she will use them to her advantage.
6. Katniss doesn’t defer to men, simply because they’re men.
There is no ego stroking by Katniss in this first movie – although I am sure she would do it if, and only if, it led to her survival. In contrast, Bella Swan doesn’t drive her own flippin’ car. If Edward and Jacob are with her, they are in the driver’s seat. Ah… symbolism. Gotta love it.
Here’s a final thought. Katniss is an individual, her actions consistent with who she is. She does not break character, and you will not leave this movie or close this book wondering why she did something. Which is really saying something.
*This one’s for you, Socialistic Ben! 😉