Never mind the not-so-subliminal class warfare angle, I want to focus on the violence in the movie. I have not seen it and don't plan to. I am basing this solely on the reviews I have read and their explanation of the film...
The movie, like the book, involves teens killing each other in a graphic assortment of ways, including death by spears and blows to the head by rocks. One "tribute," or teen warrior, kills another by snapping his neck. Another is stung to death by mutant yellow jackets, while yet another is devoured for hours by rabid dogs.
Sounds like a good family film.
The author states the book is a commentary on the horrors of war and violence...and she does this by writing a book which spawned a blockbuster movie depicting kids engaging in...war...and violence.
Oh, I get it! The absurdity of the children participating in such graphic activities is the message. The violence is necessary to the plot of the movie and ultimately the betterment of man through the realization that sometimes the ends justify the means.
So, the violence is paramount and can be overlooked because it is for the greater good.
Too bad the critics didn't afford the violence in "The Passion of the Christ" that same privilege.
