Suzanne Collins' "Hunger Games" trilogy: "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," "Mockingjay."
"Intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens."
That's enough to earn the hotly anticipated March 23 release "The Hunger Games" a PG-13 rating.
Which, if you ask anyone I've polled, is what everyone would have rated the book, so that's true to the source material.
We're talking about kids being killed -- those between the ages of 12 to 18 -- so the film was never going to receive a PG rating, unless it was not going to be faithful to the series of books.
Suzanne Collins, author of "The Hunger Games," has seen the movie based on her best-selling book, and her immediate reaction is a rave.
In a note posted to the movie's official Facebook page, Collins heaped praise on the film's vision of her books and the work of the actors.
The full note from Collins to the fans of "The Hunger Games" follows. The movie based on the first of her three books in the trilogy opens on March 23, and tickets are on sale now.
Dear Readers,
I've just had the opportunity to see the finished film of The Hunger Games. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I feel like the book and the film are individual yet complementary pieces that enhance one another. The film opens up the world beyond Katniss' point of view, allowing the audience access to the happenings of places like the Hunger Games control room and President Snow's rose garden, thereby adding a new dimension to the story.
Director Gary Ross has created an adaptation that is faithful in both narrative and theme, but he's also brought a rich and powerful vision of Panem, its brutality and excesses, to the film as well. His world building's fantastic, whether it be the Seam or the Capitol. It’s amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.
And, my God, the actors. The cast, led by the extraordinary Jennifer Lawrence, is absolutely wonderful across the board. It's such a pleasure to see how they've embodied the characters and brought them to life.
So I'd like to sincerely thank all the many people who devoted their time and talents to the film, especially producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, and the excellent teams at Color Force, Larger Than Life, and Lionsgate.
I hope you enjoy the film!
Suzanne Collins
