Honest Trailers Season 1 Episode 7 Honest Trailers - The Hunger Games

In episode 7 of season 1 of Honest Trailers, the team takes on the blockbuster hit, The Hunger Games. The episode opens with a reminder of the film's dystopian setting and its famous protagonist, Katniss Everdeen. Narrator Jon Bailey wastes no time getting to the movie's obvious comparisons to other popular teen adventure stories, particularly the Twilight series. He also takes note of The Hunger Games' polarizing effect on audiences, as some have hailed it as a modern classic while others have criticized its violence and dark themes.

Bailey goes on to explain the basic premise of the film - in a future society called Panem, the ruling Capitol forces children from each district to participate in a televised death match called The Hunger Games. Katniss volunteers to take her younger sister's place and becomes a symbol of resistance for the oppressed districts. As usual, the Honest Trailers team expertly skewers the film's various plot holes and inconsistencies, such as why the Capitol allows two victors to emerge from one round of the games and why the control room seems to have no idea what's happening in the arena.

One of the highlights of this episode is the team's commentary on the Hunger Games' incessant product placement. Bailey notes that the film's protagonists are all "fighting to the death over a golden corncob" and jokes that the film was sponsored by "LensCrafters, because if you're going to fight to the death, you want to be able to see who you're killing." The team also has fun with the film's attempts to make futuristic fashion seem cutting edge, such as the garish gold eyeliner worn by the Capitol's residents.

The Honest Trailers team is not all criticism, however. They praise Jennifer Lawrence's performance as Katniss and note that the film succeeds thanks in part to its excellent supporting cast, including Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, and especially Donald Sutherland as the villainous President Snow. Bailey also admits that the film's themes of authoritarianism and revolution are especially relevant in today's political climate.

Overall, this episode of Honest Trailers is up to the usual high standards of the series. Fans of The Hunger Games will likely find plenty to laugh about, while those on the fence about the films might just be convinced to give them another chance. As always, the team balances humor and skepticism with a genuine appreciation for what makes the film work.