'Hunger Games' shows similarities to 'Survivor'

“The Hunger Games,” one of this year’s most highly anticipated movies, hit theaters this month and has already been a huge box-office success. Evidently, it could become the next favorite movie franchise, like the “Harry Potter” series or the “Twilight” saga.

“The Hunger Games” is a three-part series, consisting of the books “The Hunger Games,” “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay,” that is planned to be separated into four total films.

The series has a unique concept to it that makes this franchise stand out from others. The author of the book series, Suzanne Collins, was inspired to write “The Hunger Games” from flipping the channels back and forth from CNN Iraq War footage and the CBS reality television series “Survivor.”

Being a fan of both “The Hunger Games” and “Survivor,” I can point out that “The Hunger Games” actually has a lot of similarities to “Survivor.” The story of the first part of “The Hunger Games” is about a game of surviving until there is only one person left standing.

Before that happens in the plot, there is back story. In the fictional country named Panem, where the story is set, there are 12 “districts.” Each district has to select one boy and one girl from the ages of 12-18 to compete in an annual event called the Hunger Games.

The event honors the time when the districts of Panem were impoverished and rebelled to overtake the wealthy Capitol. In the annual Hunger Games, the participants must outlast everyone else by killing their opponents.

Being alone in this competition is a risk because players make alliances to wipe out everyone else or even backstab each other at random times. This environment means that no one can be trusted, which is what makes the game so complex.

In “The Hunger Games,” the main characters – Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark – don’t start off in the same alliance. Peeta allies with a few other people from other districts because they’re targeting Katniss, since she received high pre-ratings before the hunger games began.

Similar to “The Hunger Games,” in “Survivor,” contestants from around the U.S. compete for one million dollars by earning the title of Sole Survivor. However, before they can achieve that, they must vote off someone from their tribe. Everyone on “Survivor” is sent to an island separated from humanity. There can only be one winner who is ultimately the Sole Survivor.

While contestants in “Survivor” don’t kill each other, “Survivor” represents a metaphorical version of “The Hunger Games.” Just like in “The Hunger Games,” there is lying and backstabbing among contestants on “Survivor.”

People will do whatever they have to for a million dollars, just as people will do whatever they have to do to stay alive.

The question of “how can I make sure I can trust you?” comes up in both of these competitions because no one wants to get screwed over by their ally, whether it costs them their lives or a million dollars.

When one gets voted out on “Survivor,” their torch is snuffed. The person voted out doesn’t die like the characters in “The Hunger Games” do, but he or she gets sent home.

Having the torch snuffed is a metaphorical death to that person. Going back to “The Hunger Games,” this film represents an engaging story that has action and violence (while not being as gory), drama and incredible visual effects.

It’s worth seeing and will capture anyone’s attention because you’ll feel connected to Katniss and Peeta throughout the journey in winning the right to stay alive.