The Hunger Games (12) Gary Ross DVD/Blu-ray

The central premise of this adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ bestseller is potent: that, in the near future, a selection of teenagers from the poorer neighbourhoods are forced to slaughter each other in the woods for the delectation of a TV audience.

It doesn’t have the devilish spirit of Battle Royale, but it does have the outstanding Jennifer Lawrence (below) as the plucky heroine, Katniss. The first hour drags, but once the teens are unleashed into the wild this turns into an actioner.