It comes as no surprise that box office sensation “The Hunger Games” won overwhelming favor at the MTV Movie Awards. The kids loved the film’s action, and libertarians loved to comment on whether it was government propaganda, drawing still more movie-goers to theaters. The science fiction action film was directed by Gary Ross, and based on the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins. The film was produced by Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, with a screenplay by Ross, Collins, and Billy Ray. It stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, and Donald Sutherland.
The dystopian survival saga escaped from Sunday’s 21st annual extravaganza with the most golden popcorn-shaped trophies, including best fight for the film’s final three-way battle and best on-screen transformation for Elizabeth Banks’ over-the-top futuristic makeover. “Hunger Games” stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson were also honored for best female and male performances.
“I’ve wanted to hold a golden popcorn since I was 4 years old,” beamed Hutcherson.
With four wins out of eight nominations, “Hunger Games” didn’t totally decimate the competition. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” won prizes for best cast and best hero, while “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” won for movie of the year, and “Twilight” stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson locked the best kiss trophy for the fourth straight year.
“God, Rob’s not here, you guys. I don’t really know what to do,” said Stewart, who pretended to make out with herself.
“Bridesmaids” walked away with two awards, though their wins weren’t televised. The cast of the naughty comedy won best gut-wrenching performance for the scene in which the ladies battled food poisoning, and Melissa McCarthy won the best comedic performance award.
The live, fan-favorite ceremony was hosted by bawdy actor-comedian Russell Brand. He opened the show by poking fun of Michael Fassbender’s full-frontal endowment in “Shame” and Kim Kardashian’s short-lived marriage, which he acknowledged was hypocritical. (Brand filed for divorce last year from pop superstar Katy Perry, who performed at the Brand-hosted MTV Video Music Awards in 2009, after 14 months of marriage.)
“Tonight, I’m gonna keep my eyes peeled for my next wife,” joked Brand. “Fasssssbender!”
In lieu of a wordy acceptance speech for his MTV Generation Award, the show’s version of a lifetime achievement trophy, Johnny Depp performed with The Black Keys. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry presented the award to the 48-year-old “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, who accompanied The Black Keys on guitar for “Gold on the Ceiling” and “Lonely Boy.”
“It’s like the get-out-of-the-business award,” said Depp.
Other winners Sunday included Shailene Woodley for breakthrough performance for “The Descendants,” Jennifer Aniston as best on-screen dirtbag for “Horrible Bosses” and LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” from “21 Jump Street” for best music.