As pretty much everyone in the world knows (no exaggeration, whatsoever), The Hunger Games was released this week after much anticipation. In short, mostly people were scared that Lionsgate (they own the rights to Twilight) would fuck up as badly as they did last time.
Well, have no fear little ducklings, this wasn’t the case. While we did have a somewhat emotionless heroine leading the way at times, at least she was supposed to be that way…unlike a certain other actress we know of…
For those who don’t know the storyline…screw it. I’m not going to tell it to you. Go out and buy the fricking book will ya? Or at the very least, do what any other lazy person would do and find a review of the book and read it (I suggest mine). OK. Everyone up to date? Drum roll please…
What They Got Right:
- Most of the casting. Woody Harrelson, gold. And while some people were expecting Cillian Murphy in gold eyeliner, I kinda dug the look on Lenny Kravitz, being the rock god he is and all. Plus, Liam Hemsworth as Gale? Perfection! Now even when Gale is a bit of an arse later in the series, his good looks will make up for it.
- The storyline. So often film adaptations of books suck. Badly. Particularly when they are as well-known and current as The Hunger Games. Yet, I felt that they stayed true to the original storyline, and only strayed when it would have been too grotesque for film (Cato taking hours upon hours of dying, for example). Saying that, Suzanne Collins was one of the screen writers so that could explain a lot.
- The emotional aspects. OK, I cried. I didn’t bawl, per say, but a few little tears may have found their way down my cheek. Sob sob. The scene where Rue died was truly heart-wrenching, especially when it was combined with the rebellion in District 11. If any scene in the film encapsulated what it would be like to lose a child, that one did it.
- The scenery-everything was exactly how it should of been. Authentic and real. District 12 distinctly showed it was the poorest District; the arena was just how I imagined it, and; the Capitol was the perfect mix of weird, wonderful, but borderline realistic.
What Didn’t Work:
- Peeta. Sorry Josh Hutcherson but you really just don’t do it for me. OK, so I’ve never been too much of a fan of Peeta (the boy loves bread a little too much), but I felt that this casting choice wasn’t great. In the books Peeta is so weak and needy, I felt that they could have boosted up his credibility just a little bit by casting someone a bit, well, manlier. On top of that, I felt that there was no chemistry between Peeta and Katniss, which was really disappointing because it felt so apparent in the novel. Plus it weirded me out that he was shorter than Jennifer Lawrence.
- Woody Harrelson’s hair. What the heck? How do they get something so right, like the transformation of Elizabeth Banks into Effie Trinket, and then put THAT on Woody’s head? Is Haymitch meant to go around with a dead animal on his head? Did I completely miss that plot line? No? Well then, why? WHY?
- Camera Shots-for the most part these were fine. But during the action scenes, and right at the start, they were jerky and all over the place. I understand it’s to help convey emotion, but at the same time, it made me feel nauseous. Plus, when there is action, I would like to actually watch said action.
- Some acting. Overall I thought the acting was quite good (Stanley Tucci, you could never disappoint me), but there were moments when it fluctuated. We went from almost silent, still moments, to sudden declarations of love. Plus, every conversation that Katniss and her sister, Primrose, had seemed to end with Primrose screaming hysterically. Understandable given the plot of the film, but still.
So there you have it. One down, two to go. I’ll admit, I’m already excited for Catching Fire, partially because Liam Hemsworth will be in it more, but also because of the next arena, AKA the Ticking Time Bomb of DOOM (I may have paraphrased). Also, any suggestions on who should play Finnick? I vote for Aussie Xavier Samuel; he’s attractive, bronze-y looking, plus he and Liam can keep each other company by talking about football (or something…).
What did you think of the film? Did it live up to your expectations? Have you read the books as well? Please let me know!
beckyday6
Mar 24, 2012 @ 09:16:53
Hehe, I popped my review up of this yesterday 🙂 I agree with a lot of your points, especially Woody Harrelson’s hair! Haha. I think my favorite scene was either district 11 uprising, or do you remember the scene when Katniss has just got to the Capitol, and she’s thinking of how she’s going to have to fight and kill people and run for her life? And then that Capitol family gives their child a sword, and he’s all happy about it and starts playing with it, and Katniss just watches. I thought that was an amazing little scene that really showed the difference in thinking between the Capitol and the districts.
I agree with the chemistry between Peeta and Katniss, I felt there was some there, but not enough, I think the problem was that they didn’t have enough screen time together to build their relationship, but it was a two hour film so they couldn’t really give them anymore. I get that you dislike Peeta because he’s wimpy, but he is kinda supposed to be like that, his words and emotional strength is supposed to move people while Gale is much more the action guy.
Also, in regards to your camera shots comment, the reason they did so many fast shots wasn’t so much for the emotion, but because they had to do the violent scenes where you could barely see any violence – for the younger viewers. I think they managed it ok, but like you, it got kind of annoying and dizzy, I think it would have benefitted much more from a higher age rating, but I understand why they couldn’t do that
Good review, definitely interesting to see what others thought about this film! 🙂
setinmotion
Mar 26, 2012 @ 05:29:29
Oh really? I need to check it out then, don’t I?!
Yes! I know the exact scene that you’re talking about. You’re completely right, for such a small moment in the film it perfectly showed the juxtaposition between the two areas. Katniss fears having to kill others, while the Capitol just think its entertainment; that and the children agree that its OK to kill others.
Hmmm…good point. I agree that Peeta is more about the emotional rather than the physical (clearly I just like big brutes of men…what does that say about me?), but I also think that this wasn’t particularly displayed in the film. Yes there was the scene with Cesar where he acts witty and in love and blah blah, but otherwise I felt that they didn’t really do him justice. For instance, they made out that he was an arsehole with the bread, but really in the book he risks his neck to save Katniss’ life. Big difference. Also, I was talking to a friend who saw it and hadn’t read the books and she didn’t think that Peeta was in love with Katniss, she just assumed he was faking it for the cameras as well.
Saying that, you were right. There’s only so much they can show in a 2 hour film full of action, so perhaps we’ll just have to see the next two films to see if they show more of his proper character. What a pain right?
Ooh! Is THAT why? Well that makes sense then! (You smarty pants). To be honest, considering it is a film/novel that is based on a dystopian future where violence between children is entertainment, it’s easy to forget that the demographic is really for 15 year olds.
beckyday6
Mar 26, 2012 @ 13:54:58
Haha thank you for checking out my post 🙂 It’s so strange, our blogs seem to be in tune with each other lately! But then, I suppose that’s bound to happen when we have similar interests!
Haha, who doesn’t love a big brute of a man? 😉 Yeah, do agree with you, I don’t think his role was quite right. It was better than I thought it was going to be from the trailer, but it still could have been a lot better. Really? Wow! That is bad then, I did feel like some parts of the film could be confusing to others, the fact that your friend thought that seems like proof! I think if they had done the final scene of the book properly, (the train journey) then maybe, just maybe, it would have been more obvious and would have created more of a connection between Katniss and Peeta.
Haha totally! Also my friend told me today (don’t know if this is a reliable source) that there going to spilt the last film in two. I mean come on! I swear ever film is doing this now, it’s all Harry Potter’s fault! 😉
Haha I think mostly yeah (also I’m not that smart I saw an interview where they talked about it :P) although it was still shakey in parts where there wasn’t violence so maybe the cinematographer just had some weird obsession with shakey camera. 😛
kimthefangirl
Mar 24, 2012 @ 20:34:12
“While we did have a somewhat emotionless heroine leading the way at times, at least she was supposed to be that way…unlike a certain other actress we know of…”
Hahahahaha!!! Laughing. Can’t breathe.
Okay. I’m good.
Love your review! I might just have to fork over the ten dollars and see the movie. The soundtrack is fantastic, by the way. You have persuaded me, my friend. Of course, I bought ‘Breaking Dawn’ and still haven’t watched it. Oops. 🙂
setinmotion
Mar 26, 2012 @ 05:23:33
Hahahaha. Oh good. Sometimes I wonder that people don’t understand my humour. Good to know I have one person who finds me funny, even if you do live on the other side of the world…
Its good! I recommend it, particularly if you weren’t super in love with the novels and have to have them a certain way.
WHAT??!?!?! YOU STILL HAVENT SEEN BREAKING DAWN? Actually. Meh. Get where you’re coming from. The control perfectionist freak wants to buy it so I have all of them, but I doubt I’d watch it and I’m too poor to buy DVDs I dont use…
kimthefangirl
Mar 26, 2012 @ 16:55:31
Humor is humor, even though we do live on different sides of the world. I could say the same about you. There are very few TVD, Twilight, RPattz, etc fans over here. It’s nice to know someone with the same interests, even though we live on different sides of the world. 🙂
Haha! You don’t know how many times I’ve heard that recently – with the same shouty capitals. It is quite shocking. Lol. I know what you mean, I don’t think I’ve watched any of the DVD’s. Well, except the first movie. The Rob commentary is priceless.
setinmotion
Mar 26, 2012 @ 22:38:03
Hahahaha. Yeah its the same over here. People just dont understand the joy I have over borderline terrible vampire related entertainment.
Hahaha, whats the Rob commentary???
kimthefangirl
Mar 27, 2012 @ 00:01:17
Exactly. 🙂
Instead of a directors commentary, they have S. Meyer, KStew, and Rob talking about the film as you watch it. Rob is hilarious of course. I haven’t watched it in forever, but I’ll never forget this line: “Everyone would hate me. I mean, just look at me, walking around with my little peacoat on. Little customized peacoat.” Lol.
setinmotion
Mar 27, 2012 @ 08:05:32
Hahahaha! That sounds hilarious! And smart, people who much rather listen to rpatzz over Catherine hardworking
setinmotion
Mar 27, 2012 @ 08:06:24
Hard wick. Stupid auto correct
Emma
Mar 27, 2012 @ 16:36:08
Going to see this Thursday night so I have only read the first 3 paragraphs of your review. Looking forward to seeing this, finished the book last week. Phew, just in time!
setinmotion
Mar 27, 2012 @ 22:52:41
Oh! I’m glad I didn’t give anything away then!
What did you think of the book? I assume you liked it if you’re off to see the film…
Emma
Mar 28, 2012 @ 11:26:00
I really enjoyed it and sped through the other 2 books as well. I did find them quite disturbing though, particularly as they’re YA books. Only 24 hours to go before I get to see the film!! Woot woot.
setinmotion
Mar 29, 2012 @ 11:24:59
Oh I know right?? A dystopian future where children fight to the death, unless they can sexually manipulate one another to help survive. And TEENAGERS are reading this?
Saying that, the whole fantasy genre is hard for younger people. I wouldn’t recommend even twilight for the 12 year olds who are reading it. Whatever happened to good old babysitters club and meg cabot??
Emma
Mar 30, 2012 @ 12:46:04
Oh the days of innocence!! Today’s youngsters are far more grown up than I was.
Finally saw the movie last night and really enjoyed it. The concentration camp-like scene of The Reaping was really sinister, much more so than it came across in the book. I actually liked Peeta more in the film than in the book, is that weird? I agree though, they did make him look like an arsehole in the bread scene. Overall I thought they did a great job of transalting the book too the big screen.
setinmotion
Apr 01, 2012 @ 06:43:03
Oh I’m glad you liked it! Did you finish reading my review after you saw it? ahahaha.
It was wasn’t it? I thought that depicted District 12 really well; it gave the sense of despair and hopelessness of the place.
I’m interested how they will do the next two films, particularly how they will do the Arena in Catching Fire. Lets wait and see!
Emma
Apr 01, 2012 @ 14:40:10
Just looking at my above comment. I’d like to correct ‘translating the book to the big screen’ 🙂
I did go back to your review after, ha ha.
setinmotion
Apr 02, 2012 @ 01:41:23
HA! Noted 🙂