Anyhow, for those of you have been living in District 13, Hunger Games, like Harry Potter and Twilight, has become a world-wide phenomenon for tweens and teens . . . and even some adults. Young characters (between the ages of 12 and 18) are forced to participate in the Hunger Games -- a fight to the death match to prove that the Capitol is all powerful over the Districts 12 remaining districts. The book is centered around the 74th annual Games. This time however, things end in an unexpected manner that changes everything and leads into the last two books.
My like/dislike for this movie is complicated. In fact, I wasn't pleased with the film rendition of the story when I saw it opening night and the next two nights as well. But, seeing as I've watched it 20 times, it's grown on me so much that I hold it equally as good as the book. On the one hand, there are scenes in the book that I love. I also appreciate hearing Katniss think her way through the Games to eventual victory. On the other hand, there are some scenes and characters that look stronger visually than they appeared in the text. Each cover for what the other lacks, giving a fully-rounded, well-connected movie.
The problem is that the book is limited strictly by what Katniss sees/does. The movie tries to broaden the spectrum so the audience gets a clearer picture of what's going on without them -- Game Maker's room. President Snow and Seneca Crane (my personal favorite because Donald Sutherland makes me laugh), reactions to what's going on in 11 and 12. All of that exists only in the movie. But that's not the only reason I like the film.
I like that the movie began by starting in the Capital with the Game Maker almost justifying the Games by making it sound like a positive thing. This makes seeing the Games much more sickening and sends a powerful message about the things people watch/do for entertainment. The same thing happens through Caesar Flickerman's interviews and "sports" updates with Templesmith. It's horrible, but that's Collins' point, so I'll get over it.
The most prominent way the book differs from the film is through the characters; specifically, I'm thinking of Katniss, Prim, and Peeta.
In the movie, Katniss is true to her reaction in the book when Gale saying he wanted kids and wanted to leave to live in the forest -- Gale has hope, Katniss is too realistic/pessimistic to have that hope. As she says on the night before the Games -- "I can't afford to think that way." In both texts, Karniss has this "things are never going to change attitude"; highly ironic because she changes everything with the nightlock berries. Both Katnisses are very dismissive of and clearly angry with her mother throughout beginning, but it is a deeper intensity in the book, giving more details to why Katniss regards her mother the way she does. Also, book Katniss appears to hate hate getting help more because she believes that help means you're weak because you can't do it alone, and Katniss is all about pride, defensive, arrogant and strength. That is really missing from the movie because movie Katniss seems more willing to cry and be emotional than book Katniss who is cold, hostile, and apparently emotionless. The nice thing, however, is that Katniss seems to be pretty flat in the book (comparatively), but Lawrence gives Katniss more dimension and realism.
The book mentions Peeta crying and uncertain -- exactly how he appears between his name being called and the train until Haymitch shows up. This is important because it shows that both book and movie Peeta more rounded out character opposed to Katniss, who would never cry because she is all about strength and crying makes you look weak. Furthermore, book Peeta's attitude, voice, and essence is embedded into every piece of movie Peeta -- the best part being the interview prior to the games.
The biggest change was in Prim. In the book, you don't know anything about her being afraid or emotional at all until her name is called, but even then, there's not much there emotion-wise. The movie makes a more compelling choice by giving her fear and nervousness and other strong emotions. This really adds to Prim's character and breathes life into her because she's kind of dead on the page.
Even more important than the characters are the actors / actresses who play them. They deserve a lot of credit for their hard work. Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Jennifer Lawrence, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci -- all of them did such a good job and should be recognized accordingly.
And there are just so many wonderful scenes brought to life in the film. 1) We can actually see the training room; the scene after Katniss shoots the apple is so much funnier; the scenes between Katniss and Rue -- I wish we could have heard the conversations they had about the differences in their districts, but that's okay because the did her death right -- the most important scene; and the scenes in the cave were good, but in the book, the cave is much more intimate and wonderful in the book --you lose some of the intensity and deepness of their love blooming, but that's okay.
There are also scenes missing from or changed in the movie which I appreciate. The trackerjacker hallucination; the mutts; and Peeta losing his leg. Even more important is the initial sequence after the Games begin. I love the ringing / silence as they get to cornucopia and get supplies or die trying; hearing them die would have just made it worse.
Also, the costumes in Capital are brilliant, but I wish they could have done something different with Peeta and Katniss's parade clothes and Katniss' hair. Just saying. No. I love everything about the Capitol. It's futuristic, clean and everything it should have been. And I love how they make the Capitol game room look. It's awesome and just like it should be.
All in all, they did a good job editing the film to accompany the book. I've come to the conclusion that I do in fact like the movie as much as I like the book, and I can't wait for Catching Fire. It's going to be awesome.
Because it's funny
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