But you know me, and I can't resist sharing a few thoughts anyway. Hang tight. (Spoilers ahead!)
- It was awesome. Every complaint I have about the movie is secondary to that one fact. The Hunger Games movie surprised me with how good it was; not only excellent visual supplement to the books, but a great movie in its own right. It even beat out the Harry Potter movies with its kickass storytelling that didn't rely on knowledge of the books as a crutch, and that's saying something.
- The shaky-cam was so intense, I almost threw up in the theater. Look, I get the point of shaky cam as a stylistic tool. Sometimes it worked, and there were scenes I couldn't imagine any other way. But do yourself a favor and don't sit in the front row if you want to be able to walk in a straight line afterwards.
- The casting was almost perfect. Jennifer Lawrence kicked holy ass as Katniss, Lenny Kravitz made Cinna unbelievably sexy, Amandla Stenberg made me cry, Josh Hutcherson made a great Peeta, and Elizabeth Banks was a perfect Effie. But seriously, how hard would it have been to cast a Gale who could act? Liam Hemsworth was terrible, and my sister maintains that the casting director must be Team Peeta all the way.
- Rue's death scene was disappointing. Jennifer Lawrence and Amandla Stenberg were spot-on, acting-wise, but it felt rushed and not nearly as affecting as it was in the books. Believe me, I was still bawling, but it didn't quite capture the injustice of the whole games. Rue's death was when I wanted to start my own revolution. In the movie, it was just one more gory, awful spectacle.
- In fact, the whole movie skirts around the very issues that made the book so good. Ethically, The Hunger Games fails as a movie. And that's disappointing. I know Katniss's main focus is to stay alive, but I detected barely a whiff of the viva-la-revolution spirit that made me fall in love with this series, and that's disappointing.
- It was awesome. I've been waiting far too impatiently for far too long to say that the moment I sat down in the theater was anything less than awe-inspiring. I feel like I've been a part of this series from day one, and it was so special to finally see it on the big screen.
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2. Oh, man I thought I was the only one who was tormented by the movement. We sat in the VERY front row and it was like I was on a ship or something. I was nauseated for a long time afterwards, too! (Same thing happened when I watched the first scenes in Saving Private Ryan many years ago).
4. Agree with Rue's death not being as impactful as it was in the book, at least for me.
I liked the movie, just didn't feel like it was as detailed as the book. Some of the details they left out were disappointing - like the bread scene. It never really portrayed the way it was such a big turning point in Katniss's life.
I completely agree! I found the movie absolutely amazing, but I felt as though if Liam was given a little more script to work with other than multiple significant glances, he might just surprise us all.
I was upset that we never saw Katniss enjoying the food. The food in the Capitol was so significant in the book, and one of the only things about the experience she enjoyed, and I was sad we didn't get to see that in the movie. I do wish there had been more of Rue in the movie, although there was a lot of material in the book that they had to cover, and a movie can only be so long. I thought they did well with the time they had, but I wish we'd gotten to know her a bit better. Overall, I loved it though! I couldn't stop talking about it all day Friday. I drove my family nuts. :]
see, I thought that the characters in the movie lacked development big time. And that some of the issues that are so big in the book are, as you said, brushed over. I didn't think it was as awesome as you did, unfortunately. It did have its excellent moments, though.
I actually didn't cry at Rue's death in the movie, which was a failing of the movie because I bawled like a baby in the books. Granted I had my hands on my ears so I wouldn't hear anybody cry, but I agree. I like Liam, but I think they should have reshot his scenes. He sounded like he was running down hill and was out of breath, so they just took the best take and it sucked. I liked him overall though, well I just like his angry glares at the camera, the whole crowd at the movie theatre was laughing. Overall, it was enjoyable, I'd see it again. I really wish they would have had more time in the capitol. I agree many of the issues that it brought up were kind of glossed over in the movie (which really isn't surprising)
Truly, I was sicker than I've ever been in a movie in my life. We went out to eat afterwards and I could barely swallow.
I was disappointed in a few scenes they left out, too--the food! How could they leave out all the delicious food?--but all in all, I was okay with how they handled the adaptation. I don't think many of the scenes they left out would have translated to the screen well.
I guess we'll find out in Catching Fire!
They really downplayed the starvation aspect, didn't they? I don't buy the reviewers that have said Jennifer Lawrence didn't look hungry enough in the role--I can't say enough how perfect I thought she was--but I was disappointed that they didn't contrast the food in the districts and the food in the Capitol more.
They did lack development, especially Rue. I'm not sure if this will be a movie that will hold up to multiple viewings for me, but it surpassed all of my expectations, at least, and that made it a great way to spend a couple of hours in the movie theater.
Rue's death scene was definitely the biggest disappointment for me. I'd figured on being disappointed there, anyway--there was no way the scene was going to be as powerful as it was in the book--but I really did enjoy the movie and was impressed overall. Can't wait to see what they do with Catching Fire!
I haven't seen it! Hopefully in a week or two. :(
But I think Rue is adorable and I am fully planning to cry when she dies. *packs tissues*
I LOVED it as well, but I felt like the whole Reaping scene was rushed and not as powerful as it was in the book.
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