The Hunger Game Movie Review Fan to Fan
Alright, so I didn't write this right after the movie because I wanted time for it to sink in. However, as I was letting it sink in I was reading reviews as well from fans and I had a few things that I needed to say.
As always with my reviews, do not read if you haven't seen the movie and/or read the book. Spoilers under the cut...
The first thing I have to say is that the movie to book ratio is actually pretty accurate. Sure there are a few of my favorite moments missing but they are small moments. Extremely small moments. I feel that they missed a couple of opportunities to engage the audience but overall the move made me cry, laugh and feel more than any movie since Deathly Hallows Part 1 which made me want to kill myself at the end.
I will address my worries first which were talked about before the premiere. I was extremely worried about how Katniss got the mockingjay pin with Madge being present in the movie but they played it off very well in the beginning. You get to see Katniss in the Hob with Greasy Sae who has this small basket of knick knacks and she asks about this beautiful but perfectly District 12 pin. Greasy Sae gives it to her. Everyone feels a little generous on reaping day. It's the perfect way and then she gives it Prim to make her feel better telling her it's a good luck charm. Of course when Katniss volunteers Prim gives it back to her. Then it gets weird, instead of putting in two sentences about having district tokens they use it for Cinna to rebel. It's just lacking. No one really mentions the pin or cares that she snuck it into the arena. I don't miss Madge but I miss the token part.
The second part is the Avoxes. I didn't miss them. I thought I would and yes it lacks the scene where Peeta and Katniss share a story that marks Katniss for the coward she is but other than that it definitely wasn't necessary.
So now to fans who keep complaining about it being rushed, yes in some ways it is, in some ways it isn't. Katniss dying of dehydration and getting the signals from Haymitch cannot be shown in the movie. Unless they use voiceovers which can kill a movie dead. cough twilight cough.
Another thing is that people say that Rue was rushed. Remember, we are in Katniss's head, so the day she stayed with Rue seems ten times bigger than it really is but Rue's part is small. And we are supposed to see why this upsets her. Rue is Prim's age, Prim's height and demeanor, we as an audience are supposed to feel these things. It does not have to spelled out for you. I cried for Rue, and honestly I cried for Katniss, she was so distraught and scared and for the first time I think she feels the pain of being in the arena.
Peeta's leg. That is the part people keep focusing on. EVEN COLLINS DID NOT FOCUS ON THAT DAMNED LEG!! It's fine guys. The part that kills me is that in the end, their was no frantic need to survive after Cato dies. I am not upset that his death was fast, that is okay. What I wanted was for Peeta to be bleeding to death and to see Katniss freak out for him. To show that for once she loved him truly and absolutely loved him. Instead we know that it is fake but we have no reassurance that she should be team Peeta.
Someone mentioned the District 11 bread. It wasn't in the movie. But a riot was. Better than some bread to show how District 11 felt about the games. How they see her cover the girl in flowers. How she salutes them. It's intense and shows what is going on without Katniss have to internal monologue how she thinks of the small piece of rebellion. It's not that big of a deal, it's a small gesture that was turned bigger to show what Katniss cannot say.
The things I did miss was where Katniss poisons Peeta. How much I wanted to see that desperation in his eyes when he knows he 's lost. I miss the boy coughing blood into her face during the Cornucopia scene.
The things I do love are some of the things other don't. No one likes the shaking. I love it. I felt scared and nauseous and oh no you can't see well guess what I bet in the middle of the arena you can't see either. Get over it. I love the Capitol, the training, the chariot ride, the interviews. Beautiful. I will have to look at the time next time to see but I think people forget how much of the book takes place in the Capitol, in the District 12 especially with flashbacks. How much time Peeta actually spends off camera. I believe they missed a small part with Peeta and Katniss. The bread scene was a little confusing for those who had no idea what was going on. Katniss's reluctance was great and the way she kissed him, for real was heartbreaking. I actually liked Gale although I feel Liam fell a little flat when he talked. HIs face though hurt me. I think the worse part about the capitol was that I felt that they weren't ignorant enough. The Hunger Games is portrayed as not quite real, it's something that happens outside themselves.
All in all the movie had some great qualities, missed a few bit of scenes but made me feel so many things. I loved the movie. I feel great about the casting choices. Jen just blew me away, her pain, anger, silence was great. Josh was perfectly lovely and someone Katniss needs to protect. Kravitz played Cinna so well I am scared for the second movie. Haymitch OMG! Seneca Crane! Just so many good things. I actually felt bad for Cato in the end. I feel bad for all them. I hope they have some extra scenes for the things I miss but overall it was great.
I had such a great time that night. Some one from Olive Garden actually asked if we were from the Capitol!
As always with my reviews, do not read if you haven't seen the movie and/or read the book. Spoilers under the cut...
The first thing I have to say is that the movie to book ratio is actually pretty accurate. Sure there are a few of my favorite moments missing but they are small moments. Extremely small moments. I feel that they missed a couple of opportunities to engage the audience but overall the move made me cry, laugh and feel more than any movie since Deathly Hallows Part 1 which made me want to kill myself at the end.
I will address my worries first which were talked about before the premiere. I was extremely worried about how Katniss got the mockingjay pin with Madge being present in the movie but they played it off very well in the beginning. You get to see Katniss in the Hob with Greasy Sae who has this small basket of knick knacks and she asks about this beautiful but perfectly District 12 pin. Greasy Sae gives it to her. Everyone feels a little generous on reaping day. It's the perfect way and then she gives it Prim to make her feel better telling her it's a good luck charm. Of course when Katniss volunteers Prim gives it back to her. Then it gets weird, instead of putting in two sentences about having district tokens they use it for Cinna to rebel. It's just lacking. No one really mentions the pin or cares that she snuck it into the arena. I don't miss Madge but I miss the token part.
The second part is the Avoxes. I didn't miss them. I thought I would and yes it lacks the scene where Peeta and Katniss share a story that marks Katniss for the coward she is but other than that it definitely wasn't necessary.
So now to fans who keep complaining about it being rushed, yes in some ways it is, in some ways it isn't. Katniss dying of dehydration and getting the signals from Haymitch cannot be shown in the movie. Unless they use voiceovers which can kill a movie dead. cough twilight cough.
Another thing is that people say that Rue was rushed. Remember, we are in Katniss's head, so the day she stayed with Rue seems ten times bigger than it really is but Rue's part is small. And we are supposed to see why this upsets her. Rue is Prim's age, Prim's height and demeanor, we as an audience are supposed to feel these things. It does not have to spelled out for you. I cried for Rue, and honestly I cried for Katniss, she was so distraught and scared and for the first time I think she feels the pain of being in the arena.
Peeta's leg. That is the part people keep focusing on. EVEN COLLINS DID NOT FOCUS ON THAT DAMNED LEG!! It's fine guys. The part that kills me is that in the end, their was no frantic need to survive after Cato dies. I am not upset that his death was fast, that is okay. What I wanted was for Peeta to be bleeding to death and to see Katniss freak out for him. To show that for once she loved him truly and absolutely loved him. Instead we know that it is fake but we have no reassurance that she should be team Peeta.
Someone mentioned the District 11 bread. It wasn't in the movie. But a riot was. Better than some bread to show how District 11 felt about the games. How they see her cover the girl in flowers. How she salutes them. It's intense and shows what is going on without Katniss have to internal monologue how she thinks of the small piece of rebellion. It's not that big of a deal, it's a small gesture that was turned bigger to show what Katniss cannot say.
The things I did miss was where Katniss poisons Peeta. How much I wanted to see that desperation in his eyes when he knows he 's lost. I miss the boy coughing blood into her face during the Cornucopia scene.
The things I do love are some of the things other don't. No one likes the shaking. I love it. I felt scared and nauseous and oh no you can't see well guess what I bet in the middle of the arena you can't see either. Get over it. I love the Capitol, the training, the chariot ride, the interviews. Beautiful. I will have to look at the time next time to see but I think people forget how much of the book takes place in the Capitol, in the District 12 especially with flashbacks. How much time Peeta actually spends off camera. I believe they missed a small part with Peeta and Katniss. The bread scene was a little confusing for those who had no idea what was going on. Katniss's reluctance was great and the way she kissed him, for real was heartbreaking. I actually liked Gale although I feel Liam fell a little flat when he talked. HIs face though hurt me. I think the worse part about the capitol was that I felt that they weren't ignorant enough. The Hunger Games is portrayed as not quite real, it's something that happens outside themselves.
All in all the movie had some great qualities, missed a few bit of scenes but made me feel so many things. I loved the movie. I feel great about the casting choices. Jen just blew me away, her pain, anger, silence was great. Josh was perfectly lovely and someone Katniss needs to protect. Kravitz played Cinna so well I am scared for the second movie. Haymitch OMG! Seneca Crane! Just so many good things. I actually felt bad for Cato in the end. I feel bad for all them. I hope they have some extra scenes for the things I miss but overall it was great.
I had such a great time that night. Some one from Olive Garden actually asked if we were from the Capitol!