Yeah, you read the title of this post correctly. I finally went to see The Hunger Games last night. And I don't regret the wait because 1) there were four other people in the entire theater aside from J and myself 2) I can write here and it won't be the millionth post you've read about the topic today. Patience is a virtue.
So. About that movie. Well, first the book. I'll admit that I've read two out of the trilogy. Mockingjay didn't really grab me quite the same as the first two, but I'm going to make an effort to finish it some point this year. Maybe next weekend when I'm at the beach.
AHOY! SPOILERS AHEAD!
Thoughts: The movie was everything I expected. Packed full of emotion? Check. Pseudo-terrible graphics? Check. Violence galore? Check. Awkward kissing scenes? Yep, you betcha! I think J and I actually giggled during the first-kiss-in-a-cave scene. I thought the casting was well done even if I was completely disappointed that Woody Harrelson was cast as anything in the film. Towards the end I was a little more convinced that he was Haymitch, but I'll wait until the 2nd and 3rd to see if he really delivers before committing to his praises. I'll admit I teared up a couple of times, namely Rue's passing, which was just so incredibly sad (well, the whole fight to the death situation is just sad, but you get what I'm saying). The careers and their aura seemed to be adequately projected to the audience; although, they were way more WE ARE BFF than I had anticipated while running through the woods searching for Katniss. It happens I guess. I think, for me, it was important to see how the director and producer really brought the whole novel to life (duh). For the most part, it was exactly what I had imagined while reading. I didn't feel like it had been altered so much that the value of the storyline and dialogue had been lost. I was in awe when the film ended. The scene where the gamemaker (Wes Bentley) is locked in a room with a bowl full of berries (umm..was he killed off in the book as well?!) sent chills up my spine. All and all, I'm glad J and I decided to make a date of it and see the movie on the big screen.
Side note: can we all talk about Jennifer Lawrence's beautiful wavy hair? My hair must look like that ALL OF THE DAYS. I think I may have ruined a small section of J's movie going experience when I leaned over during a serious scene and pointed out the wave and little braid action going on. Yeah, that happened.
So.. it's been a while and you may or may not even remember watching it, but think hard! What did you think?
I've not seen the film, although I did like the book. I wasn't inspired to pick up the other two in the trilogy though - so I've still only read the first one.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the film is a bit too happy, considering the games?
Sam,
DeleteI wouldn't say the film is happy. I'd say that the cast has a sense of hope. I would say that although it's terrifying for most of the participants, it's something they've grown up watching and anticipating, which would produce a very different reaction than people living like us. I think they played down the young love situation as well.
Watched it the day after it came out. Thought it really made the most out of the material in the book. There are so many ways it could've turned wrong and try to cash on the emotional side, but they chose to build the strong girl aspect of Katniss and thought it was a very smart and courageous decision. Great movie.
ReplyDeleteBen,
DeleteI completely agree that Katniss was the perfect protagonist. She didn't lose her sense of courage in the adaptation which was so refreshing. I agree that it was a pretty good movie! I agree and can only hope that the next films are as good if not better.
I was happy that this movie was a pretty successful representation of the book. And I think it improved it because we didn't have to listen to Katniss be super teen-angsty the whole time.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are SO RIGHT about Lawrence's hair. I want my hair to do that
Alley,
DeleteYes! I believe it was a great representation (maybe one of the best and most true I've seen) of the book. And I TOTALLY agree.. let's just hope they keep that up in the 2nd and 3rd because it's outta hand in those two. YES! Her hair is amazing. I want it.
My daughter's both loved the movie -- I haven't read the book yet, so I didn't go to see it with them. Both said they thought it was pretty true to the story, but my older daughter didn't like the casting of Peeta (I don't know why). Glad it worked for you!
ReplyDelete