When I was in college a group of us camped out overnight on a very cold street corner in Philadelphia to make sure we were first in line to purchase concert tickets to see U2 at the Meadowlands. We were tired, cold and hungry, not to mention we had to go to the bathroom rather badly and the only place open was an all-night diner about 10 blocks away. It was a miserable experience, made even more miserable by the fact that the box office opened a few minutes late and by then the tickets were already sold out. All night on a Philadelphia street corner for nothing. Never again!
I vowed I would never camp out for anything again, nor would I stay up all night just to wait in line to see a concert, a person, or a movie. So… NO… we did not go to the midnight showing of The Hunger Games. Instead, we did what has become our family tradition… got up early and went to the first screening of the movie on Saturday morning. We did the same with all the Twilight movies. Trust me, a good night’s sleep and a hot cup of coffee makes for a much more pleasant movie experience.
So… what did I think of The Hunger Games?
I read the books long before they actually became popular. All three of them. I knew the story inside and out. I expected the movie to be epic. After all, we had all waited a very long time to see our favorite characters up on the big screen.
I’m not so sure it was epic.
Yes, it was a good movie. A great movie? I think you would have to ask someone who hasn’t read the books. Coming from the perspective of being a huge fan of the series, I have to admit I was disappointed in some of the aspects of the movie version. Now I am well aware that there is no way a book can adequately be adapted into a movie with the exact same characters and feeling, but I sat there wondering if other people who hadn’t read the books were “getting it”. So much was left out.
What I did like was the feel of the movie. The sets were amazing and pretty much exactly as I had pictured them. The costumes were dead on and I have to say the flaming costumes Katniss and Peta wore during the Tribute Parade were quite fabulous. I wish I had seen more of District 12 and the Capital… but that will come with movie #2. The actual scenes during the games themselves unfolded much like the book did, although little details were left out due to time constraints. Is it just me or did anyone else picture the cornucopia looking like a real Thanksgiving cornucopia?
What I didn’t like about the movie were some of the details like the way the Mockingjay pin came to Katniss in a completely different way than in the book. Katniss’ mother didn’t seem as tortured as she did in the book, and Haymich was a drunk, but not the kind of falling over, vomiting kind of drunk he was written as.
Don’t get me wrong… they did an amazing job with the movie and I am none too happy that I have to wait to November 2013 to see Catching Fire. Yes, you have to wait THAT long! But, I would suggest that if you haven’t read the books and you really liked the movie… read the books! There is so much more description and detail that will definitely make the movie more alive.
Just a hint on the violence? It wasn’t so bad. Honestly, the way people were talking I thought it would be a lot more violent and gory… not so. My 9 year old loved it and didn’t think it was scary or too violent.
I read a few articles yesterday online about the political nature of The Hunger Games. How can it NOT be political, with a dictator at it’s core, playing God with his subjects? Opressed, poor people working their hands raw to supply the Capital with luxuries they will never see. A very small percentage of people actually living in an over-the-top utopian society. People cut off from the freedom to travel, to earn a living, to be happy. I sense an uprising coming…
And by the way… remember that concert that was sold out? Somehow, some way, my brother managed to get me two tickets to see U2 and I ended up with floor seats smack center in front of the stage. Oh yes I did!
I pictured the cornucopia the same way as you even though I thought it to be an odd thing sitting out in a field.
It may be a couple of dollars more expensive and a drive on the freeway, but going to a movie at the arclight with reserved seating is the way to go when there are going to be lines to wait in. Of course I don’t have to pay for three extra little cuties anymore like you do.
I totally pictured the cornucopia like you did. I’m hoping to see Hunger Games soon. Wanted to see it yesterday but dh was not in mood. I agree with Mara, when we go to the theater, we always go to ones we can reserve seats. lol
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LOL I pictured the Cornucopia the same way. I think you and I would get along famously at the movies. I went to the Twilight marathon last year before the midnight release of the new one and will do the same this year (the only movie I will brave a midnight release for LOL). I agree about the mockingjay I was like man….that was an intrecal part of the book to me so to have it different was disappointing
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I know there was a lot missing from Twilight too, but it just seemed to flow a little better than The Hunger Games. Oh well… I’m still hooked and I’m still excited to see Catching Fire.
Agree that the movie was good (not great) and for the most part did not disappoint understanding that most details would be left out. In the end, the books are so much richer and satisfying. Overall, a B+ on the adaptation.
The books are almost always going to be better- that is just the way it is. And yes, I pictured the cornucopia the same as you too. I didn’t mind the way they did the pin- as there wasn’t time to add more characters. Yes, I would have happily sat through an even longer movie so they could add more- but I think they did it wonderfully.
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I took my 15 y.o. and now we have a standing date to see the rest of the movies in the series. I had read (and loved) the books not very long ago; she has not yet read the books. I thought I remembered the Cornucopia as being golden and with actual basket-weaving details, though metallic. We both liked it, a lot. Note: If you choose to go see it in Imax (which I thought was a great idea) get there early enough so you are not in the third row. Given the swirly handheld camera style through much of it, not the optimal place to sit.
I think the story is still excellent, regardless of books vs. movie. Loved Jennifer Lawrence in Winter’s Bones, loved her as Katniss; Prim and Rue were appropriately tiny and appealing. I found the Gamemaker bits somewhat distracting but understood why it was there; however, I was fascinated by the guy’s stylized beard design. Which then set me to wondering why none of the tributes who seemed to be old enough were sprouting any stubble, because I’m pretty sure that shaving wasn’t a priority for ’em. Political - I think it had more to say about our society and what we as a whole find interesting/acceptable, than a specific political POV.
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