Finally!
Here is my preliminary review from The Hunger Games.
^^my hair for the midnight showing^^
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It’s 3:05am; I have no laptop, so I’m writing this down.
Wow. The Hunger Games movie was great. I’m happily surprised at how beautiful and impressionable and moving it was. I loved how it was shot, the filming, was the most flawless aspect. The entire beginning through the sad scene with Rue was breathtaking.
As expected, I loved the integration of Stanley Tucci’s character, Caesar Flickman. His role was key, not only to explaining the unsaid details (present in the books) about the Games, but also for pulling the viewer into the hype of the games. I totally felt like a denizen of of the Capitol when he came on. It reminded me of the Olympics. At any rate, I think Tucci killed it!
Speaking of the citizens, weren’t they interesting? I loved how it had a Romanesque vibe. The parade was Gladiator-like, and the citizens were so into it.
A friend of mine was picky about the acting and writing, but I wasn’t too critical. I think some parts were slightly forced, but they had to be in order to portray key ideas from the novel. Also, whenever someone critiques writing, I always think “Well, what would you have said?” We don’t always have the right words in real life. We do a lot of corny things and say a lot of awkward things! I sat about 10 awkward things in any given day, plus if one lets little things like that ruin a movie then one will never enjoy anything :).
Anyway, Jennifer Lawrence was fantastic. I was really amazed at the end when she had her interview and had to play “the girl in love” rather than “the girl on fire.” At that point I just thought, “Wow, she’s so great!” Out loud… in the theater. (See how awkward!) Acting as she acts! So brilliant!
Lastly, I want to end with a disappointment. This goes against my blog, but I think it is important. I’m upset that people were laughing during the film. I mean, I smiled a lot, and there were some pretty cute moments, but to laugh out loud? These were scenes that were supposed to lighten the mood a little, but it also should contrast with the Games. I smiled, but it hurt too because of the circumstances. Haymitch is funny because he lived through the Games and deals with the Capitol’s bull all the time. Peeta smiles and waves at the camera because he knows who’s really in charge of their lives. Rue is cute and fun, but she’s a 12 year old in an arena, fighting for her life.
People don’t get it, just like I feared. It is disheartening. I know I’m generalizing, but it still upsets me.
My friend didn’t like Cinna. I really liked him. I could go into my reasons for like the movie portrayal and my love of Cinna in general, but I won’t. I could honestly go on and on discussing the movie and the books.
I think it was a really good adaptation, though. I wonder how it was for people who hadn’t read the books and didn’t realize the genius of the filming and interpretation.
I give this movie a 9 on a slightly more practical scale, but in my head it is really a 10.
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I saw the movie again this past weekend with my Mom and sister. I begged my Dad to go, but, alas, he would not. I know he will love it even though he tries so hard to stay away from pop culture. hehe
It is the first movie I have seen twice in theater! Wowow!
Here is my book with the had a misprinted jacket. 🙂
