The Hunger Games
Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-fi
Main Players: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz
General Gist: In the post-apocalyptic world, a battle is held where a boy and girl, between the age of 12 and 18, are chosen from each of the 12 districts to compete in a televised battle where only one person will survive.
Deb's Take:
So the long awaited Hunger Games finally got here! I was so super excited, and a little nervous. Anyone who has been following us for a while knows I am often disappointed in a movie that was a book I read first. I will never change my opinion that a book is always better than a movie. Books allow you to get inside the head of characters and hear what they are thinking, you don't have to rely on the actions and spoken word to relay a message.
General Gist: In the post-apocalyptic world, a battle is held where a boy and girl, between the age of 12 and 18, are chosen from each of the 12 districts to compete in a televised battle where only one person will survive.
Deb's Take:
So the long awaited Hunger Games finally got here! I was so super excited, and a little nervous. Anyone who has been following us for a while knows I am often disappointed in a movie that was a book I read first. I will never change my opinion that a book is always better than a movie. Books allow you to get inside the head of characters and hear what they are thinking, you don't have to rely on the actions and spoken word to relay a message.
It has been a bit since I read the books. I think this is the trick, read a book, and wait a while before you see the movie. Some of the details and emotions are then forgotten and the movie becomes more enjoyable. This is definitely what happened with this movie. I LOVED IT! I was a little concerned that Jennifer Lawrence would come across too "old" or mature in this movie for Katniss' character. It took me a little while, but she eventually seemed to fit the mold for me. I looked back on some of her previous acting, and realized I had seen her on a sitcom first. Didn't realize she was the same girl! I pictured Haymitch a little different than Woody Harrelson, but he pulled it off well. I think the interesting part of the movie, was how we saw a viewpoint of the people in charge of the games, how they were running the show, changing the venue etc. In the book this didn't happen, but really to make the movie work I don't know how else they could have portrayed that part. (again, an in your head kind of thing that had to be brought forward). I wish we would have seen more of Gale. Katniss and Gale's relationship wasn't really appreciated enough in the movie. All the other main players were very on! Great casting! I will say, the book is better (always is!) and reading it will bring so much more to light about each character, but maybe hold off on the movie right after reading the book so your memory becomes a tad fuzzy so you can enjoy it more. Also want to send a shout out to Amy Sacry for encouraging her mother, Terry Clinefelter for joining us for this movie. We had a larger group this week with my 2 older kids and husband as well.
Deb's Rate: Opening day, definitely! (maybe because I read the books though, interested to see what someone who didn't read the books would think...my son and daughter liked it and they didn't read the books...anyone else?)
Tiff's Take:
Finally, a movie worth seeing! We've seen so many bad movies this year so this came at such a good time. Of course this was much anticipated as well. When I was reading the book I thought that this would make a great movie. First of all, it's action packed. There's so much going on. Secondly, there's not a whole lot of inner dialogue that was impossible to convey in a movie. Of course, there is always going to be some detail that you just won't get in a movie but this one wasn't too bad.
So my verdict? It was so so good! The casting was great. Jennifer Lawrence had Katniss' attitude down pat. Really well done. Hutcherson and Hemsworth both looked the parts of Peeta and Gale. Although, as Deb mentioned, I would have liked to see more of Gale. And who could play a drunk washout better than Woody Harrelson?
I loved how the Capitol came to life in the movie. All the crazy colors and outfits versus the drab lives of the districts. Very much how I pictured it in my head. This was such an enjoyable movie to watch all around. (Other than the teenagers getting killed for sport thing.) I was emotionally invested right off the bat. Well done. Can't wait for the next two!
Tiff's Rate: Opening Day. But I agree with Deb. If you hadn't read the book would it be waiting in line worthy? Still going to say yes.
Preview: Have to look and see what is out there! Any suggestions?
Tiff's Take:
Finally, a movie worth seeing! We've seen so many bad movies this year so this came at such a good time. Of course this was much anticipated as well. When I was reading the book I thought that this would make a great movie. First of all, it's action packed. There's so much going on. Secondly, there's not a whole lot of inner dialogue that was impossible to convey in a movie. Of course, there is always going to be some detail that you just won't get in a movie but this one wasn't too bad.
So my verdict? It was so so good! The casting was great. Jennifer Lawrence had Katniss' attitude down pat. Really well done. Hutcherson and Hemsworth both looked the parts of Peeta and Gale. Although, as Deb mentioned, I would have liked to see more of Gale. And who could play a drunk washout better than Woody Harrelson?
I loved how the Capitol came to life in the movie. All the crazy colors and outfits versus the drab lives of the districts. Very much how I pictured it in my head. This was such an enjoyable movie to watch all around. (Other than the teenagers getting killed for sport thing.) I was emotionally invested right off the bat. Well done. Can't wait for the next two!
Tiff's Rate: Opening Day. But I agree with Deb. If you hadn't read the book would it be waiting in line worthy? Still going to say yes.
Preview: Have to look and see what is out there! Any suggestions?
Wow, I was totally disappointed in the movie. They left our soooooooo many key parts from the book. Sooooooooo many. I did think the casting was great, the acting was fantastic but other than that, blah. I was expecting so much more. I was so looking forward to the scene when they were on fire in the chariot and it was sooooo underdone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment! I will say that I'm super forgiving when it comes to movies that come from books I love. They almost never can go wrong in my eyes. :) But I will say its been a while since I read the book so I wasn't focused on the details. It's always hard for a movie to get in everything. At least we both agree that the cast and acting was great. :)
DeleteI too have a hard time with movie/books, I miss the details, and think everyone should know them. I truely think it has to do with the amount of time between me reading the book and watching the movie. My imagination is always bigger than the movies!! Thanks so much for a different view..stop by again soon, it's nice to know we aren't just two sisters talking to each other.
DeleteOh I read you all the time. I don't get out much so it is nice to hear from people that do. I have read the books within the last 2 months so maybe it was too close. But I must say, the Twilight books are twice the size and the movies shorter and I never felt like they left out too much, not like I did after seeing the Hunger Games.
DeleteEmily and I LOVED the Hunger Games! I was very impressed. I thought it was one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I had seen. It might help that, through the Harry Potter movies, I've painstakingly learned to completely separate the book from the movie in my head. Regardless, I found myself saying "Wow, I really like that addition to the movie that wasn't in the book" multiple times. I found being able to see District 11 revolting after Rue's death particularly moving.
ReplyDelete