Of the movie, this time. Go here for the book review.
Please note:
NO PLOTS ARE SPOILED IN THE MAKING OF THIS REVIEW.
I took time out from my little project to go and see The Hunger Games last night.
It wasn’t the worst film I’ve seen.
The casting:
- Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen…yeah, why not? Can’t see what the fuss is about her, but she was okay.
- Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark. Not bad. He grew on me, just like Peeta in the book.
- Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne. All he had to do was look gorgeous. What great acting.
- Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman. Excellent; but when is he not?
- Alexander Ludwig as Cato. Good. Gave his character a little dimension.
- Amandla Stenberg as Rue. Adorable.
I enjoyed the film. I did. It stuck to the book – it helped that the author was involved in the script – but…there was something missing.
The certificate meant that the violence was muted. Fair enough. But a better director could have shown us the horror of children [tributes] fighting to the death in another way – even a cutaway to the Capitol audience’s gleeful reaction would have helped. What we were given was hide-and-seek.
The scene with Peeta, Katniss and the bread was mawkish – obligatory rain, anyone? – and failed to show Peeta as he truly is. 0/10 for that one.
Another problem: the tributes are on television the whole time – where was the Capitol audience? We never saw them. In the book, they matter; they and the sponsors affect who survives.
The best I can say of it is that it was a faithful rendition of the story, but lacked its tone, its themes, and its heart.
I wouldn’t say don’t watch it: if you haven’t read the book, you’ll probably enjoy it (may the odds be ever in your favour).
It just didn’t have the energy of the novel. Not so much The Hunger Games; more The Slightly Peckish Games.
Related articles
- Why we need ‘The Hunger Games’ 2 (arthurandtamie.com)
- https://thelaughinghousewife.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/the-hunger-games-a-review/
- Financial Lessons From The Hunger Games (wisebread.com)
The Laughing Housewife 
I think I better either read the book or see the movie so I can compare notes with you – I feel very out-of-the-loop – ha! Great post.
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That’s me, out of the loop. But some of those young men were worth a second glance!
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Mmmhmmm…drool…
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Never heard of … plus when checking it out on the … net – not any film I would watch. Thanks for bringing to my attention.
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Slightly peckish, that is very funny. I, as you know didn’t read the book, so I enjoyed it a lot. To be fair, I’m not a very good film critic because I love movies and I’m easy to please. Movies and Arby’s (a roast beef sandwich place with excellent chocolate shakes) and I am very happy. I’m glad that you did like it and you weren’t extremely disappointed because you know that happens a lot and then you feel as if you threw your money away on the price of the ticket.
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Yes, especially as we seldom go to the movies.
Despite my lukewarm reaction, I did enjoy it and will probably watch it again.
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This is interesting and a bit what I was afraid of. While I was reading the book I kept thinking “they’ll never capture all of this properly in a film”.
Still might go, though if I don’t I know Tingirl will buy me the DVD for Christmas, she’s just so thrilled that I loved a book that she recommended to me.
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I would go see it. It wasn’t bad and it stuck to the book, for the most part. Now I’ve downplayed it, you’ll probably enjoy it.
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David loved the movie, but did not read the book. He can hardly wait for the 2 sequels. I don’t read fiction nor do I watch movies.
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What never? You’re missing a lot of brain and heart food.
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How sad – you miss whole worlds of fun, excitement, adventure and love.
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Thank you so for writing this review. This reminds me of Twilight, not the story, but the public reaction to the movie — hardly Oscar-worthy; not even really CookieMonster-worthy. Anyway, thanks for telling a courageous and truthful review. Score one in the win column for you!
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Thanks. You will always get the truth from me. If you can scrape away the large dollop of hyperbole 🙂
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My daughter and I saw the movie over the weekend. I had read the book; she had not. I thought they did a pretty good job of keeping true to the book while still keeping it accessible to folks who had not read it. Update: My daughter has already finished the first book and is working on the second.
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Bet she’s finished the third one by now 🙂
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Not reading the book or seeing the movie. Without your telling me, I know the blonde kid is the bad guy and gets it somehow….Given Hollywood, I figure someone eats him. Dianne
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What a cynic you are. 🙂
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All that hype: and it turns out peckish. Oh, well. good for the waistline, I suppose.
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I am reading the first book just now & will probably not go see the movie after this review. I don’t like movies enough to shell out the kind of money they charge for tickets, to sit in uncomfortable seats, eating overpriced popcorn & drinking overpriced pop. If I happen to notice it on TV I may TIVO it.
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I didn’t realise I was so powerful 🙂
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Anyone who controls the Maltesers has a lot of power!
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Which is why I ensure it is ME 🙂
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I loved the movie, but was the only one in my family who didn’t read the book (except my youngest). You brought up some good points. Of course, what am I thinking: Wow, she sure looks good as a blonde (the main star.) lol
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Yes, she does. She dyed her hair for the part.
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Good job Tilly! I haven’t seen the movie but my kids have and l’ll catch it someday. TY. 😉
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i read the book and saw the movies, i thoroughly enjoyed it. 7.5/10
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I’m glad 🙂
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“The Slightly Peckish Games” – that’s done it for me – if I manage to pluck up the courage to see what THG is really all about, I’ll be reading the books, not seeing the movie (even though I love Mr Tucci in just about anything)
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Read the books! Read the books! Read the books!
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Well, you don’t make me want to watch the movie. I’ll definitely read the book first and figure out if I want to spend the time watch the same story I just read. Usually, I stop at the book.
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The film was okay. The books were fabulous. You decide 🙂
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Thanks for that review. I’ve read the book, but not seen the movie. The book was pretty amazing. I read it in one day. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before.
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I read all three in four days, but only because I had to wait to download them, having borrowed the first one.
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The Slightly peckish games….that’s fantastic.
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Thanks 😀
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Hi – thank you for calling at my blog. 🙂 Nice to meet you, to meet you nice.
Re. The Hunger Games film, I do rather agree with you. I thought that Katniss looked too feminine, not as feral as she is portrayed in the books, and the horror of children fighting to the death was not perhaps sufficiently explored. Having said that, I still enjoyed the film, and the trilogy are amongst my favourite books.
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Mine too! 🙂
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