Eeeeeeeeeeeee! Just saw it this afternoon. Here are my thoughts...
Spoiler:
So, I freaking LOVED this movie! It met and exceeded my expectations. Of course I was disappointed in all the things they had to condense or leave out, but I completely understand why. It was two hours as it was and they reduced it as much as they possibly could. I really don't think they could have done better.
One of my favorite things was the total absence of music in a lot of scenes, like the reaping scene. I thought that was *so* powerful and really made you feel like you were there. The little girl who plays Prim was AMAZING! She had me bawling right from the start.
Another thing I loved was the way they made you feel how overwhelmed Katniss was feeling using camera and audio tricks. For example, when Katniss and Peeta are dragged off after the reaping, and the camera motion becomes kind of choppy, things blur out, and Effie is right there talking to them but her dialog is muted and kind of distorted. That was too amazing!
I loved all of the casting, even Woody Harrelson as Haymitch. I cannot stand Woody Harrelson anymore (though I liked him once upon a time) so I was really worried, but I actually think he made the perfect Haymitch.
About the only complaint I have is that I didn't think there was enough development of Katniss' relationship with either Rue or Peeta. I wished Rue could have had a little more screen time, but I honestly think they did the best they could without sacrificing other important things. I felt like the situation between Katniss and Peeta didn't translate very well with so little time to develop it, but people I talked to who didn't read the book didn't seem to have any trouble with it, so I guess it was fine.
Bottom line, though, I LOVED IT!!! I can't wait for the next two!!!
Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 16336 Location: Searching for Middle Earth
Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:06 pm Post subject:
I absolutely loved the movie. I do think it was a little rushed - I don't think we were given enough time to fall in love with Rue or Cinna. However, I think Catching Fire will remedy the Cinna thing, and I know with Rue they were worried about making her death scene TOO painful.
Josh Hutcherson absolutely made me fall in love with Peeta. I never really connected with either of the boys when I read the books, but Josh brought Peeta to life in a way I didn't get out of the book. He was absolutely the PERFECT choice for Peeta.
Jennifer Lawrence was brilliant. I adore her. Katniss is one of my very favorite literary characters and I don't think we could have asked for a better portrayal in the movie.
I was also kind of impressed with Alexander Ludwig and Isabelle Fuhrman, who played Cato and Clove! I never really expected to feel bad for Cato AT ALL, but the little speech they gave him right before he died was genius; it really sent the message home that no matter how they act, these ARE all just kids and they want to make it home.
I highly recommend reading the books, Brooke. Definitely do so! _________________ art by me&tammy
I think they were smart enough to realize that you have A LOT of kids going to the movie; which they did. I think that's why most of the deaths were quick and rarely reflected on by the characters; expect Rue.
I went to a school where the 5th grade class was having it read to their teacher. Considering some of those kids are 10 years old. So I think that's why some of the death was toned down.
I felt like some things were dragged and somethings were rushed. I think they skipped out on some much needed character devolopment. And instead of showing us the riot (Which doesn't even happen in The Hunger Games) they could have shown us character developmental.
Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 16336 Location: Searching for Middle Earth
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject:
Oooh, man. I feel like 10 is a little young to be reading the Hunger Games! That's some heavy stuff! But hey, what do I know.
I feel like they didn't NEED all those scenes they added of the Gamemakers and President Snow. Some of the time they spent on Seneca Crane and Snow in the garden could have gone towards giving us more development of Rue or Cinna. Even though I liked those scenes, since they weren't in the book I feel like they didn't need to be as big a priority. _________________ art by me&tammy
Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 55699 Location: the nest
Posted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 3:37 pm Post subject:
My Mum read the Hunger Games and thought it was a little harsh lol but she loved it, and she loved Rue, and she adore Peeta, too, Eryn!!! I felt like I was waving the Gale flag all on my own. mum kept saying he looked 'too old' and she thought the Capitol outfits were too over the top and ik was like "THAT"S THE POINT!!!!" _________________
Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 10438 Location: On the run! (With Sandor)
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:09 am Post subject:
HobbitRockGod wrote:
I feel like they didn't NEED all those scenes they added of the Gamemakers and President Snow. Some of the time they spent on Seneca Crane and Snow in the garden could have gone towards giving us more development of Rue or Cinna. Even though I liked those scenes, since they weren't in the book I feel like they didn't need to be as big a priority.
Personally, I think it's good that they added those scenes. It explains a lot... who Snow is, how much power he has, how he instantly realizes that Katniss could be very dangerous for the Capitol, how he can easily wipe out people who don't play by his rules (Seneca). That's just my two cents though _________________
Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 16336 Location: Searching for Middle Earth
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:03 pm Post subject:
Oh, don't get me wrong, I loved the added scenes between Seneca and Snow for exactly the reasons you said! I just think they could've been a little more careful about not letting those take away from important character development that was in the book.
I loved Seneca Crane in the movie. I'm not even sure WHY, I just really liked his expanded role. XD
Spoiler:
And I must say, I'm excited to see Katniss hang the dummy and paint his name on it in Catching Fire.
Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 35782 Location: Sawyerville, USA
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:33 pm Post subject:
Brooke wrote:
I know there's a Gale/Katniss/Peeta thing...but at this point I prefer Gale/Katniss.
littleton_pace wrote:
I felt like I was waving the Gale flag all on my own. mum kept saying he looked 'too old' and she thought the Capitol outfits were too over the top and ik was like "THAT"S THE POINT!!!!"
ZOMG, Gale fans!
We're sorta few and far between, lol!
When I read book 1, I misremembered the synopsis I'd read about it first and thought that Gale was the one she went into the Games with, so through the whole book I kept thinking, "Um, yeah, thanks, Peeta, you're lovely and all of that but where's GALE??? 'Cause he's supposed to be here any second now!" That's what I get for both spoiling myself before I read the book AND for having a lousy memory on top of that, lol!
I still haven't seen the movie yet, though I'd LOVE to. I'm hoping to bond a bit more with Peeta (I'm re-reading book 1 again now) but as great as Josh Hutcherson really seems to be, he's going to have to fight a bit to win my fangirl heart against Liam Hemsworth... aka Chris Hemsworth's younger brother. You know how much I loves my Thor, after all!
Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 16336 Location: Searching for Middle Earth
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 7:26 pm Post subject:
I honestly don't understand saying the Gale/Katniss/Peeta thing is a triangle....because I mean I GUESS you can look at it that way but I feel like it's less of a triangle and more that Katniss has a very special relationship with both of the boys that can't really be overlooked and ultimately one of them is better for her - but that's not the point of the series. I personally don't like getting caught up in the romantic aspect of the series very much because that's not who Katniss is. She makes her choice over and over throughout the series and the person she loves above everyone else is always, ALWAYS Prim. Peeta and Gale will always come second to her, because the only person in the world she's sure she loves is Prim. Katniss is just a girl trying to keep her little sister safe.
Unrelated, but exciting nonetheless - I ordered the Hunger Games soundtrack last weekend and I got it in the mail today! Yay! _________________ art by me&tammy
Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 35782 Location: Sawyerville, USA
Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:06 pm Post subject:
Oh, I agree, Katniss is definitely not sitting around mooning over a fellow and that's actually one of the things I really love about her character and the book in general. She's got a laser focus on protecting and taking care of Prim and their mom. Everything else is secondary to her and that's a much more interesting than if this was all about Katniss Making A Choice Between Peeta And Gale.
That said, I love shipping so I enjoy those aspects in the book but even more so I love seeing them brought out in vids and fics. But I like that in the first book (I haven't read the other 2 so I can't speak to them in other than what I've heard ), Katniss herself is the main driving force, not Who Will Katniss Choose As A Love Interest. I really like that a lot!
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Definitely do so!
I feel like 10 is a little young to be reading the Hunger Games! That's some heavy stuff! But hey, what do I know. 
