The Hunger Games

So Jim and I went to see The Hunger Games today.  First I'll say - it was really, really good.  I was quite impressed with how the filmmakers kept with the book.  They did a phenomenal job.  I can't even tell you how much I look forward to seeing Catching Fire.  I don't know when it will be released (have they even started filming?) but - YOWZA - they will be setting even more records for that flick.

Now - here are my thoughts:  I have to say that it is slightly hard for me not to be a bit critical of the movie but only because I've literally read the book 5 times (the first time; again before I taught it to formulate the chapter questions and then three times a day when I'm reading for my students).  I know this book inside and out so as I sat through the movie, I kept thinking, "Oh, well that was different", and "Oh, they didn't include that".  However nothing that was different or that they didn't include changed the overall feel and message of the book.  I will say that the one MAJOR difference between the book and movie is something positive.  You see, the book is told in Katniss's voice, through her eyes.  And so, you don't get a feel, in the book, for how the Capitol (namely, President Snow) is feeling about all the little rebellious things that Katniss does throughout the games. In the movie, however, you see this.  And you see how pissed President Snow is.  And it sets up, perfectly, the coming events for future movies.

Things I didn't like about the movie:  I didn't like that Peeta and Cato looked so much alike.  It was too confusing in some parts of the filming. I didn't feel like the movie served Katniss as well in regard to her rebellious and hard-to-know streak.  You know, that slightly damaged, rough girl who doesn't take shit.  Someone you know could absolutely win the games if it had only to do with stealthiness and not also playing it up for the audience. In that same thought - I wish they would have had a bit more of the struggle between Haymitch and Katniss.  In the book there was a real push-pull between the characters because they are SO much alike, and with that comes a real connection between the two.  In the movie, however, they really got along (although in doing that, they still managed to have that connection).

I could go on and on but I won't.  I will say that as movies go (as adaptions from books) this one was a real winner.  There was nothing sacrificed for Hollywood and there seemed (to me) to be no unnecessary additions or subtractions.  I can't wait to see Catching Fire and now - I need to go reread that one (after I finish my current book).

K - I'm out...gotta get dinner on the table.  Later.