movies 2012: Hunger Games

[supercheesegirl]

F and I went to see the new Hunger Games movie yesterday. We thought it was pretty much awesome. We did wonder, though, how much of it would make sense if you hadn't read the books. For example, I was thinking that when Rue died, Katniss's laying her out with the flowers lost a little of its gravity because in the book the tributes are specifically supposed to leave the dead, and Katniss surrounding her with flowers becomes not just grief but rebellion, and I don't know that that comes through in the movie. It's still a lovely scene, though. Katniss's motivations might have been hard to understand if you hadn't read the book, too--F and I always felt like we knew what she was thinking, but she was very conflicted about Peeta and selling their relationship in the book, and we didn't think that came through in the movie. There were a few other things like that, too. But overall, pretty kickass. Also, now that I've seen the movie, I know that obviously no one but Stanley Tucci could ever have played that part. So. Perfect.

Comments

[indigoruadh.livejournal.com]

Stanley Tucci made that movie for me.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

I want him to just wear his hair like that all the time. Also, perfect blend of media schmalz when he looks at the camera/audience and actual caring when he looks at the Tributes. He made a lot out of a role that could've been pretty wooden.

[birdmaddgirl.livejournal.com]

i found myself a little sad that suzanne collins stripped some of the complexity and confusion out of katniss' character. why the change at the end?! it undermines so much of the tension of the rest of the story. i also wanted more of haymitch's abrasiveness in the film, it felt like he was just too much on her side. LOVED lenny kravitz, which surprised me. had never thought of him as an actor. overall i thought it was great & the actors were all lovely. most of the changes i understand, because the film was never going to capture everything in the book - and some i even appreciated, like having more "behind the scenes" understanding at an earlier point in the story. also, any girl who does all her own archery automatically wins my heart.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

She did all her own archery? My esteem and admiration just skyrocketed. There were some tricky shots.

Which change at the end? Katniss's and Peeta's relationship (or lack thereof)?

I never knew Lenny Kravitz could or wanted to act either, but he totally impressed me. I thought he captured all the warmth, calm, comfort, confidence, and flair of Cinna really well.

[birdmaddgirl.livejournal.com]

yeah, the total lack of any depth or uncertainty to their relationship. i'm baffled and i don't really understand how that can play out well for the rest of the films. but hopefully collins has a masterplan.

[pocketwitch.livejournal.com]

On the subject of whether it would make sense to someone who hasn't read the books - Matthew hasn't read them and he really loved the movie. He asked me stuff about details that didn't make it in, but he didn't have any trouble following any of it.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

Awesome! So glad he liked it!