I admit to being a little late to the party with this one, but better late than never as they say.
This weekend I finally saw The Hunger Games. I haven’t read any of the trilogy by Suzanne Collins, so I figured I was coming into the movie from a fairly rare viewpoint. Most of the movies I’ve seen after having read the books that spawned them have paled in comparison, since there’s always so much more you can do in a book than in 142 minutes of film.
My overall take was that the premise is certainly unique and makes a profound statement about man’s inhumanity to man, politics, government, freedom, hope, the relentless spirit of youth and so on. I admit I ‘cheated’ a bit by watching the movie with my daughter, who has read all the books, loved them, and was more than happy to answer all my plot related questions – and I had quite a few. I’m convinced that if she hadn’t been on hand to explain a lot of the missing background, I might have been a little bit lost. I think quite a bit was left on the page and not translated to film for those of us who skipped the book experience.
While I thought Katniss was a strong female role model who managed to rise above the pouting, sullen avatar of Twilight’s Bella Swan, I would still hesitate to recommend the movie to anyone looking for a good time. Obviously the movie is based on a dark time in a dark future, so I suppose I’m not really justified in wanting to enjoy it. It wasn’t hard to watch, and despite the violence, it wasn’t unpleasant, but I have to admit I’m tired of movies that leave the audience in a pit of despair. I see fewer and fewer movies that provide me with a real sense of having been entertained. [Avengers anyone? Sorry, JB]. While Hunger Games may be well crafted, well acted and interesting, it left me with nothing but a longing for something to lift my spirits. I tend to think when you can make the good guys winning still feel like a major downer, you’ve missed the point of movie making.
If you’ve seen or read The Hunger Games [or done both] I’d love to hear your opinion. Do you think the movie did the book justice? Were you confused? Depressed? Or blown away?
5 comments:
LOL -- Since I didn't like The Avengers maybe I'd like The Hunger Games. I haven't read the books or seen the movie so I can't weigh in.
But speaking of viewing, my favorite newer show SUITS has its series finale Thursday night. Can't wait for it!
I read the book, but I haven't seen the movie. I actually did enjoy the book, and I felt hopeful at the end of the first and second books in the series. Don't get me started on the end of the third. !@#$% and other expletives...
... But yeah, I enjoyed Hunger Games. Which is why I'm hesitant about seeing the movie. Movie makers always seem to find a way to ruin a good book.
Ok, I read the books and LOVED them.
Watched the movie and while I love the casting choices (Woody Harrelson-stroke of genius), I was not impressed with how much they left out of the story.
Really hard to connect with some of those deep moments when you don't understand who half the people are. It wasn't BAD but it wasn't great either.
JB, series finale - not season finale? I hope the episode is good. I've been disappointed by too many series finales.
B.E., I wonder if I read the book now, if I would enjoy it.
Marsha, for these intricate book series, I guess to really do them justice, you'd have to have a mini-series at the very least.
I read all the books before I saw this movie and I really think it translated to the screen very well. I wasn’t sure about watching the movie until a coworker at Dish said I should, but I’m glad I decided to. Instead of just going out and buying it, I decided to rent it from Blockbuster @ Home and now that I have seen it, I plan on watching it a few more times before I bring it back to the store for another movie. It was a good bit of entertainment and hopefully Catching Fire will translate just as well. Now I’m really excited for the rest of the series!
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