3.26.2012

Hunger Games Movie Thoughts

I wanna preface all this with saying: I am completely satisfied. I think it was probably the best adaptation from book to movie.

**Warning: spoilers below!! From books and movie and pics**





I read this post over at my friend Nikki's blog and I was like "hmm...." This is not in direct comment to her post, but she really made me think, so I wanted to address those thoughts too. Nikki writes:

...the first time around, I couldn't help but be fixated by all the little things that weren't there.

I was okay with Madge not being there, but I missed seeing Peeta's dad give Katniss cookies, I missed getting to know Rue, I missed Peeta saying "come to finish me off, sweetheart," I missed more time in the cave, I missed the Mutts being the dead tributes, I missed Katniss and Haymitch right after the games, and a hundred other little details that weren't there....

Again, I was pretty satisfied, but after reading her post I started thinking. And now, I'm gonna nitpick. Which is all this is because, ultimately, they did an awesome job. 

I can see how those little things were missing---the only one I noticed while watching was Madge and the mutts. It did lose something on the horrifying level without the tributes faces.

I felt like we knew Rue enough. Sure, it's not this history lesson of her life and character, but we saw the thing that drew Katniss to her: her similarity to Prim. As an older sister, I understand her instinct to protect her and really that's all I ever needed. So I think they handled that well. (And I love the flashback to District 11 in that moment. It was so so emotional that it made me cry.)

I think everyone was pretty perfect. Haymitch and Effie were just amazing. Seneca Crane, President Snow, Caesar Flickerman, Cinna (despite his smaller role): perfection. Even the setting was how I imagined it, if not better. District 12 and the Hob, so perfect.

I love all the little things that I didn't expect to be in the movie. Mainly, the way Ross foreshadowed Mockingjay with the use of roses. I guess they're in the book, somewhat, but I never noticed it before. Snow in the rose garden with Seneca Crane..Katniss having a rose in the chariot at the parade...Peeta talking about 'smelling like roses'. It was sorta awesome.

I also think that Jennifer Lawrence was an amazing Katniss. I've never seen a movie where the main character has less lines than anyone else and yet, still manages to carry the whole movie. Her eyes and the looks, her facial expressions were amazing. So amazing. She was also perfection. I'm so impressed with her and the way Ross still made the movie feel first person.

AND OMG--I have never liked Gale in the books (I was always sorta apathetic to him) but I do in the movie. I DO. I did not expect that.

Now I wanna talk about Peeta, because in all the things I've heard since Friday the opinions on Peeta have been the most torn.

I think people, even people who are Team Peeta in the books, are a little torn because the movie was missing something. First, I don't think that should be blamed on Josh--b/c he delivered. Trust me. I've seen every movie the boy has done since he was twelve, and he delivered. But I think they wrote LESS of him in the movie, and that's why there's not a lot of talk about how awesome he was. They wrote him down a bit.

He was so adorable and perfect in all these moments.
Especially when he's waving to the people. Gah!
Nikki mentioned in the quote above that she wanted him to say that line "come to finish me off, sweetheart," but I don't think we needed that. This Peeta, movie Peeta, wouldn't say that. There's just this lack of development with him in aspect to the writing of the story and while they were pretty true to him, it's the small things that totally change a character. They didn't really write him with the snark and the "sweetheart" thing just wouldn't fit him. The charisma is there, as we see in the interview scene and the train scenes, but the rest of the small Peeta things aren't as prominent. I think what they did capture is the essence of who Peeta is and why people like him: this underdog, this really genuine and sweet boy. He's totally the boy who would secretly love a girl and never tell her, and the same one would give up everything for her, who would fit and sacrifice himself. Plus, can't yall just imagine Josh saying "Real or not real?" and your heart swoon over that. I can.

And sure, the cave scenes could have been longer with Peeta and Katniss--but geesh the movie was already over two hours. There's only so much they can put in there.  

I also think Josh did really really a good freaking job with what he had. I think he and Katniss had this really WEIRD chemistry, which if you think about it is how it's supposed to be in book one. B/c it IS a weird chemistry. They're on the brink of the death and they have this history and there's no one who can say that isn't weird. I really liked their chemistry, especially in the cave and when he almost eats the berries. The first part in the cave, when he's talking about her, the audience was silent in both screenings. I don't think that can happen without chemistry. and then later when he rubs the medicine on her forehead, yeah, that's so hot that it's almost weird. I don't even care.

I don't know. I was not disappointed in the aspect of their chemistry, but it seems like I stand alone on this side. I've been defending it a lot on twitter. I think they were amazing.

After two viewings, I still feel satisfied. I do think they changed small things but it's not like HP where it's not fixable. That's the positive thing about Gary Ross directing the next one (and hopefully all of them) b/c he can already have this vision and follow through on it. 

I can't wait until Catching Fire. Josh is going to win over all the naysayers in that one if they write his role well. Just wait. Just wait. I'm really excited for the new cast of CF and MJ to be announced. As long as they nail the script and Finnick, we'll be golden again.

What did you guys think of the movie??

(Also, side note: here's my pick for Finnick: Taylor Kitsch. Someone with power please make it happen.)




2 comments:

  1. I really agree with your post Danielle. While I wasn't in love with the film (I saw it in the first row of seats because we got there late...oi my neck! and I also missed the mutts A LOT! and felt things like the Capitol's grip on the districts were missing), I loved the characters. (Okay well except maybe Gale but I was always a Peeta fan). I think that all of the characters did their jobs well and the casting was superb. While I missed Madge, I understand why they cut her. I did miss book!Peeta but as the years go on with book-to-movie adaptations, I've come to realize my book boyfriends are going to be different than my movie boyfriends. I also wish they had explored the P/K relationship (and K/other relationships too) more in the film because I didn't really believe it. I mean, I believed it as a reader and I already knew the story but I'm not sure if I believed it as a film viewer - i think that they rushed the relationships in the movie. I know it is a 2 and 1/2 hour film so they couldn't really slow it down, but I just wish they had expanded the area scenes and had less of the make-up/primping stuff in the Capitol. I also got a little sick with the shakiness of the camera but I understand the affect they were going for.

    Gah...sorry for this ramble! I guess what I mean to say is....I am also really looking forward to more Peeta <3 and Catching Fire and Mockingjay (MJ is my favorite of the books, which I seem to be a minority of - I love the realistic portrayal of post-war heroes, etc.). 2013..I want you now for Catching Fire! :-)

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  2. I see your point on a lot of things, but I really wish they could have done more with Peeta and with the K/P relationship. I believed it more towards the end (with the berries and Foxface) but I think there should have been more definition to the relationship. Still, Peeta is Peeta and I can't help but love him. And Josh, I love Josh as Peeta.

    As for the next movie, I'm dying for it. I have complete faith that Gary Ross will be able to do wonders with it, especially with Suzanne Collins there, co-writing the script.

    And my pick or Finnick: Garrett Hedlund. You said you had no clue who he was, so let me enlighten you: http://garrettforfinnick.tumblr.com/

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