***There may be spoilers in this post, so please read with caution :)***
My bro went to see The Hunger Games at one of the midnight showings opening night (yes, there were three!) with some friends.
And I had gotten a group together to go see it the following evening, at 7:00pm.
(Yeah, Noah got to see it twice...in ONE day... :P)
So...our group consisted of:
Noah, me, Caleb, Daniel, Elisa, Forrest, Breanna...and then a friend from Salem (Abby) and her friend who came with her.
BUT...there's a catch. :P We didn't all get to sit together (which kinda stunk). But seriously, the theater was SO jammed pack!! I have NEVER been to a movie that it was so full. It was crazy! Something that really, really annoyed me, though, was that before the movie began, it showed previews to the new Twilight that's coming out...and people were hooting and hollering and cheering for it!!! I felt like turning around and yelling 'You're in the wrong theater, people!! Only THG fans are allowed in here!' ::takes a deep breath:: Okay, I'm good now. Just writing that made me feel a little better ;) haha
Okay, enough about theater seats...you're probably all silently wishing that I would hurry and get to the movie review. Okay, okay! Hold onto your seats...
Ladies and gentlemen...let the 74th Hunger Games begin!
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I was a bit curious as to how they would begin the movie. Since the book is written in first-person, I wondered if maybe they would have had Jennifer Lawerence (Katniss) narrarating. But they didn't.
I was a bit curious as to how they would begin the movie. Since the book is written in first-person, I wondered if maybe they would have had Jennifer Lawerence (Katniss) narrarating. But they didn't.
Instead, they began it with a short synopsis of what The Hunger Games is. How it began, why it is an annual event, etc.
And then jumped right into District 12, where you find Katniss comforting Prim from a nightmare...
Jennifer Lawrence as...
Katniss Everdeen
Jennifer is a great actress. I had not seen her in any of her previous films, but I think she did a good job as Katniss.
I don't really like Katniss (from the books) anyway, and the movie didn't really make me like her that much more. I was talking to my bro about it and I was telling him how I didn't like that she had so little expression. He pointed out that she isn't really supposed to. In the books, she's very closed-off from people. Cannot talk well, can't make friends easily (except for Gale), etc.
But of course, Noah is a little biased since he think she's 'the best' :P
I think the movie could've done better in helping you know that about Katniss, though. Since she wasn't narrarating and you were just viewing it as an audience, you didn't really see what she was like, what she was feeling, why she was reacting the way she was, etc. Does that make sense?
{I love the three-finger salute. Seriously.}
There were a few scenes that I wish they would've done a better job on.
One of them being this scene ^ - Katniss's interview before the games begin.
In the book, she's nervous, yes. But when she's finally on stage and sees that people like her for who she IS (as Cinna had suggested), she opened up more easily...was about to relax a bit, etc.
In the movie, she's a brick. Barely opening her mouth to talk. Looking depressed and almost tired. Uninterested, bored.
Her dress was beautiful, but I was expecting so much more!
In the book, her whole dress is supposed to be engulfed in flames. In the movie, just the skirt of the dress is fire.
The same with hers and Peeta's capes! When each of the districts are being introduced for the first time, their WHOLE capes were supposed to be flames. In the movie, it's just the top part, around their shoulders.
Kind of disappointing.
---
Josh Hutcherson as...
Peeta Mellark
I had not seen Josh in anything prior to THG either. Honestly, I was disappointed that they had picked him as the actor to play Peeta. The Peeta I had envisioned as I read the books was something along the William Moseley (although I know he's too old) or Lucas Till (who was actually one of the actors they were thinking of casting) or Alexander Ludwig (who they ended up casting as Cato).
I'm sorry, but Josh was too short. And...I don't know...he just didn't have that manly-enough looking face that I was looking for for Peeta.
BUT...he did do a good job. I will give him that.
I was disappointed that he didn't really DO that much in the movie, though. I mean, he was still the strong, gentlemanly, loving character that he is in the books. But...he wasn't in as many scenes as he could've been. (A friend of mine and I agree on this...not sure if other people will or not...)
He was still that good, hardcore character fighting alongside Katniss, though. And I'm so glad they kept his character the way he is in the books. Josh did a good job!
---
Liam Hemsworth as...
Gale
Honestly, I don't like Gale in the books. But I really, really liked him in the movie!! I don't know what it was about him that made me like him more. A friend of mine had a good point, though...'Gale is a jerk. But he was so darn attractive in the movie, it almost swayed me, haha! :D' ::clears throat:: Those are pretty much my thoughts too. :/
Gah! This scene ^ was so heart-wrenching!! :/ I loved the big-brother that Gale portrayed, though.
Sometime I liked better in the movie, than in the book, was how Katniss wasn't focusing so much on missing Gale. In the book, she really drove me nuts with how much she would think 'oh Gale wouldn't like this' or when Peeta and she would kiss, she would 'hope Gale would understand'. Really annoyed me!
But the movie was better in that she didn't do that.
Liam did a great job as Gale! Even though he wasn't on-scene all that much, the times that he were, I liked him.
---
Elizabeth Banks as...
Effie Trinket
In the book, when Effie first comes into the picture, I thought she was bad. I mean, she was from the Capitol! Could a person from the Capitol actually be a good guy?
But I came to love her in the books :) She's so cool! So fun! So bright and cheery :)
Elizabeth Banks did marvelously!! After having seen her in Seabiscuit, Spiderman, and Next Three Days, I was shocked to not be able to recognize her at first. All that makeup and hair kinda threw me off :P haha But I loved her just as much in the movie as I had in the books.
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Woody Harrelson as...
Haymitch Abernathy
I pictured Haymitch as a more of a Russell Crowe type guy, but..
Woody did a great job! :) I love Haymitch in the books. And I still loved him in the movies!
He was just a gruff and annoying and rough-around-the-edges as ever:)
Who wants some of that turquoise drink there? Looks interesting!
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Lenny Kravitz as...
Cinna
When I found out that Lenny was playing Cinna, I was sooo disappointed. He's a rapper, for Pete's sake!
Cinna is supposed to be a young...fashion designer.
BUT...Lenny impressed me. :) I thought he did a good job, but I wish someone else had played him. He had the coolest gold eyeshadow!! Which I'm glad they kept in sync with the books.
The relationship that he has with Katniss in the books was a little different than what they portrayed in the movie. In the book, he's a friend. A big brother. Someone who cares for her.
In the movie, it's almost like they have a bit of a romantic spark between them. ::shrugs:: Maybe not, but I have had a few people agree with me on this.
For example, before Katniss gets into the capsule that takes her into the arena, Cinna helps her put a jacket on and then they turn to face each other and they touch foreheads. Touch foreheads. That's for couple-cutesy-boy-and-girls. Not big brother, little sister. What do you think?
Lenny did a pretty good job. It's hard for me to give him a negative point, though, because...the character was much the same as in the book and Cinna is one of my all-time favorite characters from THG. Know what I mean?
---
Stanley Tucci as...
Caeser Flickerman
Okay, I was blown away by this actor!! You know who that actor is, right? He plays the Professor in Captain America!! SO crazy!!! He doesn't look anything the same!!
He's a fantastic actor, but...I don't know if that's really what I pictured Caeser as...
---
Wes Bentley as...
Seneca Crane
I think Wes was one of the best actors cast for a character! He played the role perfectly. You kind of like him, but you kind of hate him at the same time.
His beard was so legit too!
President Snow
From Mr. Bennett in Pride and Prejudice (2005) to this evil dictator...wow!
Honestly, Snow wasn't really in the movie that much. He only had a couple scenes. As far as I could tell, though, I think he played his character well. I'm looking forward to seeing him in Mockingjay - for sure!
---
I am thinking of having a Q&A post about The Hunger Games. Any questions you may have about it, anything specific you'd like to hear my opinion(s) on, etc., etc. Just comment (or email me: miss.raquel316@gmail.com) and let me know.
I know this is a huge topic...and everyone has different opinions about it. Just remember to grace your words with kindness and I will do the same. If you don't, I won't answer you:)
Some of my negative points:
...the movie did have a few bad words in it. I was kind of disappointed with that because, honestly, there was only like one 'd' word in the book (by Haymitch;)...and in the movie, Katniss says it twice, I think Haymitch does too...I don't remember who else. Also, they call the LORD's Name in vain two or three times. Really disappointed with that. I can handle most language, but when they start using God's Name loosely, it just really ticks me off:/
...the filming kind of gave me a headache. It moved around WAY too much around for my taste :/
...they left Madge out of the movie completely. If you remember the books, Madge is the one who gives Katniss the Mockingjay pin. Instead, in the movie, Katniss buys it at the Hob, gives it to Prim (as her Reaping gift) but then Prim gives it to her before she leaves for the Capitol. I don't think Madge HAD to be in the movie, but I liked how Katniss thought of her as a friend...and how Madge was the one who gave her pin. And later, how cool it ties in with the Madge's aunt in Catching Fire.
Scale from 1 to 10, I rate this movie a 8.9.
---
Next up, The Hunger Games, Part 3 - Catching Fire review.
I also have a birthday post to do:)
Thank you to all my supporters and fans!! You guys make my day <3
::hugs::
PS: Click HERE to read my friend, DJ's, review on THG.
And then jumped right into District 12, where you find Katniss comforting Prim from a nightmare...
Jennifer Lawrence as...
Jennifer is a great actress. I had not seen her in any of her previous films, but I think she did a good job as Katniss.
I don't really like Katniss (from the books) anyway, and the movie didn't really make me like her that much more. I was talking to my bro about it and I was telling him how I didn't like that she had so little expression. He pointed out that she isn't really supposed to. In the books, she's very closed-off from people. Cannot talk well, can't make friends easily (except for Gale), etc.
But of course, Noah is a little biased since he think she's 'the best' :P
I think the movie could've done better in helping you know that about Katniss, though. Since she wasn't narrarating and you were just viewing it as an audience, you didn't really see what she was like, what she was feeling, why she was reacting the way she was, etc. Does that make sense?
{I love the three-finger salute. Seriously.}
There were a few scenes that I wish they would've done a better job on.
One of them being this scene ^ - Katniss's interview before the games begin.
In the book, she's nervous, yes. But when she's finally on stage and sees that people like her for who she IS (as Cinna had suggested), she opened up more easily...was about to relax a bit, etc.
In the movie, she's a brick. Barely opening her mouth to talk. Looking depressed and almost tired. Uninterested, bored.
Her dress was beautiful, but I was expecting so much more!
In the book, her whole dress is supposed to be engulfed in flames. In the movie, just the skirt of the dress is fire.
The same with hers and Peeta's capes! When each of the districts are being introduced for the first time, their WHOLE capes were supposed to be flames. In the movie, it's just the top part, around their shoulders.
Kind of disappointing.
All in all, I think Jennifer Lawrence did a good job of portraying Katniss Everdeen. Very mature, strong character. The hate she has for the Capitol really showed - and I liked that!
Jennifer also seemed to be very natural in her acting. No forceful scenes where she didn't really feel/look like her character. I think she really took the time to immerse herself in who Katniss really was.
---
Josh Hutcherson as...
Peeta Mellark
I had not seen Josh in anything prior to THG either. Honestly, I was disappointed that they had picked him as the actor to play Peeta. The Peeta I had envisioned as I read the books was something along the William Moseley (although I know he's too old) or Lucas Till (who was actually one of the actors they were thinking of casting) or Alexander Ludwig (who they ended up casting as Cato).
I'm sorry, but Josh was too short. And...I don't know...he just didn't have that manly-enough looking face that I was looking for for Peeta.
BUT...he did do a good job. I will give him that.
I was disappointed that he didn't really DO that much in the movie, though. I mean, he was still the strong, gentlemanly, loving character that he is in the books. But...he wasn't in as many scenes as he could've been. (A friend of mine and I agree on this...not sure if other people will or not...)
He was still that good, hardcore character fighting alongside Katniss, though. And I'm so glad they kept his character the way he is in the books. Josh did a good job!
---
Liam Hemsworth as...
Honestly, I don't like Gale in the books. But I really, really liked him in the movie!! I don't know what it was about him that made me like him more. A friend of mine had a good point, though...'Gale is a jerk. But he was so darn attractive in the movie, it almost swayed me, haha! :D' ::clears throat:: Those are pretty much my thoughts too. :/
Gah! This scene ^ was so heart-wrenching!! :/ I loved the big-brother that Gale portrayed, though.
Sometime I liked better in the movie, than in the book, was how Katniss wasn't focusing so much on missing Gale. In the book, she really drove me nuts with how much she would think 'oh Gale wouldn't like this' or when Peeta and she would kiss, she would 'hope Gale would understand'. Really annoyed me!
But the movie was better in that she didn't do that.
Liam did a great job as Gale! Even though he wasn't on-scene all that much, the times that he were, I liked him.
---
Elizabeth Banks as...
In the book, when Effie first comes into the picture, I thought she was bad. I mean, she was from the Capitol! Could a person from the Capitol actually be a good guy?
But I came to love her in the books :) She's so cool! So fun! So bright and cheery :)
Elizabeth Banks did marvelously!! After having seen her in Seabiscuit, Spiderman, and Next Three Days, I was shocked to not be able to recognize her at first. All that makeup and hair kinda threw me off :P haha But I loved her just as much in the movie as I had in the books.
---
Woody Harrelson as...
I pictured Haymitch as a more of a Russell Crowe type guy, but..
Woody did a great job! :) I love Haymitch in the books. And I still loved him in the movies!
He was just a gruff and annoying and rough-around-the-edges as ever:)
---
Lenny Kravitz as...
Cinna
When I found out that Lenny was playing Cinna, I was sooo disappointed. He's a rapper, for Pete's sake!
Cinna is supposed to be a young...fashion designer.
BUT...Lenny impressed me. :) I thought he did a good job, but I wish someone else had played him. He had the coolest gold eyeshadow!! Which I'm glad they kept in sync with the books.
The relationship that he has with Katniss in the books was a little different than what they portrayed in the movie. In the book, he's a friend. A big brother. Someone who cares for her.
In the movie, it's almost like they have a bit of a romantic spark between them. ::shrugs:: Maybe not, but I have had a few people agree with me on this.
For example, before Katniss gets into the capsule that takes her into the arena, Cinna helps her put a jacket on and then they turn to face each other and they touch foreheads. Touch foreheads. That's for couple-cutesy-boy-and-girls. Not big brother, little sister. What do you think?
Lenny did a pretty good job. It's hard for me to give him a negative point, though, because...the character was much the same as in the book and Cinna is one of my all-time favorite characters from THG. Know what I mean?
---
Stanley Tucci as...
Caeser Flickerman
Okay, I was blown away by this actor!! You know who that actor is, right? He plays the Professor in Captain America!! SO crazy!!! He doesn't look anything the same!!
He's a fantastic actor, but...I don't know if that's really what I pictured Caeser as...
---
Wes Bentley as...
I think Wes was one of the best actors cast for a character! He played the role perfectly. You kind of like him, but you kind of hate him at the same time.
His beard was so legit too!
---
Donald Sutherland as...
From Mr. Bennett in Pride and Prejudice (2005) to this evil dictator...wow!
Honestly, Snow wasn't really in the movie that much. He only had a couple scenes. As far as I could tell, though, I think he played his character well. I'm looking forward to seeing him in Mockingjay - for sure!
---
I am thinking of having a Q&A post about The Hunger Games. Any questions you may have about it, anything specific you'd like to hear my opinion(s) on, etc., etc. Just comment (or email me: miss.raquel316@gmail.com) and let me know.
I know this is a huge topic...and everyone has different opinions about it. Just remember to grace your words with kindness and I will do the same. If you don't, I won't answer you:)
Some of my negative points:
...the movie did have a few bad words in it. I was kind of disappointed with that because, honestly, there was only like one 'd' word in the book (by Haymitch;)...and in the movie, Katniss says it twice, I think Haymitch does too...I don't remember who else. Also, they call the LORD's Name in vain two or three times. Really disappointed with that. I can handle most language, but when they start using God's Name loosely, it just really ticks me off:/
...the filming kind of gave me a headache. It moved around WAY too much around for my taste :/
...they left Madge out of the movie completely. If you remember the books, Madge is the one who gives Katniss the Mockingjay pin. Instead, in the movie, Katniss buys it at the Hob, gives it to Prim (as her Reaping gift) but then Prim gives it to her before she leaves for the Capitol. I don't think Madge HAD to be in the movie, but I liked how Katniss thought of her as a friend...and how Madge was the one who gave her pin. And later, how cool it ties in with the Madge's aunt in Catching Fire.
Scale from 1 to 10, I rate this movie a 8.9.
---
Next up, The Hunger Games, Part 3 - Catching Fire review.
I also have a birthday post to do:)
Thank you to all my supporters and fans!! You guys make my day <3
::hugs::
PS: Click HERE to read my friend, DJ's, review on THG.
10 of your thoughts:
I loved Jennifer Lawrence! She did such a good job! And Peeta.... gah. Adorable. That's all I'll say.
I liked Peeta better than Gale in the books, but Liams Hemsworth is one of my favorite actors, so I loved Gale in the movie.
Effie... made me laugh.
Haymitch..... made me laugh really hard.
And yah. Loved it and can't wait for Pt 3 :)
ps. happy birthday!!!
Dear Raquel,
Thanks so much for the awesome review! Although I propably wont end up watching the movie myself, its still nice to have good reviews and I enjoyed reading it. That's a great idea fo letting us ask you our questions about THG. Here is mine:
I've been thinking about maybe reading the series but have heard there are several "iffy" parts. I also heard there is lots of violence and romance. What do you think? If you had to rate the books on a scale of 1-10 what would it be?
Thanks so much! I look forward to hearing your answer along with those to the other questions!
Bethany
Awesome review. Very thorough.
When waiting for the movie, my brothers and I got it all figured out in our heads. They would begin the movie in a dark, underground tunnel, where men were working. You would see a canary in a cage, tweeting away. Some of the workers interact, and you get a glimpse of Katniss' dad. Then, the canary stops singing, someone looks up, and then BOOM. Katniss wakes up from her dream. Just like the book begins.
Oh, well. I'm sure it was still awesome ;)
GREAT review! Loved it
Seneca has the coolest beard of all-time.
Someone just commented on my review and said the guy who played Gale was ugly. I myself think he's good-looking.
I totally agree with your thoughts on Peeta!
Yeah, I'm really looking forward to see how they do the next two movies. What if they break the last one into two parts? Might happen
Well done, girl! :)
I've seen Josh Hutcherson in 'Journey to the Center of the Earth' and 'Bridge to Terabithia' (he's also in 'Journey 2' of course, but I haven't seen that yet). I really liked 'Journey', and 'Bridge to Terabithia' was pretty good too. I really liked him in 'Journey' though.
This post had a little more spoiler than the last one, but that's alright. It told me a lot more, and the pictures helped too. After reading your other post, I'm disappointed about the kissing, language, and the fact that there seems to be a lot of romance going on (I'm not into romantic anything, really). But it still looks interesting. I love the picture of Gale & Prim. =)
After reading this post, it sounds like my favorite character would actually be Peeta... what you said about Katniss, about how she's always thinking about Gale, would DRIVE ME NUTS!!! And Gale sounds pretty annoying too actually, but not as much as Katniss. Although other than all the romantic nonsense (sorry), she does sound like she's kinda like me.
Again, thanks for posting these! I'll definately read part 3 when you post it. =)
Great review. I thought Peeta was perfect though... almost exactly how I imagined him. I've seen him in one movie before - The Bridge to Terebithia (really sad movie). Gale I didn't like. At all. Haymitch was just as I imagined him. Effie... hmm well I never really liked her, but Elizabeth Banks did a good job. Cinna wasn't at all how I imagined him.
-Betsy
http://reviewsbybetsy.blogspot.com
If you say you thought they didn't have enough Peeta I am perfectly fine with agreeing with that :) I thought that Josh looked great :) Stanley Tucci was the professor from Captain America? I never would have guessed.... I am dying to see this movie. Unfortunate about the language :( Thanks for the review Miss Raquel! Happy slightly late birthday!!!!!!!!!! Sierra
Keep Growing Beautiful♥ (Because You Are!)
Finally "the" post from Raquel is here. ;-) Too bad, it is WAY too late for me to read it just now. =/ LOL!
Great review! Have to say though-- I thought JOsh Hutcherson portrayed Peeta so perfectly! I have to agree with Suzanne Collins-- he was Peeta Mellark.
I thought the movie did a great job with keeping the heart of the books, even though some stuff had to go. =)
And yeahhh.... Gale.... not a fan, but Liam is SO good looking I almost turned... until I saw Peeta... ;)
Hey, just a comment about Lenny Kravitz who plays Cinna. He is not actually a rapper but a very talented singer songwriter with a rock edge. He has been in multiple films including an amazing turn as a nurse in the movie Precious.
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