My Hunger Games Movie Review

I’ve been trying to keep my opinions and ultimate *squeeing* off the interwebs since some people (me, included) didn’t want to be spoiled* by the cinematic experience of The Hunger Games Movie.

(*Note: Yes, in my opinion, a movie can be spoiled even if people have read the book. Books and movies are two different mediums, and I wanted to go into this movie with no prior expectations.)

But if you’ve seen the movie and are looking for a raving opinion (with spoilery!) then you’ve come to the right place. I have SO MANY WORDS when it comes to this movie. It was most definitely the highlight of my week.

One of the things that really stood out to me was the colors and costumes throughout the entire movie. In the districts, dull grays and blues were used a lot. It looks gritty, dirty, and unappealing—just as it was described in the books. The Capitol was a complete contrast with bright makeup, crazy costumes, and intricate architecture. And Katniss's costumes were BY FAR the best! They were just as I imagined them in the books. I think that the Capitol scenes were my favorite. There were just so many things to look at! I’m so jealous of everyone who got to be a Capitol extra. It looked like a blast.

It’s hard to capture the emotions and feelings people go through when reading the books. For one, it’s only in Katniss’s perspective—so we’re relying on her to make us, as readers, feel her emotions of paranoia, fear, love, confusion, etc. Obviously the books are always going to be better than the movies because books are a much, MUCH more personal experience. However, I thought the direction of the movie was brilliant. We saw scenes from the Gamemakers during the games, from President Snow’s point of view, Haymitch’s, Gayle’s, some of the District’s, and more. You HAVE to remember that The Hunger Games—during the games, especially—is basically all through Katniss’s thoughts and emotions. She has hunches of what she believes is happening back at home, but we never see it. I love how the movie captures some of those same emotions by actually SHOWING us different point of views. I thought it was done really, really well.

Also, it’s hard to get to know 24 characters on a personal level in 2.5 hours. I know a lot of people wanted to feel more character development, and I was the same way at first, but I can understand why it was done the way it was done. I also enjoyed that they stuck so closely to the book, especially with little details: Rue peeking out and spying on Katniss during training, Prim’s cat, the cave scenes . . . it ALL made my heart just melt in delight. Oh, and Haymitch! Haymitch is one of my favorite characters EVER in the books. He just adds delightful comic relief throughout, and I thought he was portrayed amazingly!

I thought some of the camera angles were a little shaky at some points, but that could have just been because I was practically sitting in the very front row (not my choice, but no complaints! I was going to see it even if I had to STAND). I did like those angles were used in the fight and running scenes during the games. Made it so much more dramatic!

And Peeta. *squeak * Can I just say how much I love Josh Hutcherson as Peeta? I remember when the rolls were cast and people were flipping their minds because they “couldn’t see these actors as these main characters.” I had no doubt in my mind, though, that they’d rock it. I mean, the movie KNEW it was going to be big. They wouldn’t just carelessly cast these main characters if they knew they couldn’t deliver. And holy smokes. DELIVER, THEY DID.

I also love love love Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss. She’s such a serious and gracious actress as Katiniss but when I was watching her interviews, she seems like someone who has SO much energy and fun on set. Like, we could totally be BFFs. I’m sure of it. Anyway, she was brilliant.

Overall, I really enjoyed this adaptation of the movie. Some people didn’t, and that’s okay. Some people “laughed all the way through it,” which I don’t really get, but that’s fine too. I’m a fan of both movie and book and thought everything was captured to perfection.

(Then again, I *AM* a fan of all things YA, so . . . you know!)

Special effects FTW!

I want to hear your take on the movie—good or bad! Please leave comments or feel free to point out anything I forgot to add!