Well, you can all exhale. I've seen The Hunger Games and I'm ready to tell you all what I thought about it.
- Jennifer Lawrence is THE SHIT. I didn't find Katniss particularly likeable in the books but in Jennifer Lawrence's hands, she made a lot more sense to me.
- Also, Lenny Kravitz is a delight.
- I don't know the words for the "up-the-nostrils "constantly shuddering camera" style that the film was shot in. Sometimes, I really enjoyed that (particularly during some of the violence at the beginning of the Games). But other times, I was like JESUS CHRIST, STOP SHAKING THE CAMERA AND JUST SHOW ME WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING.
- In the movie, I didn't feel like you really got the sense of just how oppressed the people in the Districts were (or what goes on in the other Districts). I was expecting to see/hear a little more about that (as a lead up to the following two books). And I get why the whole Avox thing didn't really make it into the movie, as there wasn't a lot of time. But I think that a little more talk of the everyday menace of the Capitol would have been interesting.
- CONVERSELY, in the book, I didn't really get the true impact of the Capitol's obsession with the Games whereas in the movie, it really hit home that these fancy-wigged jag-offs were totally disconnected from the reality of the situation. That scene where Katniss and Peeta arrive on the train and the crowd goes wild was nuts. "Wooo! We're so excited to see you guys kill each other! What will I WEAR??" Awesome.
- Doesn't Rue's District send Katniss a gift in-game after she "buries" Rue? I missed that moment not being in the movie. But Rue was adorable.
- All the crazy stuff that takes place in the Games Room with Seneca and the game operators was super interesting and also, made the whole affair seem that much crueller and fucked up. Huzzah.
- I was glad they left out the whole "muttation" thing and just went with random evil dogs. The muttations really freaked me out in the book.
- I didn't really feel like Haymitch was as important or memorable in the movie the way he was in the book. But I kind of blame that on Woody Harrelson.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and look forward buying it and watching it over and over again while waiting for the next two films to come out. Fingers crossed for an extended cut! Wooo!
In the meantime, thanks to The Hunger Games, Katr and I have now found the perfect way to see blockbuster films in the theatre without the hassle of "other people" or "children". All it takes is a 20 minute drive to Coquitlam at noon on a Wednesday and an extra $5 for your ticket to the 19+ VIP theatres. HAHAHAHAHAAA!!
Aw, we felt like jerks until we got in there and saw the huge screen and extra comfy seats and also, seat service. It was like seeing The Hunger Games in Business Class. Maybe you can join us next time! Just don't sit too close.
