While the film is thoroughly enjoyable, and intensely exciting, it actually feels much more like a serious drama than a summer blockbuster, dealing with themes of self sacrifice, mortality and rebellion in a sensitive and non-sensational way. This is supported by a very grounded, realistic feel, thanks to a washed-out look a judicious use of hand-held camera work and a matter of fact tone; even the more fantastical sci-fi elements – vast, hovering ships, medicines that can heal any wound and genetically modified, weaponized beast, are dealt with in a way that the audience barely give them a second thought.
The few moments of stylised spectacle Ross gives us are used perfectly, either to demonstrate how alien the ruling Capitol is to the world the protagonist, Katniss knows, or as a tool to emphasise her reaction to events taking place. It is also used in a wonderful, hyper-stylised sequence mid way through the movie, in a way that only works because it is so different from the rest of the film.
Performance-wise, perhaps unsurprisingly given the cast, the film is solid. Even the youngest actors, Willow Shields and Amandla Stenberg, who could easily have been the weak links given their relative inexperience are terrific. It’s become something of a cliché to drone on about how good Lawrence is, but here she carries the film spectacularly. What is really impressive is how effectively her performance, combined with Ross’ direction replace the book’s narrator. On several occasions, entire pages of inner monologue are achieved with a look from Lawrence, and a quick move of the camera.
The romantic subplot is dealt with in a much more light-handed manner than one might expect. In theory there is a love triangle in the film between Katniss and her two suitors, Peeta and Gale. In practice, either as a consequence of wanting to avoid comparisons with Twilight, or because it’s simply not all that interesting, that triangle is almost never apparent, and even Katniss’ relationship with Peeta is kept reasonably low key – which is actually rather fortuitous, as the period when we do focus on their tentative romance seems to slow the movie to a crawl.
The downside of limiting the focus on the relationship, and removing the first person narrative, is that Katnis’ behaviour towards Peeta seems at times seems irrational, and almost bipolar. Unfortunately even the Lawrence-Ross dream team can’t quite make this part work, which may leave those unfamiliar with the books a little confused.
The film also has a rather odd pacing issue towards the end. After the initial bloodbath, each tribute gets a ‘moment’ before their death – a few seconds of screen time, where we get to know them before they’re dispatched. Except the penultimate one. By this point, all the story that can be told in the arena is done, and the film has clocked nearly two hours, so ramping up the pace is justified, it is also not too dissimilar from the way the character goes in the book, it just seems a little odd to break the established format. Indeed, in the adaptation of literary narrative to cinematic narrative, this is probably the movie’s biggest misstep.
For the most part Suzanne Collins, who alongside Gary Ross and Billy Ray, adapted her own book for the screen, manages to keep in as much as possible, without any other element seeming insufficiently cinematic. In fact, some of the changes, in particular Seneca’s final scene and the handling of the mockingjay pin are, in part, an improvement on the original version. it’s a shame a handful of great bits from the book didn’t make the cut, but it’s understandable. Their inclusion would have slowed the movie down too much. There are also lots of little nods to the books throughout that offer fans a chance to play ‘hunt the Easter Egg’, but which shouldn’t be too distracting to those unfamiliar with the material.
The film’s only major flaws are in the costume and effects work. In what could have, and perhaps should have been the movie’s showpiece moment, the outfits seemed a little half-hearted. One in particular, that had it been done practically as a collaboration between costume and special effects could have been like nothing seen before, was left in the hands of an already overstretched VFX team who never quite finished the job. In fact, while most of the important effects – the subtle ones that sell a scene as real are fine, the large scale digital sets look like they needed more work. It’s no surprise it was still being worked on up until a couple of weeks ago. It would be nice if they could keep plugging away for another month or so.
That said, who cares? With a compelling story that actually has something to say for itself, and performances that sell everything perfectly, Lawrence and co could have been wearing black leotards in front of a grey background, and the movie still would have worked. The Hunger Games is a bold, intelligent and entertaining movie, and a brilliant adaptation of the book. If only all action films could be this good.
[Rating:4/5]
So glad to hear that’s it’s a good adaptation.
The movie hasn’t come out yet. -.-
I don’t get how you wrote a review on a movie that only comes out this Friday!
Our reviews are always written at least a few days, if not several weeks before the release of a film. We have access to press screenings that allow us to view films in advance of release. In this case I watched the film last Tuesday, and again at the UK premiere on Wednesday.
Although I haven’t seen the movie, I know that it will be phenomenal no matter how any critic puts it. All I know is that I have been obsessed with this amazing trilogy for almost four months now and it was all because of one of my teachers introduced me to the first book. I have now read through the whole trilogy almost twice (I am currently reading the end if the third book.) I have also gone farther than just the books, I have bought the tribute guide, special edition magazine from people, the guide to the hunger games, and the official movie companion. So I am set for the movie to come out. I just hope I can last the rest of the week without exploding with excitement!!!! Oh and btw there is a preview showing for celebrities and critics to see before the movie comes to theaters for us to see. Just so you know.
People who get paid to review movies have early access to see them. All part of how the industry works. The gent who wrote this wasn’t a random guy off the street.
I love the books, so no matter yow the critics put it, the movie will be great. I am going to see it the day it comes out.
It’s a shame, because the movie does look good, but I am already sick of hearing about The Hunger Games. Very overrated at the moment. The books were good but they wont top the Literary Classics list anytime soon.
Im so glad! I was hoping it would be good!!! Im goig at Midnight tomorrow!
Personally i have read all 3 books and they are phenomanal i would put the h.g. Over the potter series or twilight any day and i beleive this movie will be even better.
Many people say the movie is nothing like the book i have to admit that they will take out some parts but this book is 142 minutes long
How do you get to be able to go to “press screenings”
*dislike*
I have read all three books and they are awesome!! I was scared that they were going to mess up another good book but the movie was awesome!!
I saw the movie yesterday. Its exactly like the book. I loved it. Its amazing
I honestly believe the director got a six year old all coked up, gave him a camera and was like let’s shoot this sh*t. The camera work made me sick. The acting was horrible, I felt no connection took the characters. I make it a point to check out reviews on imdb prior to seeing a movie, movies are expensive and I don’t want to waste it on a bad one. The reviews were good despite some from hardcore book fans, but that is to be expected. I’m left wondering if the critics saw the same movie or did they get a better version?
They spelt Katniss wrong…
I didn’t think ot was good.. only rues death got to me mist like I’m the novel and the adaptions were good, but it seemed cheesy and I felt like they didn’t put their all into.it, they just wanted to throw it out into the public to make bank leaving us to salvage what the film could really offer.
it is a pretty good movie
i honestly think everyone should stop bashing it! if u dont like it… im sorry:(
Its perfect and you don’t know what your talking about. Its just like the book.
The movie and book, both are spectacular!!
That’s not true u see they worked extremely hard on this the bOoks keeps u on ur toes and the movie is really really good it’s one of the best movies iv seen yet in my whole entire life
Um i really liked the hunger games movue. True the camera was shaking but whoever dosent like the point of the hunger games dont you think u shouldnt go and spend your very hard earned money on an expensive movie you wouldnt like. Gosh ppl stop complaining.
And also of corse they didnt put very much money into it. Ppl LIONS GATE was like the one that paid for like everything. DUH DUH DUH. UGH U PPL COMPLAINING BUG ME SO MUCH.
Look all I can say is hatres will hate. That is probably the reason Gary Ross quit on catching fire. It a good movie and a great and wonderful book.
The Hunger games movie franchise was really awesome and astonishing… One of the best adaptation from a book. Watched it three times in the cinemas, from it’s premier up to it’s last showing yesterday 🙂 I have the trilogy set plus e-books of the Hunger Games. But my concern is where is Madge? Dirstrict 12’s daughter? then the AVOX? plus the other scenes 🙂 But all in all my grade for this movie is 5 out of 5 🙂 I hope they can deliver catching fire more detailed and amazing…
I remember going to see this at midnight, by far my favorite book series and movie, I can’t wait for the next one.