"The Hunger Games"

[klwilliams]

Last night desperance and I went to see "The Hunger Games." Two movies in two nights is a new thing for us, and not something I've done in years. Also, the movie rocked. They stayed very close to the book, and even though I knew what was going to happen I still experienced fear and sorrow and anguish along with the characters, which is a sign for me of a good movie. Some comments, after the cut:


1. Passed the Bechtel test on all fronts, even the reverse-Bechtel.

2. I loved Rue. She was adorable and smart, and I was very sorry she died. I've heard that many people were upset because she's black. I did notice how very white most of the cast was, but Rue is described as having darker skin in the book. The districts are bound to be homogeneous by virtue of being closed off from each other and the capital, so having everyone in District 12 look similar is reasonable, though not everyone in District 11 had the same similarity. I didn't see among the pledges anyone of color beyond the two from District 11, though. I'd expect a little more ethnic diversity throughout the districts, and a quick scan of the internet showed a picture of all the pledges with two or three having Asian features. No Indians (either kind), no Latinos, both common sights here in the Bay Area.

3. I really liked the haircuts, the makeup, and the clothing of the people in the capital. It was in the book, and worked well on screen. And that beard.

4. I really liked Cinna (played by Lenny Kravitz). The character was as good as he was in the book, and Kravitz did a great job making him come alive.

5. The violence wasn't in-your-face. The sound of the cannon counting down the deaths was worse.



This was a good movie, even for those who hadn't read the book. Yes, the basic premise is unrealistic and more metaphor than anything, but once you accept that the story is rich in details and character.

Comments

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

just got back from seeing it. I think they could have done a little more of the social inequity - the riots might have made more sense then. So disappointed that the blue guy's lips weren't blue though. But not a bad adaptation.

[evil-macaroni.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed the movie!

[kahnegabs.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed it too.

[thread-walker.livejournal.com]

the district 11 riot was what intrigued me the most and lured me into buying the book. I wanted to find out more about the back-story.

But as someone who read the book afterwards, I think they did a good job of being true to the story without "Lucas-a-fying" it with over-talking the back story through the characters. you had to pay attention. But I think all the essentials were there.

I look forward to borrowing the rest of the series from someone.