Overall rating 
4.4 / 5
4.4 / 5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 663 reviews
5 Stars
374
4 Stars
206
3 Stars
56
2 Stars
18
1 Star
9
Dialogue 
3.8 / 5
3.8 / 5
Special Effects 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Art Direction 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Acting 
4.2 / 5
4.2 / 5
Story 
4.1 / 5
4.1 / 5
Camerawork 
3.5 / 5
3.5 / 5
625 out of 663(94%)reviewers recommend this movie.
Overall rating 
4.4 / 5
4.4 / 5
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 663 reviews
5 Stars
374
4 Stars
206
3 Stars
56
2 Stars
18
1 Star
9
Dialogue 
3.8 / 5
3.8 / 5
Special Effects 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Art Direction 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Acting 
4.2 / 5
4.2 / 5
Story 
4.1 / 5
4.1 / 5
Camerawork 
3.5 / 5
3.5 / 5
625 out of 663(94%)reviewers recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4.4 / 5
4.4 / 5
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Rating breakdown 663 reviews
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374
4 Stars
206
3 Stars
56
2 Stars
18
1 Star
9
Dialogue 
3.8 / 5
3.8 / 5
Special Effects 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Art Direction 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Acting 
4.2 / 5
4.2 / 5
Story 
4.1 / 5
4.1 / 5
Camerawork 
3.5 / 5
3.5 / 5
625 out of 663(94%)reviewers recommend this movie.
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Product ReviewsReview This Movie
Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Different From Book, but Still Great!
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Alabaster, AL
Going in we knew that the movie would not be exactly like the book. Several characters were left out (i. e. Madge), Haymitch was not the buffoon that he was at the reaping in the book. We all thought this was should have been included because it shows a lot about Haymitch's character. However, my son (age 18) and I both thought that Woody Harrellson was OUTSTANDING in the part - my son compared his performance to Johnny Depp as Capt. Jack Sparrow (high praise from him).
We enjoyed the movie very much any may go to see it again.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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3 / 5
3 / 5
Short and Sweet
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Birmingham, AL
I am very appreciative of the fidelity this movie showed to the book. Additions (of which there were very few) and deletions were done tastefully, though they moved the story along pretty quickly and relied on the audience's knowledge of the books. For instance, I had trouble remembering what three fingers raised in a salute means, and it was never explained. They also did not explain the reason behind the existence of tracker jackers and mockingjays, just popped them into the story like another strange part of their world. They deleted the scene where Katniss crawls in bed with Peeta before the games, which I think would have added to their complicated story. The people of the Capitol, while delightfully clown-like, seemed like low budget impersonators of real Capitol folk. I expected more diversity amongst them, and more outlandish fashions in general--the Gamemaker's beard was far more creative than the neon green and magenta hairdos and fingernails. I also wish we could have heard Katniss strategize a bit more, like when she gorges on food to "carb up" before the games, and what her true feelings are about a situation. They never mention that Katniss's mother is a healer, either, or that the market where she got the mockingjay pin is an underground market. Really, I wish it had been longer and more developed. It was filmed and cast well, but I prefer the steeper arcs of the book characters.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
The Odds Were Ever In Their Favor
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Louisville, KY
I went in with low expectations seeing as how this movie/book series is compared to the gripping Twilight Series. This movie was well produced, well staffed with recognizable award winning actors and true to the book. I felt the parts left out were not as important as the parts they used. I was delighted and amazed. The first ten minutes had me in tears. The Hunger Games movie makes Twilight look like a puppet show! I plan to see this movie multiple times in theaters! I was also pleased to see the violence and gore was a minimum compared to the books... after all, these are just kids.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5 / 5
5 / 5
Very well done
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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I'm probably one of the few people alive who never read this book, but my kids who have read it tell me it follows the book rather closely.
I thought it was excellently entertaining, well acted and worth the price of admission.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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3 / 5
3 / 5
Not horrible, but I was left "Hungry"
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Louisville, KY
Let me say first of that I absolutely LOVED the first book. Unfortunately I was pretty disappointed with the movie. Woody Harelson is really good but the rest of the cast was unmemorable. Jennifer Lawrence is so stoic and emotionally vacant that the heartfelt scenes fall flat, and long stretches of the film teeter on the edge of boredom. To keep the PG-13 rating the camera shakes wildly during all the fight scenes or cuts away so you can't tell what...'s happening half the time. The command center is cool - if only they could lose the god-aweful storm trooper meets Super Dave outfits of the capital people. I thought the training scenes were good (a little rushed), and some of the scenes of the games themselves were well done, but as a whole it was nothing I'd watch twice.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Best Movie of 2012
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from San Antonio, TX
I didn't think I'd ever get excited about another series like I did with Twilight, but The Hunger Games got me instantly hooked! I read the book before seeing the movie. I was captivated by both. The focus is on Katniss and Peeta, but I am a huge Lenny Kravitz fan and truly enjoyed his performance as Cinna. The movie followed the book well. Very tense and dramatic, with a pleasant mix of love and humor.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5 / 5
5 / 5
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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This by far one of the best! Amazing can't wait for the next two movies!!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
2 / 5
2 / 5
Series Should Never Have Been Made for Children
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Parsippany, NJ
I knew going into the theater that this movie had received a lot of hype, and having been at several Twilight and Harry Potter openings, I expected an endless supply of over-excited teenagers. What I didn't expect was the disturbing level of nonchalance amongst parents and children alike about the content of this series. Not only were the kill scenes anticipated, but the audience actually applauded at the deaths of Clove and Cato, effectively eliminating any dramatic effect of the unspoken subplot, the tragic brainwashing of high society, the price being the death of innocence. Ironically, I think it was the intention of the author to shock us at the brutality of these scenes as a reflection on our own society, not reduce audiences to mindless shrieking Bieber fans.
When Katniss and Peeta are hiding in the cave, someone actually shouted, "Make out!"
I think we need to revisit the plot and themes of this series as political, controversial, and adult. A PG-13 rating is an absolute joke, and was only acheived by butchering the story-tellling, i.e., the death of Rue. In the book, Katniss arrives just in time to see a boy spear her through the stomach. In the movie, Katniss is attacked by the boy with the spear, which impales Rue when Katniss ducks out of the way. It nearly makes Katniss look at fault, and definitely cowardly, as up until the last second, she was essentially shielding Rue with her body. (I guess that explains why they cut the part about Katniss receiving the basket of bread from District 11.) What's more, Katniss kills the boy as he strikes, causing her actions to be in self-defense rather than cold-blooded retaliation. In essence, this subtle change conflicts a reader's understanding of the character of Katniss.
I finally understand why my peers have criticised the series, comparing fans to "Twihards", dividing them between "Team Peeta" & "Team Gale". This series was marketed poorly from the beginning. I remember the commotion when Mortal Combat was first created, and parents were outraged that we were creating a violent, consequentless generation of pre-adolescent serial killers. I guess they weren't wrong, it just took another few decades to fester into this hideous crowd I had the pleasure of accompanying into the slaughter house of Cinema 12.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Amazing Movie
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Slaughter, LA
This is an incredible movie, great effects and plot
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Loved it!
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Los Angeles, CA
I loved the movie! The entire audience was clearly captured from the start, including myself. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen was amazing. The book was great, the move incredible. You must go see it!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
The Hunger Games
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Sahuarita, AZ
Excellent. Enjoyable for those who have read the book, but still gives enough detail for those who haven't to enjoy it as well.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Left wanting more
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Birmingham, AL
It is hard for me to imagine what the experience would have been had I not read the book in the days leading up to the movie. The book obviously has more character development because you get inside the head of the main character but I felt the on-screen versions of the characters were distant and I didn't feel any emotional connection to them.
I expected a few details to be different in order to get a 2.5 hr movie out of the first book but was really disappointed and found myself asking why I should care about these characters had I not read the book and understood in more detail than the movie provided.
Hopefully the 2nd and 3rd installments will deliver more, otherwise I will consider this a failed attempt.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
It was a big, big, big DAY!
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Champlin, MN
Excellent movie that stayed very true to the book. Well casted and acted. To parents, I strongly suggest that your child read the book before seeing the movie so they understand the premise, know what to expect and you've had a chance to discuss it with them ahead of time. Our 10 & 12 year old loved it but if they hadn't both read the book, the intensity and the violence would've been too much to handle.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5 / 5
5 / 5
Excellent!
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Philadelphia, PA
I was a little nervous about seeing this movie because the books were so violent, but it was well done. We went as a whole family to see it and we all loved it, even my husband who did not read the books. We can't wait for the next movie to come out.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5 / 5
5 / 5
A movie you have to see!
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Bedford,NH
I loved how the movie followed the book almost exactly
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
great movie
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from columbus, ohio
I loved the movie. I read the books, and would have loved to see the characters of Madge and the prep team. Madge was not written into the movie at all, and the team was not mentioned by name. They are a part of katniss' life in the capitol and even when she gets back home. But overall, the movie was wonderful!! I can't wait to see the next 3 movies made from the other 2 books!!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Fans of the book will be pleased!
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from New Orleans, LA
I think this movie will satisfy fans of the book and newcomers equally. Jennifer was the perfect Katniss! The sets and costumes were impressive. The movie did not feel like 2.5 hrs as you are engaged and on the edge of your seat nearly the whole time. Can't wait for the sequels!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Hunger Games
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Lincoln NE
I had not read the book but most of my family had. Katniss was a great example of GIRLS understanding nature and working IN nature!
I found the movie easy to follow, the characters easy to figure out and relate to. The dialog was not garbled with barf flavored beans or spells or silly things like that. I would recommend it for family's with children 8 and up just because it was a bit long. Great movie over all!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5 / 5
5 / 5
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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An intense, accurate adaptation of the original novel, The Hunger Games is a gritty, action-packed and often emotional ride to be enjoyed by fans of the book and newcomers alike.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5 / 5
5 / 5
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Virginia
Overall this movie is a very good portrayal of the book. Although there were some details and characters eliminated, it is entirely understandable and in no way changes or harms the original intention of the author. The cast was chosen carefully and it shows in that each representation is true to the story and comes across wonderfully on the screen. For anyone typically disappointed when books are translated to the big screen, this is one they actually did right!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Hunger Games
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Pittsburgh, PA
Movie was excellent. Followed the book very closely. The actors were wonderful, loved Haymitch (Woody Harrelson). It is very graphic and can be disturbing. Not for young children or those that are squeamish.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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1 / 5
1 / 5
In Dismay
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from San Francisco, CA
Everything about this movie is pretty much phenomenal. Except for the over done shaky cam, you have tremendous casting, directing, acting and cinematography. This movie should easily win best costume design. I went into the movies purposely not wanting to know a thing about the story. However, the premise is so unsettling I couldn't really enjoy the story. I was in dismay from the beginning. A society falls to it's deepest depth when it promotes the murdering of innocent children. How can I give this movie anything more than a single star?
No, I do not recommend this movie.
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4 / 5
4 / 5
Pretty Good
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Inver Grove Heights, MN
I really liked the movie. I thought that the acting was great and the effects were pretty good too. They could've done with a little less 'Blair Witch'-esque camera movement. For the most part the movie stayed fairly close to the book. Although, if you're someone who gets irritated if the movie isn't EXACTLY like the book you may be a little perturbed. There are, as with most book based films, parts that are omitted or altered to fit the big screen time constraints.
But it wasn't butchered like Twilight was. You can definitely feel the tension when they are in the arena and the emotional moments were very moving. I saw this in the VIP seating at the Mall of America (21+ only), the scene with Katniss and Rue in the arena had the entire theater quiet except for the sniffing and occasional sharp intake of breath from trying to cry quietly.
The only real negative thing I would say about it is that there wasn't much background music to it. Ultimately that lead to the somber feel of the movie so it worked. However, at first it gave a very awkward feeling. Also, the pace of the movie wasn't really consistent. It was a good, not too fast or slow, then it would slow way down. Not a terrible thing, just not consistent.
Overall it was well done and I'm excited to take my son to see it. Once he's done reading the book of course. :)
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
3 / 5
3 / 5
State of the Union
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Los Angeles
The movie does a wonderful job of capturing the cost of reality TV on our senses and perspective. It shows one path of possibility for our political future where those who have determine what those who don't, need and should have. Oh, I guess I just described the current Republican party approach to the governing the US. It was a sad statement about hope and one every person should see so they can chose their future
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
Good Movie
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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I really enjoyed the movie and the adaptation from of the book. I liked the characters and how they showed the gamers and how they controlled the game and the reaction of the people in District 12 as they watched the games. That was kind of missing in the book. The only think I didn't like was the cinematography. It seems like it was filmed by a 12 year old. To shaky and jumping around and made me nauseous and it detracted from the story.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
5 / 5
5 / 5
Hunger Games
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Birmingham, AL
This was a great movie. Me and my teenage son saw it on opening day. He has read the 1st 2 books and has started on the 3rd. After seeing the movie, I want to read the books too! We had a great time. I thought it was really GREAT!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating 
4 / 5
4 / 5
The Best Movie Ever!
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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from Clovis, CA
Even though there weren't some things that I had expected to see, the movie was totally worth the wait!
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5 / 5
5 / 5
Perfection meets The Hunger Games
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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Only one word can describe The Hunger Games. Perfection. All of the actors did an amazing job at portraying the characters, mostly Jennifer and Josh. Gary Ross did an excellent job at capturing all the mayhem the book really had. The way he shot the District 12, the tracker jacker stings for Katniss, and most of all, (spoiler) Rue's death, destroyed me inside in a GOOD way.
And the scenes that were from the book but not placed in the movie is totally understandable. The new ones made the movie more believable, to me. Because of these take outs, there is a lot of hatred toward the movie. All of the new and old Hunger Games fans were warned that parts were taken out by Suzanne Collins, the author of the epic trilogy. So, truth be told, there should be no hatred for this movie.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5 / 5
5 / 5
Overall, pretty good adaptation
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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First off, I must admit that I enjoyed the book series tremendously. From the minute I finished the first chapter I was hooked, and even though I am a notoriously slow reader, I devoured all three in a matter of days (Games of Thrones can't say that...I've been stuck on page 500 for about two weeks now.)
That said, I approached the movie cautiously. Would they capture the right look and feel? Would it veer into farce? Would they tone it down to secure a PG-13 rating?
I am happy to say I enjoyed it. The movie was true to its source, but not slavishly so, and actually added details and scenes not included in the book that enhanced the material, in my opinion, such as the brilliant addition of Seneca manipulating the elements in the arena during the games, the efforts of Haymitch to secure sponsors, and the riot that breaks out when Rue dies in her home district, something that could only be mentioned in passing in the book.
I like it when movies based on books work hard to make the subject matter their own, which this one did. Perhaps it helped that the author was part of the writing team.
The casting was excellent. Katniss was perfectly portrayed, as was Peeta and Gail. Woody Harrelson was terrific as Haymitch, although more sober than I remember him in the book. That didn't bother me that much, although as I recall, the point was that he had seen so many kids go off to their death from District 12 that he gave up trying. You didn't get as much of that in the movie. He basically goes right into Katniss battle mode.
The only two nits I had with casting were with President Snow and Cinna. Most of it's because of what I had in my head as I read the book. First off, I saw Snow as a bit more elegant than Donald Sutherland. I always pictured the guy who played Lucius Malfoy from Harry Potter playing President Snow. That's blood and roses, to me. As for Cinna, I saw him as a bit more androgynous than Lenny Kravitz.
As for the film's style, the cinema verite, very naturalistic feel real worked, for the most part. Well, except for the fights. I did find the rapid movement to be a bit off-putting at times--the hunting scene at the start of the movie almost made me nauseous, it spun around so much, and some of the fight scenes were impossible to see properly because the camera cuts went too quickly or the action was too blurry. The fight scene on the cornucopia is a perfect example: because it was so blurry, and both Peeta and Cato had blond hair, it was really hard to tell who was who. Perhaps it was deliberate, in that case? Other times, I doubt it.
What it lacked in those scenes it more than made up for in other ways. It made the plight of our characters believable, and kept the story from slipping into farce. This was also helped by the terrific performance of Jennifer Lawrence, who played her role in an understated manner that gelled well with the directorial approach. The District 12 scenes were particularly well done. I totally believed that area could exist, exactly the way it appeared. And I loved it whenever they had an establishing shot of a District along with a location title. The look was perfect.
Beyond the districts, I thought the Capital was portrayed well, although its inhabitants looked a bit like something out of the Wizard of Oz or a Lady Gaga video. I wish we had gotten to know Cinna's assistants more, including the mute girl, who never appeared.
The only set that disappointed me a little was the actual Hunger Games location. For some reason, I always saw the arena in my head as somewhat larger than life and artificial--kind of like Frontier Land at Disney gone horribly wrong. This just looked like more woods, which, given the hunting scenes at he start of the movie, gave it a sort of "we're saving on our budget" kind of feel.
Also disappointing were the mutant animals at the end. In the book the animals that attack all wear collars from the other districts, and are meant to resemble the fallen tributes--in fact, the suggestion is that they actually are the tributes, in some ways. Not so in the movie, which provided us with generic, computer enhanced evil puppies. The book was creepier, this wasn't so much. Especially given the confusing Peeta/Cato fight that follows.
Minor complaints really. For the most part, the action was sharp, the characters believable, and the script tight and well constructed. Plus the movie had a great anti-one percent message that I approve of. The kids from District 1 and 2 were like the cool kids you desperately want to see get their comeuppance. Which they do, and we even get to see the price Cato pays for that favored son status (a scene of pathos that I liked but the Corbster found annoying.)
The audience I saw it with was really into it, and reacted! That doesn't usually happen. The group dynamic was intense with this crowd, which is the sign of a good flick, I think. All in all, I would give this movie an A minus.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5 / 5
5 / 5
Loved it!!!
PostedMarch 24, 2012
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I read the book first. Sometimes when you read the book and then watch the movie you are disappointed. They did a great job. Can't wait for part II.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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