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- Review count2
- Helpfulness votes0
- First reviewJuly 23, 2011
- Last reviewMarch 24, 2012
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
Aniaimer's Reviews
Overall rating
5
/
5
Fans will love it & Newbies love it even more
PostedMarch 24, 2012
Aniaimer
from Little Rock, AR
I saw this film with three other people. One read the book once and only had vague memories. One (me) read the book several times. The other two never read the book.
The Good:
I loved how they handled exposition. The film actually does a much better job of explaining how people in the capitol and the career tributes view the games than the books did. I think this is because of the severe limitations inherent in writing in first person. I can't believe the film deepened my perspective of events in the books and am really, really impressed.
I agreed with almost all of the changes made, especially in the last few arena scenes and absolutely LOVED how they managed to draw my sympathy for Cato while still maintaining his status as a threat.
The Bad:
I didn't like how they handled Katniss & Peeta's time in the cave. I feel that this time is by far the most crucial character development sequence in the first book and the omission of some of the events in the cave were a mistake. There were so many places that could have been cut or trimmed in favor of presenting more of that sequence.
Also, there were changes that kind of baffled me because they didn't shorten the narrative or serve any perceivable purpose. **book spoiler**
***I'm referring to the fact they didn't have Peeta & Katniss stand out in training by being the only ones dressed alike and the only ones who trained together.***
I also didn't like Josh Hutcherson's portrayal of Peeta at the reaping. His perpetually open mouth came across as acting which is my biggest pet peeve. The rest of his portrayal made up for it I think but still, it was a bit of a scary first impression.
The Really Bad:
***BEGINNING OF BOOK/FILM SPOILERS***
I hate, hate, HATE how they portrayed the bread scene. I know what they were trying to do. They were trying to trick newbie audiences into thinking that Katniss hated Peeta for either not helping her (initial view of the event) or for just throwing the bread at her like she was another of the pigs. I hated this change. HATED IT.
It took away the deliberation. In the book it is explicit that Peeta intentionally burned the bread and took a pretty severe punishment in order to help Katniss. The film not only completely butchers this but epically fails to convey the importance that single event had on Katniss' life.
***END OF SPOILERS***
Bottom Line: If you're a fan you'll probably come across a few things that irritate you BUT you will still love the movie. I think people new to the franchise will probably have a better time watching it. Like I said at the beginning the exposition is handled extremely well. You won't be at all at a disadvantage.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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Overall rating
3
/
5
A 40's Film
PostedJuly 23, 2011
Aniaimer
I enjoyed the movie even though it wasn't what I wanted it to be. The plot was clear and well executed. The 3D action sequences worked and came across really well. It was well paced. There were a few laughs thrown in here and there.
I just wanted more than that. I wanted to care more.
The problem was the characters. There weren't actual characters in the film so much as a bunch of plot devices.
I walked in liking Capt. America but had trouble connecting to anyone on the screen. I didn't really like any of the good guys and I didn't really dislike any of the bad guys.
The filmmakers didn't explain Red Skull, for example. He's evil and wants to take over the world. Why? "Just...because, okay. Look at him! He's all red and scary."
The single female character really belonged in the '40s. She was the classic unattainable yet attained, alternating between blindly supportive and inexplicably miffed 'dame'. I'm also a little annoyed that though one character asks point blank why's a British woman in charge of a group of US soldiers, no one actually explains that.
The hero MUST have a love interest. That's the only reason that character existed and the filmmakers didn't put any effort into making her existence make sense. The same goes for every other character in the film.
Is the film fun? Yes. Is it pretty? Yes. Does the 3D pop? Yes.
It's just I got more emotionally invested in the five minute trailer to The Amazing Spiderman than I did in the 2 hour and five minute Capt. America film.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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