The Hunger Games: Movie Review

I know, I know, this is long overdue but please understand that I've been living a hectic life as a student and my mind has been occupied by this dead white man named J.D. Salinger for days now. But I finally have managed to see The Hunger Games, the much-anticipated adaptation of the widely popular novel series of Suzanne Collins, directed by Gary Ross.

The casting director was Debra Zane and we must give her the credit for doing her job all right. Let’s begin the analysis with the supporting characters. Woody Harrelson gave justice to the role of Haymitch Abernathy although he didn't look drunk in most of his appearance in the movie unlike in the book, but that was something I understand because his participation in Katniss’ survival was more essential in the story. Lenny Kravitz was my only complaint about the characters because he was not what I imagined as Cinna, for he’s too much of a guy to be Cinna. It’s hard to imagine that a very manly guy could be a stylist—forget about his being a stylist; he didn't even look like a Capitol citizen. His gold eye liner didn’t make quite an impression at all. Elizabeth Banks was ideal for the role of Effie Trinket. From looks to manners, she was Effie Trinket. Especially in the way she talks, which was very odd and comic, which was very Effie. Donald Sutherland was good as President Snow, with a silent fatality that made the viewers fidget. Stanley Tucci did a great job as Caesar Flickerman, with his smiles and grimaces and easy banters that made the show light and fun, and made us forget that this was about a game of life and death. Wes Bently’s portrayal of Seneca Crane was a bit of a stretch because Seneca wasn't really mentioned in the book—I’m talking about the first book alone—but his rather large appearance in the film was a nice one because it made the viewers see how the game makers work and especially, how deathly President Snow is. Willow Shields and Paula Malcomson were very suited as sister and mother of Katniss. I liked how they look much alike, with their blonde hair and round blue eyes, they made Katniss looked like an adopted child as the book described. Amandla Stenberg was also great as Rue as well as Dayo Okeniyi as Thresh and Alexander Ludwig as Cato.

Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson played the characters of Gale and Peeta. I’m aware that there’s a lot of you who didn't prefer Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, but we have to give it to him because he played Peeta’s character so damn well, with the apparent fear on his face when his name was picked in the reaping, the innocent smile he made for the Capitol citizens, the funny yet heartfelt interview he had with Caesar Flickerman, and the love and care he showed towards Katniss, he was, without a ghost of a doubt, Peeta Mellark. (I fell half in love with him at the end of the film if you want to know the truth.) That was the reason even though Hemsworth was fantastic as Gale, I liked Hutcherson, and I loved Peeta—so much. But let’s not forget that this is Jennifer Lawrence’s movie. I honestly didn't like her as Katniss the first time I laid my eyes on her, with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and alluring body, it was hard to picture a very hot chick—she “originally” looked so much of a lady, I tell you—as famished and savage. But when I saw her all made over as Katniss, I truly was in shock. I was thinking, “Is that…Jennifer Lawrence?? Oh my, that’s not Jennifer Lawrence, that’s KATNISS EVERDEEN!!!” She was exactly the girl that I imagined when I was still reading the series, with the sad and tough look on her face, the way she moves with dexterity, the way she fights with obvious experience, and the way she talks with a suppressed angst in her voice that makes you step back. Her portrayal of Katniss was nothing short of perfection. Jennifer Lawrence was Katniss Everdeen. She brought it on with a bang.

Enough said about the characters, let’s now take a good look to the development of the plot. The cliché about the book being better rings true in this case. The movie was good but the book was highly exceptional. Some say you should see the movie first before you read the book so you won’t be disappointed. But I say you should read the books first before you see the movie so you’ll have compassion to the progression of the story in its entirety, for the movie didn't turn out as a living, breathing brainchild of its own. I actually prepared myself that some parts of the book won’t be included in the film and the relationship development among the characters will be somewhat rushed because we must consider the fact that reading a whole novel takes more than two and a half hours. Thus, those weren't the things that made my eyelids drooped. It was more about the inaction of the game. Come on, it’s The Hunger Games, the tributes were supposed to be killing each other and fighting for their dear lives but they seemed to be in no real danger. I was expecting to see lots of suspense and gore but I didn't meet that expectation. To tell you the truth, the scenes that I pictured in my head when I was still reading the book were more terrifying than the scenes in the film. And the cave scene between Katniss and Peeta--that was so poignant in the novel--was seemed too rushed. But on the bright side, I must commend Gary Ross for capturing the most important details of the plot.

The set of the movie was awesome in any way. The arena was the same as I imagined it, and you can really see the poverty and despair of District 12 in contrast to the richness and extravagance of the Capitol. The costumes and makeup were also amazing, especially the bizarre fashion of the Capitol.

So for all the craze that The Hunger Games has created. I leave you with this: It is The Hunger Games damn it! Pull that one-hundred-sixty bucks out and watch the film!—although I still think that you should read the books first before you see the movie. If it happens that you don’t used to read novels, then reading The Hunger Games Trilogy would be a very good start. Don’t you worry; the books are so superb you could devour them in less than a day. I kid you not.