"May the odds be ever in your favor."

[rogueslayer452]

Got to see The Hunger Games, finally. Here are my impressions the first go around:


Aside from certain places where I felt they rushed a bit, I was overall impressed with the way the film was made. For being a two-and-a-half hour movie the pacing made it seem like it was only forty-five minutes, and I liked that the trailers/previews/clips that came out didn't spoil anything involving the actual Games, just the beginning parts with the Reaping and the Tributes getting prepped at the Capitol. Everything that was on the screen felt like it was taken directly from the books, which I greatly appreciated. I especially took notice to how the film was shot, there seemed to be a lot of hand-held/shaky camera movements, particularly in the Arena where the kids are fighting and killing each other, as opposed to the calm stillness and order of the Capitol. It's things like that which I notice and appreciate for creative reasons.

Jennifer Lawrence's performance as Katniss was amazing. She really conveyed all the right emotions as the character, of her being stoic and stubborn to breaking down after what happened with Rue. She did a stellar job. And oh man, that scene with Rue. ;___;

Plus, I liked the added moment with District 11. It wasn't in the book, but it was marvelously done to show the emotional turmoil and outrage any District could have when a beloved one is taken in such a brutal manner in these Games. Many are suspecting that man was Rue's father, which I am definitely speculating too. It was such a strong reaction of his, and I like how it initiated everyone else to attack and vandalize everything Capitol related. Just a perfect addition, to be honest. Very emotional.

But yes, Rue was perfect and adorable.

Cinna was perfect. ♥ FOREVER SHIPPING CINNA/KATNISS I REGRET NOTHING.

Haymitch was hilarious (everyone in the theater loved him, obvs)

Still don't like Peeta. I'm not sorry. *shrugs*

NOBODY TOLD ME AMANDA GRAYSTONE FROM CAPRICA WAS PLAYING KATNISS' MOTHER. LIKE I WAS LIKE HOLY SHIT WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE AMANDA? DON'T YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE ANOTHER DAUGHTER STUCK IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD RN? LOL DEFINITELY CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD AND WAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE, TBH. :O

I cried twice: at the Reaping and Rue's death ;____; It really got to me, okay?

Aside from my flailing I do want to nitpick on one particular thing, though:

For something as barbaric and violent as the Games are, I am disappointed that the movie didn't allow the characters to get bloodied and dirty. They are in the forest after all, running through muck, chasing and killing one another and getting slashed and cut and bruised. I mean we see Katniss getting cut and scrapped and such, but aside from that the others, esp the Careers, who were the most violent of all, didn't really seem to be all that disturbed from their appearance as I had hoped. I keep thinking of this popular fanmade reenactment and wished the film was a little more grittier just as that was.

But apart from that, and the obvious rushed cliffhanger, I totally enjoyed and was impressed by the movie. For something that was written in first-person the movie expanded the world not strictly seen via Katniss' eyes and experience while still focusing on her story. So yes, I will definitely be seeing it again very soon.

Comments

[philstar22.livejournal.com]

I think I ship Katniss with pretty much everyone: Cinna, Peeta, Gale, even possibly Haymitch in a one-she's-grown-up kind of way.

This movie was awesome. I'm definitely going to see it a second time.

[aubade-saudade.livejournal.com]

random thoughts:

*JLaw was gorgeous and I thought she rly knew how to act restrained while showing her restraint. Like, some people act stoic like they're emotionless robots, but she looked held in and like she was holding everything in-- which was rly interesting.

* The tweets regarding Rue were fucked up, but Rue was so wonderful I don't have time for all the hate. sis was fierce.

* I liked how I felt for every character I was supposed to feel for even if they didn't spend much screentime

* I like how in the end it wasn't all WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS but a real Pyrrhic victory

*Haymitch's foot ninja moves were awesome

* I like Peeta because he brings the girlishness, to Katniss's boyishness. Not that I ship them together, because Team Katniss and Katniss/Bow&arrow but I like their bromance sismance a whole lot.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Like, some people act stoic like they're emotionless robots, but she looked held in and like she was holding everything in-- which was rly interesting.

Oh, most definitely, and I loved seeing the way she portrayed that aspect so well. You could actually see moments where all that emotion is threatening to spill out of her but she continues to hold it in. It was fascinating to watch and it proves just how much of an amazing actress Jennifer truly is.

The tweets regarding Rue were fucked up, but Rue was so wonderful I don't have time for all the hate. sis was fierce.

Ugh, I hated those messages so much. Anyone who could be that hateful and racist are no fans of the books, and need to check their privilege at the door. -__- But the little girl is the perfect Rue, and no one else could ever compare. She was so cute! ♥

I like Peeta because he brings the girlishness, to Katniss's boyishness. Not that I ship them together, because Team Katniss and Katniss/Bow&arrow but I like their bromance sismance a whole lot.

It's something I wished actually happened in the books. That they were friends but played the romance angle to trick the Capitol and such, because they would have worked out so much better than that. But no, they had to go for the ~dramatics~ of the love thing which just doesn't work for me. But whatever. Katniss/Survival all the way (and after the movie I am totes all over Katniss/Cinna as well, because hawt dayum)

[aubade-saudade.livejournal.com]

I'm usually not super cryey, but she made me cry from the minute I saw her because I adored Rue* on sight <3_<3




It's funny how often FRIENDSHIP is subversive in mainstream. idk. maybe it's Fandom that's changed my expectations, but I always get so o.O when the het couple doesn't end up realizing they have no real sexual chemistry and they should just be the best friends ever and set each other up in queer dates. though Cinna/Katniss was certainly interesting. the way he spoke to her was so respectful and sincerely loving...plus he is BEUTIFULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

but I always get so o.O when the het couple doesn't end up realizing they have no real sexual chemistry and they should just be the best friends ever and set each other up in queer dates.

lol, exactly.

In fact, I read somewhere that the author herself mentioned that she originally never intended there to be a triangle, and Katniss would be with herself in the end. But her editor/published pressured her to change it because such a romantic angle would sell better. Because as we all know, a girl cannot just be friends with two boys and all, amirite? -__- I wished she had stuck to her guns and kept with the original drafts because it would have made for a better story and statement, tbqh. I just never cared for the romances because they felt too forced (and they were, both Peeta and Gale were kinda pushy with their feelings towards Katniss and expected her to feel the same, and she was conflicted and confused and often not knowing what to do.)

[http://users.livejournal.com/radon_/]

NOBODY TOLD ME AMANDA GRAYSTONE FROM CAPRICA WAS PLAYING KATNISS' MOTHER. LIKE I WAS LIKE HOLY SHIT WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE AMANDA?
I MAY HAVE YELLED "AMANDA GRAYSTONE!!!" IN THE CINEMA.... (then again, my cinema was really really expressive so like I don't think anyone minded. My row, and the row above me SCREAMED when the first mutt appeared lol)

For something as barbaric and violent as the Games are, I am disappointed that the movie didn't allow the characters to get bloodied and dirty.
This. YES. I was annoyed that it was about a) kids b) fighting to the death c) with genetic perversions (muttations, anyone?) and it was all so clean. It felt like such a popcorn action flick rather than a gritty movie ~exploring morality etc I was expecting. Which kinda let me down some.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I mean, I didn't expect them to have shown all blood and guts during the killings, but at least make it look like they were actually running for their lives and surviving in the wilderness. Cato was definitely bloody in the end sure, but the rest of them weren't throughout and it was a major disappointment that they didn't just push further to make it seem like yes, these are children running through the wilderness fighting for their own lives, and it's not pretty and it shouldn't be without the grittiness of the situation.

They did a good job otherwise, but I guess I expected them to get their hands dirty in that aspect (also it would have added a nice contrast, prepping for the Games in being dolled up but then just getting dirty/mucky/bloody in the Arena, showing just how fucked up these Games are)

[allodole.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the books but it was an entertaining flick. Aside from a couple of scenes, it kinda bothered me how ~clean~ they were. I know it was like for teens but imo they still could have been way more bloodied and such.

The part where they arrive to the arena and start beating each other to death was my favourite scene because it was absolutely horrifying.

JLaw was flawless as ever. I also liked Rue and Cinna, everyone else was a bit meh.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Yeah, like I said above that aspect definitely disappointed me the most. I wasn't expecting them to go full-out blood and guts, but at least make it seem like they were fighting for their lives in the wilderness, you know? I don't like the notion that just because it was a YA series (which btw, focused on really hardcore things and people dying and all of that) that they couldn't get their hands dirty by showing exactly that.

But overall, despite that, it didn't lessen the enjoyment or the emotional points of the film. It just would have been more effective and realistic had they'd done it, tbqh.