I am the Mockingjay.
Apr. 8th, 2012 04:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rogueslayer452I'm planning on seeing The Hunger Games again very soon, since it's that kind of movie that deserves a second viewing in the theaters. For now though, I kinda wanna weigh in my thoughts of the book vs the movie, and my personal opinion on a particular issue that keeps popping up in certain circles.
In terms of the film versus the book, I kinda preferred the film a bit better. The book itself explains a bit more of what is going on through Katniss' narration, but I think the story itself is better translated on the screen rather than in book form, if that makes sense. Rather than going for the first-person descriptions we're seeing the entire world and other perspectives of other characters, which is what I expected but it definitely added more to what was happening that we didn't get in the books. My only nitpick is how they sort of glossed over the horrifying aspects of the Arena and how controlling of a government the Capitol is, something I hope the next film will touch on more.
While I was reading the books I thought they were okay, a decent read with an intriguing story and plot, but the first-person narrative tended to put me off in certain bits. Which is why I was excited to see how the film would do to adapt it onto the big screen, and I was very impressed by what they did and how they did it.
But there is one aspect of the books that I really didn't like.
I would have preferred the books without the romance tied to them, at least in the way it was written, particularly in the last book. I mentioned this before, but after seeing so much within the fandom I just needed to elaborate more on it. I wished that Suzanne Collins had kept her original concept, since that seemed more realistic to what was happening in that world than what was done. Sure, as a YA series the romantic "triangle" probably was more appealing to younger readers, but I just don't like the assumption that if a girl has two guy friends that they can't simply just be friends without adding all this sexual tension between them. There were more important issues to be worrying about, and would have preferred if they had teamed up together fighting side-by-side, without any of that tension or jealousy, and just being friends and comrades in the revolution. Never mind how I kind of always wanted Katniss to not pick anyone and just be by herself, with friends and allies by her side but having no love interest in her life whatsoever. I don't know, I just wish all of that could have been, if not done differently then executed better than how it was done, tbqh.
In terms of the film versus the book, I kinda preferred the film a bit better. The book itself explains a bit more of what is going on through Katniss' narration, but I think the story itself is better translated on the screen rather than in book form, if that makes sense. Rather than going for the first-person descriptions we're seeing the entire world and other perspectives of other characters, which is what I expected but it definitely added more to what was happening that we didn't get in the books. My only nitpick is how they sort of glossed over the horrifying aspects of the Arena and how controlling of a government the Capitol is, something I hope the next film will touch on more.
While I was reading the books I thought they were okay, a decent read with an intriguing story and plot, but the first-person narrative tended to put me off in certain bits. Which is why I was excited to see how the film would do to adapt it onto the big screen, and I was very impressed by what they did and how they did it.
But there is one aspect of the books that I really didn't like.
I would have preferred the books without the romance tied to them, at least in the way it was written, particularly in the last book. I mentioned this before, but after seeing so much within the fandom I just needed to elaborate more on it. I wished that Suzanne Collins had kept her original concept, since that seemed more realistic to what was happening in that world than what was done. Sure, as a YA series the romantic "triangle" probably was more appealing to younger readers, but I just don't like the assumption that if a girl has two guy friends that they can't simply just be friends without adding all this sexual tension between them. There were more important issues to be worrying about, and would have preferred if they had teamed up together fighting side-by-side, without any of that tension or jealousy, and just being friends and comrades in the revolution. Never mind how I kind of always wanted Katniss to not pick anyone and just be by herself, with friends and allies by her side but having no love interest in her life whatsoever. I don't know, I just wish all of that could have been, if not done differently then executed better than how it was done, tbqh.
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Date: 2012-04-12 04:22 am (UTC)saving my movie money for Men in Black III!.I find I like the story much more then I like the book, which may be due to stylistic reasons. I'm happy you say the movie focuses on other characters. I think that is what the novel was lacking in the most. I wished we were able to have more of the other tributes fleshed out, and see the world through their eyes, so we can truly grasp how horrible their world is. They did that a little bit with Rue, but it would have been so gripping to have more of it. ...but then I suppose that might be to much for a YA book? I honestly have no grasp on age levels, I started reading horror and gory murders when I was twelve.
The whole love triangle thing is honestly one of the major reasons I have no interest in reading the other books (which I'll get to eventually, I know, but I'm in no rush. It also could be I find the two male leads to be very boring, but that might just be me). I hate this need for everyone, everywhere to need to be in love with someone.
apologies if none of the above makes sense i've barely slept the last few days.
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Date: 2012-04-13 03:01 am (UTC)The movie is still very much focusing on Katniss and what her character goes through, but they did take time to expand more on certain other characters. Not everyone mind you, but I liked the added scenes and moments that we didn't get in the book. Like, there's a surprising moment from District 11 that is by far one of the most powerful scenes of the entire movie, imho, because it really foreshadows what is to come.
but then I suppose that might be to much for a YA book? I honestly have no grasp on age levels, I started reading horror and gory murders when I was twelve.
lol, same here. I think the age level thing is kind of iffy and depends, because some of the books we were required to read for school had more violent and grotesque content in them. Some of them weren't necessarily classified as YA but adult classics, but we read them in middle school and high school. Some of them were meant to be read by children, but had very questionable things in them. It ranges quite a bit what what should be classified as YA and what shouldn't. There are quite complicated and well-written YA series and books, while others are rather mediocre and good in concept, not good in the delivery. That is how I felt about this trilogy. It's not bad, but it's not exactly great either. It's more of the in-between, at least for me.
The whole love triangle thing is honestly one of the major reasons I have no interest in reading the other books (which I'll get to eventually, I know, but I'm in no rush. It also could be I find the two male leads to be very boring, but that might just be me). I hate this need for everyone, everywhere to need to be in love with someone.
I hate how it's become the only thing the fandom cares about. I like shipping, but everyone now is going for the "TEAM" whoever, usually between the two guys, which is a trend started by Twilight -- and that constant comparison makes me want to puke because they are not the same thing, not even in terms of a "triangle" because that barely happens, it's more of two guys pursuing Katniss and Katniss being confused and not knowing where to go with that because there are more urgent matters at hand -- and it's just ugh.
I mean, there are other characters and their relationships that I enjoyed, but as far with Katniss, I would have liked there to be a platonic relationship with both Peeta and Gale without any need to be in a romantic situation at all. Perhaps I'm just weird like that.