The Hunger Games Film - My Thoughts and Comparisons to the Books
So, I saw The Hunger Games film last night and my thoughts and feelings are still rather all over the place! So I thought I’d try and make sense of them in this LJ post, which is all about what I thought of the film.
Firstly I really, really LOVED it! It was an AMAZING, EPIC film and one I definitely recommend to everyone, whether you’ve read the books or not!
It’s a film I will definitely see again at the cinema, and get on DVD and watch again and again! And I absolutely cannot wait until the rest of the films are here. I’m really pleased the film has done so well, because hopefully it’ll make even more people aware of this amazing trilogy and they’ll get on and make the other two books into films asap!
Not only was it really intense, incredibly well acted, entertaining and exciting, it carried very, very well the main essence of the book. It gave you a very good understanding of all the characters and the further implications of what it all means. And they did a really good job of making sure those that hadn’t read the book would still be able to follow it, would be just as gripped as everyone else and would still get very invested in the characters. I thought the small changes they made were good and some added a really interesting extra dimension to the film. It also set things up very, very well for the sequels - which they better get filming NOW!
So then, the film - obviously the rest of the post contains spoilers, for the books and film, but gosh, if you haven’t seen or read it yet, fix it now - it truly is just amazing! Just EPIC!
Ok, so I admit, I was a little worried at first. I did like the text at the beginning as a lead in, but I do think it took a little bit too long to get going. I think they could have shown a bit less of District 12 and Katniss and then Gale in the woods and maybe a bit less on the preparations at the reaping, especially all that blood testing palaver. And I have to say, the camera work at the beginning was making me a bit dizzy, it was perhaps all over the place a bit too much at this point. I did like the extra bit where we see Snow giving the history though; it added an interesting dimension to the purpose of the Hunger Games. And whilst they did focus on just how poor District 12 is (perhaps a bit too much,) I don’t think they properly got across at this point just how much of Katniss’ life is so totally dedicated to providing for and looking after her family.
But, overall it did convey well the horrific nature of the Hunger Games, everyone’s fear at the reaping and the desolation and despair of the people in District 12. Though yeah, it could have hurried this little bit up a bit, and perhaps shown a bit more of just how rotten Katniss’ life is at this point - and how it’s toughened her up so much.
I did love the reaction to Primrose’s name being called, the silence, the way her friends moved away, the way Katniss sort of followed her before screaming out she’d volunteer. All very effective and here the quick moving camerawork did work well. And poor Peeta! I loved his reaction - his face said so, so much! I loved how him and Katniss sort of watched each other and were already so awkward around each other. It set things up very nicely for them, and the actors really did have brilliant chemistry. The only thing here though, whilst I did like the flashback to the bread story, I’m not sure the overall magnitude was put across properly. But, at the very least, it shows that already Peeta and Katniss have this connection.
The final goodbyes with Katniss and her family were so, so sad! The bit with Prim and the Mockingjay pin - for protection - were so moving. And though it was short, the bit with Katniss and her mother did work well IMO, showing their strained relationship. And then the bit with her and Gale was nice too, just the right balance of emotion. I mean, you can really feel the despair and pain between the two of them, and it echoes so well all the fears Katniss has, but it never strayed over the friendship line, so thumbs up from me!
Then, loved how they first reacted to seeing the train, (and later the training centre) so very telling of the differences in wealth and expectations. And it’s almost like some sick joke - feeding them so well and giving them such luxuries when they’re about to have to fight to the death!
I loved the awkwardness between Katniss and Peeta at the start! I mean, they have never spoken to each other and it’s obvious this awkwardness is based on so much more than them both simply being stunned by becoming tributes. I’m not too sure what I think about Peeta and Katniss' first meeting with Haymitch though. I did like how drunk he was, how indifferent and uncaring, but his reaction to Peeta was a little odd… And I did miss the bit where we see Peeta actually getting angry at Haymitch… But then later, I do love how we see Haymitch start to act like a proper mentor, and the way we see his growing relationship with Katniss and their mutual understanding of each other is great. I also love how he also responds so well to Peeta - especially the line about how Peeta knows what he’s doing! LOL! Whilst it is Haymitch and Katniss who are the closest, you can already see the respect that Haymitch has for Peeta, and how much he’s starting to care for his two tributes.
I loved all the stuff in the Capitol and thought they did an amazing job of keeping you interested in all the preparations. I thought it was very clever how they introduced the details with the reality TV presenters, or Haymitch/Effie explaining it to them. It was a good way round the fact that in the book it’s all explained in Katniss’ thoughts. I liked how they portrayed the people in the Capitol - such a contrast! - and whilst he wasn’t in it much, I did really love Cinna’s character. And I loved seeing more behind the murky world of the Games - all the power play and internal Games between Seneca Crane and Snow. It really did show well the danger Katniss presented to him and sets things up nicely for later films!
I absolutely LOVED the costumes, especially Katniss' interview dress. At first I was like, what, that dress is so meh, then she started spinning and I was like WOW! And the parade! They really were properly on fire, it was awesome! And GAH! at Peeta being the one to initiate the hand holding. It was a nice change and loved Katniss’ first reaction - you’re protesting a bit too much deary! I actually really liked how we see Katniss and Peeta becoming friends, without the added push from Haymitch, it was nice and felt natural - and very adorably sweet! I’m really pleased they also kept in the bit where both Katniss and Peeta reel off the other’s skills - it’s such a wonderful pre-Game moment which shows how connected they both already are!
And I really liked the impending doom feel of the training, really letting you know just how brutal the final Games would actually be. And just how tough some of those other tributes were! And I know it’s an addition, but I did really love Katniss telling Peeta to show his strength to the Careers, it was such a nice touch - and of course fed well into the later “pact” he makes with them.
I thought Peeta and Katniss did an amazing job in the preparations - just the right amount of friendship, though you could see the beginnings of something more between them, which was lovely. I do think they needed to have given just a little more time to the bread story though, because it was so significant to their relationship. And I loved how well they portrayed the crush Peeta had on Katniss and her guilt/despair at knowing that one of them will have to die, especially after Peeta talks about what his mother said. And I loved the feeling of sadness/betrayal we see in Katniss when she hears that Peeta will be preparing for his interview on his own… In fact their whole pre-Game interactions were great, just enough there to get you involved but not enough to take over - just like in the books really. Not that I’d have minded a few more moments between them though! ;-)
And Peeta’s announcement in the interview properly got my heart racing, it was so awesome! I mean, I knew it was coming, but it was still so epic and squee worthy - and I loved the focus on Katniss’ face afterwards. Peeta was just adorable and really made you want to hug him, or better yet, have Katniss hug him! If I didn’t know what was to come, I would have been soooo addicted at this point and so invested in Katnss and Peeta. I’d be wondering just how him and Katniss would survive and how their love story, which was obviously building between them, would work out. Just like I was when I first read it in the book! Heck, I was like that anyway, even though I did know what happens! ;-) And Peeta’s exchange with Flickerman was soooo funny too! A nice bit of light relief (though we did need just a little bit more explanation on the rose shower thing).
And Katniss’ reaction after too! She was so over reacting! It was really shown so well just how enraged she was - and poor Peeta again, he looked so heartbroken! Loved that they kept in the Katniss: “it makes me look weak,” Haymitch: “It makes you look desirable,” exchange, which I always loved and found so interesting in the book!
And Katniss and Peeta’s bit on the roof was really cute too, just how I’d imagined it from the book - them growing closer and getting to know each other that bit more. And seeing a bit more into the deeper thoughts and personalities of both. I’m glad they took a bit more time on this bit - especially as all their talk about not wanting to be changed and make a difference is soooo significant in later books!
Then, gosh, we go right to the Games nearly! The pre-Games set up and countdown was interesting - and I did really like seeing the “control room” for the Games. And then Cinna just before was brilliant and gosh, Katniss was properly shaking! Such amazing acting! And what an edge of your seat countdown - showing you all the different bits and people’s reactions as you get nearer to zero. LOVED that they included Katniss considering going for the bow and Peeta convincing her not too…
And in the opening bit of the Games - gosh! Here the crazy camera work was definitely effective in constantly flickering between it all - it was just so crazy, that bloodbath and Katniss trying to run away! I think it did a really good job of showing how brutal and horrific it all was, without being too gruesome.
Now, I know they miss a lot of stuff out in the books here, but I think showing Katniss getting right into looking after herself was a nice touch and a good way to speed it up. I mean, I love how it’s done in the books, but it works great this way in the film. And the fireballs were pretty darn exciting too and meant that the Games part never let up in action! I loved how this time we do see that Peeta, whilst he’s working with the Careers, is obviously only thinking of protecting Katniss - even when they have her caught up the tree! I do think I preferred how it worked in the book, the tree bit - with Katniss working out the plan with the tracker jackers on her own and sawing that branch whilst she was still so badly wounded - before she got the medicine. But the way it worked in the film was good too - and I did love seeing Haymitch being so moved by Katniss’ injuries he went and drummed up sponsors. Though on a side note here, is it just me, or did anyone else imagine the mentors so much more in the thick of it, like being there watching it in a sort of control room, ready with the parachutes when needed.
Anyway, I thought they did a really good job of showing Katniss’ hallucinations with the tracker jacker venom and Peeta screaming at her to run - though on a side note it would have been nice to see a little bit of Peeta having to defend her from Cato here. And it was interesting how they used that bit to show the death of her father and then ending in once again seeing Peeta screaming at her to run.
Oh and would like to say here, how clever it was to switch to the presenters at certain points. It was a very seamless way of explaining things to the viewers who won’t have read the books, like the cannons and the tracker jackers and the landmines. It felt natural and was also a nice reprise from the intensity of the Games themselves. And I really enjoyed the glimpses into the control room of the Gamemakers - again it was a nice reprise and interesting to see how it was all planned and orchestrated. This, as well as showing the TV presenters, added that extra, powerful reminder that we are indeed dealing with a reality TV show where kids have to fight to the death, as entertainment for the Capitol and a warning for the Districts.
And then the bit with Rue! GAH! I knew it was going to be heartbreaking and it was! I loved the change in that it was Rue who helped Katniss first, and they were such a great pair. Her death was so, so touching and I really did have to blink back the tears on that bit - so moving! I loved how they showed Katniss with the flowers, and interesting that she was so angry initially, then crying her eyes out later. It’s not how Katniss reacted in the book, but it was a good way of showing there’s so much more to Katniss than meets the eye.
And the bit with District 11 was interesting. Whilst I do prefer the book version, where they simply send Katniss the bread as a way of saying thanks, the actual rioting we saw did work well in the films. It showed to a much greater extent the far reaching effects of the Hunger Games and Katniss’ power - and just why Snow is getting increasingly worried about her. It does add an extra element of intrigue to the film and sets things up very well for the future films.
Then of course, the proper Peeta/Katniss begins! I’ll save my main thoughts on them until the end of the post, but let’s just say I was very happy with how they were portrayed! I thought they had a really close relationship and excellent chemistry all the way through! I thought the bit with the Feast was well done and again, it just kept the action and intensity going - you never had a chance to just take a breath! Though I was a bit sad we didn’t see the bit with the sleeping syrup. I know it would’ve taken longer to explain, but it just shows the length Katniss had to go to, to subdue Peeta and just how determined he was to protect her - not to mention that he realised she was lying. Then the bits with the muttatations were actually pretty scary! The way it went all dark and they just suddenly jumped out! The lady in front of me properly jumped when they appeared! They may not have been as horrific as the ones described in the book, but they were certainly pretty scary on the film! And in the pitch dark like that as well! It was a real nail biting ending - even though I knew what would happen, I was still on the edge of my seat!
The bit on the Cornicopia was really interesting too - I loved the extra element they gave Cato at the end, how they showed that even him, a big strong Career trained to kill, was also very badly affected by the Games. And I did love the fighting between him and Peeta - it helped make up for the lack of acknowledgment earlier that Peeta fought Cato so Katniss could escape. And I’m glad they included the bit where Peeta comes up with the plan of getting rid of Cato, by indicating to Katniss to shoot Cato’s hand! I really loved this bit in the book because it shows just how clever Peeta is and just how in sync him and Katniss are at times.
The bit where they announce the rule change and how Peeta and Katniss react was very well done. You can really feel their despair and confusion - and I’m glad they didn’t make it soppy, which they could have done. The trick with the berries was put across well I thought, so you could understand what was going on without Katniss’ narrative, and the actors carried that scene so, so well! You could really feel the power and angst of that scene and just what they were trying to accomplish with those berries! And yeah, I sort of really loved all the Katniss/Peeta hugging here and earlier too… ;-)
Then the ending itself was very sinister - and a bit too quick I think! I was disappointed we didn’t get to see Katniss and Peeta reconcile after the games, or see Katniss’ nervous breakdown on the hovercraft, and they did miss out about Peeta’s leg... But the added bits with Seneca Crane with the berries and Snow at the end were very effective and sinister! It really did set up just how much of a problem these Games and Katniss had been for him, and really makes you long for the next film. Seeing Katniss and Peeta go back to District 12 with all crowd like that was pretty powerful, because you can tell from their expressions they really don’t feel like celebrating anything. And I did like how Katniss saw Gale and Prim at the end - she looked more guilty then than anything else, which I thought was interesting, especially as it was a look I’m sure Peeta noticed too.
Whilst I think the book ending is amazing, and perfect for the book, ending the film on the more sinister Snow like that in the film really makes you long for the second film and just what he’s planning for the star crossed lovers of District 12! I do think that the ending needed to be a bit longer, but then I guess the rushed feel of it does add to the cliff hanger ending.
As for the acting in the film, I thought it was excellent! I have only recently read the books, so I already knew the actors playing most of the roles so for me their faces felt right. But the way they acted the roles were amazing! No character made me go, urgh - you’re not right, which can happen in movie adaptations of books.
Katniss was absolutely brilliant; you could really see what she was thinking and feeling, the way her voice cracked, the way she said so much with her expressions, the way she was shaking at the start of the Games and the fear in her eyes at various points. Even though we don’t get to hear her thoughts like in the book, Jennifer Lawrence did an amazing job of conveying them, so you really, really did care for her character so very much. I also think that because we’re watching her rather than seeing the world through her eyes, she actually came across as more sympathetic and emotional than the books. We saw the Katniss the others see, not the Katniss she sees, which will set up her reactions to things in the later books well. Of course, that being said I do absolutely adore the first person narrative in the book, and so, so much is conveyed in that, but the transition from paper to film worked very, very well for Katniss. And of course, I LOVED how she acted around Peeta! They really did work very, very well together.
Josh Hutcherson as Peeta was amazing too! I mean, Peeta and Katniss are probably the two most complicated characters to pull off. They have the most amount of characterisation and layers and are the two main characters really. They are also the ones the audience most needed to respond positively too - and get behind the romance of! I think Peeta was portrayed brilliantly, just like how I’d imagined him in the book. Just the right balance of vulnerability and strength and I loved how caring he was shown to be, how concerned and despairing, yet practical too, clever and courageous. You could really see how much it was all affecting him, I mean, this is just a baker’s son who knew he was going to his death! But I loved how he still tried to make the most of it, getting advice from Haymitch, playing up to the crowd, everything. It makes me think, he did all he could to survive, even though he knew he never could, so it does seem as if he almost did it all for Katniss!
And I loved his relationship with Katniss - they really did have amazing chemistry. And in the Games themselves, he did a really good job of conveying his deep feelings for Katniss, his need to protect her and help her. The only slightly negative thing I will say about Peeta is I thought they needed to give him just a few more moments in the Games where we do see his strength and courage. We know he has it in him, but he didn’t get quite enough screen time for that part of his personality to shine through enough. Though the scenes with the mutts at the end and the Cornicopia did do well to show the courage and strength he has; his determination and his need to protect Katniss! And I did love how he helped her up to the Cornicopia first, automatically.
The other characters were very well acted too. We didn’t see much of him, but Gale felt right, though perhaps a bit too nice at the moment - be interesting to see how he is when the uprisings get going. Rue was just amazing! She wasn’t in it much, but gosh, you didn’t half feel so, so sad when she died. And even Thresh, who we hardly saw, made a great presence. Cato was another character I thought was really interestingly brought to life. Haymitch was great, he did a brilliant job of an alcoholic slowly starting to actually care about his two tributes this year. And the relationship set up between them will be interesting to see in future films. I liked Effie, she was irritating in a likeable way, just like the books, and Cinna was great. I didn’t picture him like that in the book, but he had a definite power/presence which was brilliant to watch and made you really care about him and his growing relationship with Katniss. I loved the extra we saw of Flickerman and Senaca Crane too - they were both made into quite interesting characters and I actually felt quite sad for poor Crane at the end! President Snow was the one who most surprised me though - he didn’t look at all how I pictured him, but he played the sinister role so, so very well! If anything, I think the fact that he looked too nice actually worked very well, as you really do see he is most definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I can’t wait to see more of his interactions with Katniss in the future films.
Ok, so before I start on the fangirling over Katniss and Peeta, I’d better do a bit on Katniss/Gale too! Firstly, I have to admit, I HATE love triangles with a passion and actually avoided reading the books for ages because I feared there was a major one in them. Thankfully that is just not the case, and the love triangle is very understated and actually makes a lot of sense in the books. Still, I was always a little wary of the Hunger Games film, because the trailers seemed to have a very definite Katniss/Gale feel to it. I was afraid that for the sake of including the proverbial love triangle, and because Gale is a pretty hot character (and actor), that they would spend too much time on the Katniss/Gale thing. I am very pleased to say that did not happen at all. Yes, there were Katniss/Gale moments, but they were very understated, only what we saw in the book and all very much spoke of a deep friendship, nothing more (as yet), which makes sense.
In fact, I thought the scene where Gale says goodbye was pretty moving and I’m pleased they didn’t try to make it “romantic”, which would have ruined the power of it. I mean, we did see a few scenes of Gale looking crushed at the Peeta/Katniss bits, but I actually really liked that! I mean, for a start, it was pretty much what I myself had imagined - Gale watching and not being happy. But also, it was very much one-sided, which again works well for the books and the characters and, if Gale was that crushed, it shows he must definitely think that Katniss is falling for Peeta! And it’s also an added reminder that Katniss and Peeta and their growing relationship is very much on display for everyone to see. Yes, there were hints that there could be more between Gale and Katniss in the future, but again they were just like in the book, they also made sense and will just be enough to get people who don’t know the books more invested in the love triangle - and hopefully on the good ship Katniss/Peeta!
Now, onto Katniss and Peeta! Firstly, they really did have some amazing chemistry, which is always going to make or break a couple. As I’ve mentioned earlier, I loved how they portrayed their growing friendship, the crush Peeta has on Katniss and the deeper connection that there is between them in the pre-Games bit. I loved Katniss’ “lady doth protest too much” in the beginning and without knowing Katniss’ precise thoughts, she really did seem shy/defensive and definitely trying to hide that she was growing more and more attracted to him!
Then, onto the Games themselves! I liked how we saw Peeta protecting Katniss from the Careers right from the start - it did show that he is quite clever and conniving! And his anguish at scenes like Katniss being caught up the tree and screaming at her to run were brilliant! Whilst I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get Katniss screaming Peeta’s name at the rule change, the way she jumped up and immediately ran to find him definitely made up for it! It shows just how much she does care about him and just what a difference this new rule has made.
I then obviously completely adored all their scenes together - my only real complaint is that they needed to be longer and more of them! We really did see so well the depth of Peeta’s feelings for Katniss and her growing feelings for him. I loved the bit where she kissed him. I mean, I knew it was coming, but it really was a great kiss! And I just adored how they cuddled up together, with the camera focusing on things like them holding hands and her resting her head on his shoulder! GAH! Soooooo squee worthy! And considering it is the first time we really see Katniss cuddlling up with anyone, it’s pretty powerful. And without Katniss’ internal thought process on the merits of keeping warm, it really did look like she just longed for this comfort and intimacy with him (which we know she did in the books too really! LOL! ;-) ) GAH! It was just very, very epic!
Her taking care of Peeta was amazing and I loved how, after she’d returned from the Cornicopia, Peeta was more concerned about caring for her. The bit where he rubbed the medicine onto her face was just sooooo squee worthy! Though I really wish we had seen them kiss then, before they cut away! I also like how Peeta makes Katniss smile - it’s so nice to see her actually being a little happy in the middle of all this carnage and imo, it shows just how perfect they are together!
I ADORED Katniss’ reaction when the cannon went off and she thought something had happened to Peeta - you could really see the fear and anguish she felt as she ran around trying to find him. And then their hug when she did, GAH! If that’s what Katniss is like now, not sure how I’ll cope seeing her in Catching Fire when Peeta does actually die (thank goodness only momentarily!). It was just such a wonderful way to show how much Peeta does mean to her. And her reaction to him and Cato at the end was great, as you knew she was hesitating so much because she couldn’t let Peeta die. And then at the end, when the rule gets changed again! GAH! Sooooo much between them; both in how they feel towards each other and this connection between them which is only growing stronger. And, just like in the books, you can see it really, really well!
And the ending was wonderful too, the way Peeta held her hand at the interview, the way they talked on the train home and you could really see there is so much more between them now. Whilst I did wish we’d had a few more of the Katniss/Peeta moments, like more kissing, her breaking down on the hovercraft, their reconciliation after the Games and her reaction to his lost leg, what we did have was still really wonderful! It was so bittersweet the bit where Katniss talks about forgetting and Peeta doesn’t want to. I mean, from a shippy perspective it definitely seems like he’s meaning forget about Katniss, but I think it’s more than that - I think it’s not forgetting about the Games and the people in them, that that is dishonouring them. And then ending on them in the crowd was pretty epic, with Peeta and Katniss having to play the Star Crossed Lovers from District 12, Katniss’ guilt when she saw Gale and Peeta noticing this… It really does set things up oh so very nicely for a very squee worthy sequel! Just so long as we get to see them grow close on the Victory Tour!
And whilst I am still a bit worried we’re going to get more Katniss/Gale in the next film than I’d like, I do think it’s quite obvious they’re going to stick with the books and end with Katniss/Peeta. In fact, the Katniss/Peeta thing was just so, so much more the focus than Katniss/Gale, which not only suited the books, but made my shippy heart very happy! I mean, considering how fast the movie went, they actually did spend a nice proportion of time setting up Katniss and Peeta and I’m sure most film goers will be rooting for their romance a lot! I know my housemate, who I made read the books after me, has become even more of a Peeta/Katniss fan after seeing the film!
Of course, there were a few things about the Peeta/Katniss in the film that made me go a little, hmmm… For a start, as I’ve mentioned above, I don’t think they portrayed the magnitude of the bread story that well. I mean, we can see that Katniss clearly remembers it, there are numerous flashbacks to it after all, and it does give her and Peeta this deeper connection before the Games even started. But I’m not sure how much the actual significance this had on her life is really conveyed. I mean, in the book, we learn that she was close to dying of starvation - her whole family were! And that Peeta’s bread not only gave her food then, (and at great costs to himself), but also made her completely change her outlook on life. It made her realise she could provide for her family, that they could survive and it set in motion the next 5 years or so of her life spent hunting - which, ultimately, also made her capable of winning the Hunger Games.
I did love the scene in the cave when Peeta talks about the bread story and the extra bit where he talks about how he wished he’d spoken to her then was definitely squee worthy. But I think, in this scene, we also needed to see just how much it meant to Katniss, as the debt she feels she owes Peeta for the bread is a very big part of their story here. I know there are hints, like how she remembers the flashback when she thinks of Peeta helping her, but I wish we’d’ve had just a few lines from her about how she’s in his debt. And following on from this, whilst I adored Peeta talking about how he remembered Katniss when she was so young, I wish we’d also been told that it was when they were both so very young and that they’d included the really sweet bit of how Peeta remembers that the birds stopped singing when Katniss sang. Though saying that, the scene was suitably squee worthy without and I can definitely see these things coming up again to make up for it, particularly in Mockingjay after Peeta’s been hijacked.
Another change with the Peeta/Katniss storyline that I’m a little unsure about, is the nature of the rule change. I mean, in the books, it’s made pretty clear that the Capitol were rooting for the Star Crossed Lovers from District 12 so much that they almost forced the Gamemaker’s hand in changing the rules! In the film though, I don’t think we get this same feeling. It seems more like it was Haymitch who orchestrated all that. And whilst I love the idea that Haymitch cared so much about both tributes and worked out a way to save both, it does lessen the impact and significance of the Star Crossed Lovers - which is important in later books. And it also lessens Peeta’s impact too - because his declaration of love for Katniss in the interviews and his constant goal of protecting her and helping her in the earlier part of the Games is what we assumed caused the rule change in the book. That, in the film, it was more likely Haymitch who did this, makes Peeta’s impact less important, which makes his impact on the upcoming rebellion less important too. I mean, it did need Peeta to act that way for Haymitch to come up with the idea in the first place - and be convincing - but I just think it lessens Peeta’s significance a lot. Maybe that’s just me though! ;-)
And the other change that I thought was interesting was how they seemed to lessen the real/not real, “pretend” nature of their romance. For a start, we see Katniss and Peeta grow to be friends themselves, not from any push from Cinna or Haymitch. And whilst it is quite obvious when Katniss kisses Peeta in the cave that she’s doing it for the cameras, she does seem to react to it rather interestingly… And the rest of the stuff, like them talking and cuddling up together, hugging a lot and everything, just seems to be so them, it just feels so natural! I guess not seeing everything through Katniss’ eyes makes it harder to portray what she’s actually thinking, and how she’s justifying it all, but I did wonder at them missing out little things like Peeta saying to Katniss that they’re pretending to be in love, and I think they could have made it more obvious their little romance was for the cameras if they’d wanted to. Instead, it just felt like Katniss really was falling for Peeta and Peeta obviously was already very much in love with Katniss! And I know that happens in the book anyway, but so much is clouded at this point by Katniss “pretending” for the cameras, which I just didn’t feel came across in the film.
And I know at the end Haymitch does tell Katniss that she has to go along with the plan that she and Peeta were just so much in love that she couldn’t bear to lose him, but it didn’t feel that significant. Like it was obvious she was doing that when she held Peeta’s hand at the interview and at the end, but there wasn’t really any backtracking, explaining they were also “pretending” in the cave scene and everything - or that that wasn’t indeed Katniss’ motivation with berries anyway! And the whole ending was so quick anyway, it was hard to really get a sense that there was any “pretend” nature to their romance that Katniss and Peeta were confused about. And I mean, they can still have some element of the pretend romance in future films. I mean they’ll have to if they follow the story of Snow asking Katniss to convince him she loves Peeta and then their fake engagement. But I just think that they may downplay a lot of the real complexity of it.
Don’t get me wrong, I definitely don’t mean this as a criticism, I just think it’s really interesting that they seem to be focusing so much less on the “pretend” real/not real aspect of their romance at this point. And if this is the case, that they are just showing Katniss as falling for Peeta, but confused about it all, it would make things simpler in future films. I mean, as much as I ADORE the angst and complexities of their messy “pretend” real/not real romance in the books, I do think it would be hard to get across properly in later books. And if things were this fast paced in book one, they really will need all the time they can get in future films! I guess it’s also a way round not seeing things through Katniss’ eyes, instead seeing things the way others would see them.
And I wonder if that’s why they didn’t have any more kisses between Katniss and Peeta - especially in the scene where he fixes her head wound. I guess then, it would be harder to explain Katniss’ confusion in later films if she’d been so willing to kiss Peeta here! The same with her reaction to Peeta after the Games - in them reconciling and her breakdown in the Hovercraft and when she finds out about Peeta’s leg. And maybe why they cut away from Katniss giving an answer to Peeta’s question as to why she is helping him - when it could mean death for them both. Though saying that, it would have been nice to see Katniss trying to come up with some excuse to tell Peeta! LOL! And it’s not really mentioned at the end either, we don’t see Katniss having to break it to Peeta that it wasn’t all real for her, which is another interesting change.
Anyway, it sounds like I’m being critical of all the Katniss/Peeta things, which I’m really not! Though they did simplify things from the book, I think they did a really good job of getting across their epic love story and it was given enough time to make the audience really care about them. Obviously I’m biased as I’m already a huge Katniss/Peeta shipper, but other than me simply wanting more Katniss/Peeta moments (heck, the whole film could have been about them!) the film definitely left my shippy heart happy and I did adore seeing them actually interact on the big screen.
And I think the film stayed true to their characters and romance. The few changes there were I’m really interested to see how they continue in the future films, especially how they will deal with real/not real side of Katniss and Peeta’s relationship now that it seems to have been downplayed, particularly in Catching Fire and with Peeta’s hijacking. And really, considering how paranoid I was that the film would ram up the Katniss/Gale, I couldn’t be any more relieved! The romance there was, was definitely all about Katniss and Peeta! Though obviously, I wouldn’t have minded even more! ;-)
So, then, all in all, I just really, really loved the film! I was hooked like nearly all the way through and moved and emotional and almost numb with the sheer brilliance of it all at the end! I usually like to talk about films after I’ve watched them, but I was properly gushing this time around - even now, if this long LJ post isn’t evident enough! I just thought the overall film was just so fantastic, so amazing and brilliant! Yes, there were little bits that niggled me, but the overall effects is just awe-inspiring and definitely does the book proud! If I hadn’t already read the books, I would have gone out and bought them straight away - I was addicted enough even knowing what happens!
I thought it stuck to the book very well and makes me very hopeful for future films doing the same. The few changes made, for the most part, worked well and were an interesting way to adapt the book to film. They also set up things very well for the future films and gave the first film more of a far reaching message, which I think would make it even more popular with the mainstream audience.
I do think it skimmed over a good load of details that are in the book and it moved at a very fast pace, but this is always a problem of book to film adaptations - and why everyone needs to read the books too! I think considering the time constraints it did a really excellent job of getting across the main messages in the book, the characters and just what they have to go through! I think in a way, the fast pace worked too, because that is how it’s written in the books and it makes it all the more exciting and intense.
My only criticism really is that the beginning bit, back in District 12, especially with the dizzy camera work, was a bit too long. I would have preferred more time focused on other things, like more on the ending, and obviously more on Katniss and Peeta!
But gosh, I just want to go and see the film again, NOW! And re-read the books and, better yet, see the next film, Catching Fire, NOW! I really cannot wait to see how they adapt that book to the big screen, especially all the Katniss and Peeta stuff!
Firstly I really, really LOVED it! It was an AMAZING, EPIC film and one I definitely recommend to everyone, whether you’ve read the books or not!
It’s a film I will definitely see again at the cinema, and get on DVD and watch again and again! And I absolutely cannot wait until the rest of the films are here. I’m really pleased the film has done so well, because hopefully it’ll make even more people aware of this amazing trilogy and they’ll get on and make the other two books into films asap!
Not only was it really intense, incredibly well acted, entertaining and exciting, it carried very, very well the main essence of the book. It gave you a very good understanding of all the characters and the further implications of what it all means. And they did a really good job of making sure those that hadn’t read the book would still be able to follow it, would be just as gripped as everyone else and would still get very invested in the characters. I thought the small changes they made were good and some added a really interesting extra dimension to the film. It also set things up very, very well for the sequels - which they better get filming NOW!
So then, the film - obviously the rest of the post contains spoilers, for the books and film, but gosh, if you haven’t seen or read it yet, fix it now - it truly is just amazing! Just EPIC!
Ok, so I admit, I was a little worried at first. I did like the text at the beginning as a lead in, but I do think it took a little bit too long to get going. I think they could have shown a bit less of District 12 and Katniss and then Gale in the woods and maybe a bit less on the preparations at the reaping, especially all that blood testing palaver. And I have to say, the camera work at the beginning was making me a bit dizzy, it was perhaps all over the place a bit too much at this point. I did like the extra bit where we see Snow giving the history though; it added an interesting dimension to the purpose of the Hunger Games. And whilst they did focus on just how poor District 12 is (perhaps a bit too much,) I don’t think they properly got across at this point just how much of Katniss’ life is so totally dedicated to providing for and looking after her family.
But, overall it did convey well the horrific nature of the Hunger Games, everyone’s fear at the reaping and the desolation and despair of the people in District 12. Though yeah, it could have hurried this little bit up a bit, and perhaps shown a bit more of just how rotten Katniss’ life is at this point - and how it’s toughened her up so much.
I did love the reaction to Primrose’s name being called, the silence, the way her friends moved away, the way Katniss sort of followed her before screaming out she’d volunteer. All very effective and here the quick moving camerawork did work well. And poor Peeta! I loved his reaction - his face said so, so much! I loved how him and Katniss sort of watched each other and were already so awkward around each other. It set things up very nicely for them, and the actors really did have brilliant chemistry. The only thing here though, whilst I did like the flashback to the bread story, I’m not sure the overall magnitude was put across properly. But, at the very least, it shows that already Peeta and Katniss have this connection.
The final goodbyes with Katniss and her family were so, so sad! The bit with Prim and the Mockingjay pin - for protection - were so moving. And though it was short, the bit with Katniss and her mother did work well IMO, showing their strained relationship. And then the bit with her and Gale was nice too, just the right balance of emotion. I mean, you can really feel the despair and pain between the two of them, and it echoes so well all the fears Katniss has, but it never strayed over the friendship line, so thumbs up from me!
Then, loved how they first reacted to seeing the train, (and later the training centre) so very telling of the differences in wealth and expectations. And it’s almost like some sick joke - feeding them so well and giving them such luxuries when they’re about to have to fight to the death!
I loved the awkwardness between Katniss and Peeta at the start! I mean, they have never spoken to each other and it’s obvious this awkwardness is based on so much more than them both simply being stunned by becoming tributes. I’m not too sure what I think about Peeta and Katniss' first meeting with Haymitch though. I did like how drunk he was, how indifferent and uncaring, but his reaction to Peeta was a little odd… And I did miss the bit where we see Peeta actually getting angry at Haymitch… But then later, I do love how we see Haymitch start to act like a proper mentor, and the way we see his growing relationship with Katniss and their mutual understanding of each other is great. I also love how he also responds so well to Peeta - especially the line about how Peeta knows what he’s doing! LOL! Whilst it is Haymitch and Katniss who are the closest, you can already see the respect that Haymitch has for Peeta, and how much he’s starting to care for his two tributes.
I loved all the stuff in the Capitol and thought they did an amazing job of keeping you interested in all the preparations. I thought it was very clever how they introduced the details with the reality TV presenters, or Haymitch/Effie explaining it to them. It was a good way round the fact that in the book it’s all explained in Katniss’ thoughts. I liked how they portrayed the people in the Capitol - such a contrast! - and whilst he wasn’t in it much, I did really love Cinna’s character. And I loved seeing more behind the murky world of the Games - all the power play and internal Games between Seneca Crane and Snow. It really did show well the danger Katniss presented to him and sets things up nicely for later films!
I absolutely LOVED the costumes, especially Katniss' interview dress. At first I was like, what, that dress is so meh, then she started spinning and I was like WOW! And the parade! They really were properly on fire, it was awesome! And GAH! at Peeta being the one to initiate the hand holding. It was a nice change and loved Katniss’ first reaction - you’re protesting a bit too much deary! I actually really liked how we see Katniss and Peeta becoming friends, without the added push from Haymitch, it was nice and felt natural - and very adorably sweet! I’m really pleased they also kept in the bit where both Katniss and Peeta reel off the other’s skills - it’s such a wonderful pre-Game moment which shows how connected they both already are!
And I really liked the impending doom feel of the training, really letting you know just how brutal the final Games would actually be. And just how tough some of those other tributes were! And I know it’s an addition, but I did really love Katniss telling Peeta to show his strength to the Careers, it was such a nice touch - and of course fed well into the later “pact” he makes with them.
I thought Peeta and Katniss did an amazing job in the preparations - just the right amount of friendship, though you could see the beginnings of something more between them, which was lovely. I do think they needed to have given just a little more time to the bread story though, because it was so significant to their relationship. And I loved how well they portrayed the crush Peeta had on Katniss and her guilt/despair at knowing that one of them will have to die, especially after Peeta talks about what his mother said. And I loved the feeling of sadness/betrayal we see in Katniss when she hears that Peeta will be preparing for his interview on his own… In fact their whole pre-Game interactions were great, just enough there to get you involved but not enough to take over - just like in the books really. Not that I’d have minded a few more moments between them though! ;-)
And Peeta’s announcement in the interview properly got my heart racing, it was so awesome! I mean, I knew it was coming, but it was still so epic and squee worthy - and I loved the focus on Katniss’ face afterwards. Peeta was just adorable and really made you want to hug him, or better yet, have Katniss hug him! If I didn’t know what was to come, I would have been soooo addicted at this point and so invested in Katnss and Peeta. I’d be wondering just how him and Katniss would survive and how their love story, which was obviously building between them, would work out. Just like I was when I first read it in the book! Heck, I was like that anyway, even though I did know what happens! ;-) And Peeta’s exchange with Flickerman was soooo funny too! A nice bit of light relief (though we did need just a little bit more explanation on the rose shower thing).
And Katniss’ reaction after too! She was so over reacting! It was really shown so well just how enraged she was - and poor Peeta again, he looked so heartbroken! Loved that they kept in the Katniss: “it makes me look weak,” Haymitch: “It makes you look desirable,” exchange, which I always loved and found so interesting in the book!
And Katniss and Peeta’s bit on the roof was really cute too, just how I’d imagined it from the book - them growing closer and getting to know each other that bit more. And seeing a bit more into the deeper thoughts and personalities of both. I’m glad they took a bit more time on this bit - especially as all their talk about not wanting to be changed and make a difference is soooo significant in later books!
Then, gosh, we go right to the Games nearly! The pre-Games set up and countdown was interesting - and I did really like seeing the “control room” for the Games. And then Cinna just before was brilliant and gosh, Katniss was properly shaking! Such amazing acting! And what an edge of your seat countdown - showing you all the different bits and people’s reactions as you get nearer to zero. LOVED that they included Katniss considering going for the bow and Peeta convincing her not too…
And in the opening bit of the Games - gosh! Here the crazy camera work was definitely effective in constantly flickering between it all - it was just so crazy, that bloodbath and Katniss trying to run away! I think it did a really good job of showing how brutal and horrific it all was, without being too gruesome.
Now, I know they miss a lot of stuff out in the books here, but I think showing Katniss getting right into looking after herself was a nice touch and a good way to speed it up. I mean, I love how it’s done in the books, but it works great this way in the film. And the fireballs were pretty darn exciting too and meant that the Games part never let up in action! I loved how this time we do see that Peeta, whilst he’s working with the Careers, is obviously only thinking of protecting Katniss - even when they have her caught up the tree! I do think I preferred how it worked in the book, the tree bit - with Katniss working out the plan with the tracker jackers on her own and sawing that branch whilst she was still so badly wounded - before she got the medicine. But the way it worked in the film was good too - and I did love seeing Haymitch being so moved by Katniss’ injuries he went and drummed up sponsors. Though on a side note here, is it just me, or did anyone else imagine the mentors so much more in the thick of it, like being there watching it in a sort of control room, ready with the parachutes when needed.
Anyway, I thought they did a really good job of showing Katniss’ hallucinations with the tracker jacker venom and Peeta screaming at her to run - though on a side note it would have been nice to see a little bit of Peeta having to defend her from Cato here. And it was interesting how they used that bit to show the death of her father and then ending in once again seeing Peeta screaming at her to run.
Oh and would like to say here, how clever it was to switch to the presenters at certain points. It was a very seamless way of explaining things to the viewers who won’t have read the books, like the cannons and the tracker jackers and the landmines. It felt natural and was also a nice reprise from the intensity of the Games themselves. And I really enjoyed the glimpses into the control room of the Gamemakers - again it was a nice reprise and interesting to see how it was all planned and orchestrated. This, as well as showing the TV presenters, added that extra, powerful reminder that we are indeed dealing with a reality TV show where kids have to fight to the death, as entertainment for the Capitol and a warning for the Districts.
And then the bit with Rue! GAH! I knew it was going to be heartbreaking and it was! I loved the change in that it was Rue who helped Katniss first, and they were such a great pair. Her death was so, so touching and I really did have to blink back the tears on that bit - so moving! I loved how they showed Katniss with the flowers, and interesting that she was so angry initially, then crying her eyes out later. It’s not how Katniss reacted in the book, but it was a good way of showing there’s so much more to Katniss than meets the eye.
And the bit with District 11 was interesting. Whilst I do prefer the book version, where they simply send Katniss the bread as a way of saying thanks, the actual rioting we saw did work well in the films. It showed to a much greater extent the far reaching effects of the Hunger Games and Katniss’ power - and just why Snow is getting increasingly worried about her. It does add an extra element of intrigue to the film and sets things up very well for the future films.
Then of course, the proper Peeta/Katniss begins! I’ll save my main thoughts on them until the end of the post, but let’s just say I was very happy with how they were portrayed! I thought they had a really close relationship and excellent chemistry all the way through! I thought the bit with the Feast was well done and again, it just kept the action and intensity going - you never had a chance to just take a breath! Though I was a bit sad we didn’t see the bit with the sleeping syrup. I know it would’ve taken longer to explain, but it just shows the length Katniss had to go to, to subdue Peeta and just how determined he was to protect her - not to mention that he realised she was lying. Then the bits with the muttatations were actually pretty scary! The way it went all dark and they just suddenly jumped out! The lady in front of me properly jumped when they appeared! They may not have been as horrific as the ones described in the book, but they were certainly pretty scary on the film! And in the pitch dark like that as well! It was a real nail biting ending - even though I knew what would happen, I was still on the edge of my seat!
The bit on the Cornicopia was really interesting too - I loved the extra element they gave Cato at the end, how they showed that even him, a big strong Career trained to kill, was also very badly affected by the Games. And I did love the fighting between him and Peeta - it helped make up for the lack of acknowledgment earlier that Peeta fought Cato so Katniss could escape. And I’m glad they included the bit where Peeta comes up with the plan of getting rid of Cato, by indicating to Katniss to shoot Cato’s hand! I really loved this bit in the book because it shows just how clever Peeta is and just how in sync him and Katniss are at times.
The bit where they announce the rule change and how Peeta and Katniss react was very well done. You can really feel their despair and confusion - and I’m glad they didn’t make it soppy, which they could have done. The trick with the berries was put across well I thought, so you could understand what was going on without Katniss’ narrative, and the actors carried that scene so, so well! You could really feel the power and angst of that scene and just what they were trying to accomplish with those berries! And yeah, I sort of really loved all the Katniss/Peeta hugging here and earlier too… ;-)
Then the ending itself was very sinister - and a bit too quick I think! I was disappointed we didn’t get to see Katniss and Peeta reconcile after the games, or see Katniss’ nervous breakdown on the hovercraft, and they did miss out about Peeta’s leg... But the added bits with Seneca Crane with the berries and Snow at the end were very effective and sinister! It really did set up just how much of a problem these Games and Katniss had been for him, and really makes you long for the next film. Seeing Katniss and Peeta go back to District 12 with all crowd like that was pretty powerful, because you can tell from their expressions they really don’t feel like celebrating anything. And I did like how Katniss saw Gale and Prim at the end - she looked more guilty then than anything else, which I thought was interesting, especially as it was a look I’m sure Peeta noticed too.
Whilst I think the book ending is amazing, and perfect for the book, ending the film on the more sinister Snow like that in the film really makes you long for the second film and just what he’s planning for the star crossed lovers of District 12! I do think that the ending needed to be a bit longer, but then I guess the rushed feel of it does add to the cliff hanger ending.
As for the acting in the film, I thought it was excellent! I have only recently read the books, so I already knew the actors playing most of the roles so for me their faces felt right. But the way they acted the roles were amazing! No character made me go, urgh - you’re not right, which can happen in movie adaptations of books.
Katniss was absolutely brilliant; you could really see what she was thinking and feeling, the way her voice cracked, the way she said so much with her expressions, the way she was shaking at the start of the Games and the fear in her eyes at various points. Even though we don’t get to hear her thoughts like in the book, Jennifer Lawrence did an amazing job of conveying them, so you really, really did care for her character so very much. I also think that because we’re watching her rather than seeing the world through her eyes, she actually came across as more sympathetic and emotional than the books. We saw the Katniss the others see, not the Katniss she sees, which will set up her reactions to things in the later books well. Of course, that being said I do absolutely adore the first person narrative in the book, and so, so much is conveyed in that, but the transition from paper to film worked very, very well for Katniss. And of course, I LOVED how she acted around Peeta! They really did work very, very well together.
Josh Hutcherson as Peeta was amazing too! I mean, Peeta and Katniss are probably the two most complicated characters to pull off. They have the most amount of characterisation and layers and are the two main characters really. They are also the ones the audience most needed to respond positively too - and get behind the romance of! I think Peeta was portrayed brilliantly, just like how I’d imagined him in the book. Just the right balance of vulnerability and strength and I loved how caring he was shown to be, how concerned and despairing, yet practical too, clever and courageous. You could really see how much it was all affecting him, I mean, this is just a baker’s son who knew he was going to his death! But I loved how he still tried to make the most of it, getting advice from Haymitch, playing up to the crowd, everything. It makes me think, he did all he could to survive, even though he knew he never could, so it does seem as if he almost did it all for Katniss!
And I loved his relationship with Katniss - they really did have amazing chemistry. And in the Games themselves, he did a really good job of conveying his deep feelings for Katniss, his need to protect her and help her. The only slightly negative thing I will say about Peeta is I thought they needed to give him just a few more moments in the Games where we do see his strength and courage. We know he has it in him, but he didn’t get quite enough screen time for that part of his personality to shine through enough. Though the scenes with the mutts at the end and the Cornicopia did do well to show the courage and strength he has; his determination and his need to protect Katniss! And I did love how he helped her up to the Cornicopia first, automatically.
The other characters were very well acted too. We didn’t see much of him, but Gale felt right, though perhaps a bit too nice at the moment - be interesting to see how he is when the uprisings get going. Rue was just amazing! She wasn’t in it much, but gosh, you didn’t half feel so, so sad when she died. And even Thresh, who we hardly saw, made a great presence. Cato was another character I thought was really interestingly brought to life. Haymitch was great, he did a brilliant job of an alcoholic slowly starting to actually care about his two tributes this year. And the relationship set up between them will be interesting to see in future films. I liked Effie, she was irritating in a likeable way, just like the books, and Cinna was great. I didn’t picture him like that in the book, but he had a definite power/presence which was brilliant to watch and made you really care about him and his growing relationship with Katniss. I loved the extra we saw of Flickerman and Senaca Crane too - they were both made into quite interesting characters and I actually felt quite sad for poor Crane at the end! President Snow was the one who most surprised me though - he didn’t look at all how I pictured him, but he played the sinister role so, so very well! If anything, I think the fact that he looked too nice actually worked very well, as you really do see he is most definitely a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I can’t wait to see more of his interactions with Katniss in the future films.
Ok, so before I start on the fangirling over Katniss and Peeta, I’d better do a bit on Katniss/Gale too! Firstly, I have to admit, I HATE love triangles with a passion and actually avoided reading the books for ages because I feared there was a major one in them. Thankfully that is just not the case, and the love triangle is very understated and actually makes a lot of sense in the books. Still, I was always a little wary of the Hunger Games film, because the trailers seemed to have a very definite Katniss/Gale feel to it. I was afraid that for the sake of including the proverbial love triangle, and because Gale is a pretty hot character (and actor), that they would spend too much time on the Katniss/Gale thing. I am very pleased to say that did not happen at all. Yes, there were Katniss/Gale moments, but they were very understated, only what we saw in the book and all very much spoke of a deep friendship, nothing more (as yet), which makes sense.
In fact, I thought the scene where Gale says goodbye was pretty moving and I’m pleased they didn’t try to make it “romantic”, which would have ruined the power of it. I mean, we did see a few scenes of Gale looking crushed at the Peeta/Katniss bits, but I actually really liked that! I mean, for a start, it was pretty much what I myself had imagined - Gale watching and not being happy. But also, it was very much one-sided, which again works well for the books and the characters and, if Gale was that crushed, it shows he must definitely think that Katniss is falling for Peeta! And it’s also an added reminder that Katniss and Peeta and their growing relationship is very much on display for everyone to see. Yes, there were hints that there could be more between Gale and Katniss in the future, but again they were just like in the book, they also made sense and will just be enough to get people who don’t know the books more invested in the love triangle - and hopefully on the good ship Katniss/Peeta!
Now, onto Katniss and Peeta! Firstly, they really did have some amazing chemistry, which is always going to make or break a couple. As I’ve mentioned earlier, I loved how they portrayed their growing friendship, the crush Peeta has on Katniss and the deeper connection that there is between them in the pre-Games bit. I loved Katniss’ “lady doth protest too much” in the beginning and without knowing Katniss’ precise thoughts, she really did seem shy/defensive and definitely trying to hide that she was growing more and more attracted to him!
Then, onto the Games themselves! I liked how we saw Peeta protecting Katniss from the Careers right from the start - it did show that he is quite clever and conniving! And his anguish at scenes like Katniss being caught up the tree and screaming at her to run were brilliant! Whilst I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get Katniss screaming Peeta’s name at the rule change, the way she jumped up and immediately ran to find him definitely made up for it! It shows just how much she does care about him and just what a difference this new rule has made.
I then obviously completely adored all their scenes together - my only real complaint is that they needed to be longer and more of them! We really did see so well the depth of Peeta’s feelings for Katniss and her growing feelings for him. I loved the bit where she kissed him. I mean, I knew it was coming, but it really was a great kiss! And I just adored how they cuddled up together, with the camera focusing on things like them holding hands and her resting her head on his shoulder! GAH! Soooooo squee worthy! And considering it is the first time we really see Katniss cuddlling up with anyone, it’s pretty powerful. And without Katniss’ internal thought process on the merits of keeping warm, it really did look like she just longed for this comfort and intimacy with him (which we know she did in the books too really! LOL! ;-) ) GAH! It was just very, very epic!
Her taking care of Peeta was amazing and I loved how, after she’d returned from the Cornicopia, Peeta was more concerned about caring for her. The bit where he rubbed the medicine onto her face was just sooooo squee worthy! Though I really wish we had seen them kiss then, before they cut away! I also like how Peeta makes Katniss smile - it’s so nice to see her actually being a little happy in the middle of all this carnage and imo, it shows just how perfect they are together!
I ADORED Katniss’ reaction when the cannon went off and she thought something had happened to Peeta - you could really see the fear and anguish she felt as she ran around trying to find him. And then their hug when she did, GAH! If that’s what Katniss is like now, not sure how I’ll cope seeing her in Catching Fire when Peeta does actually die (thank goodness only momentarily!). It was just such a wonderful way to show how much Peeta does mean to her. And her reaction to him and Cato at the end was great, as you knew she was hesitating so much because she couldn’t let Peeta die. And then at the end, when the rule gets changed again! GAH! Sooooo much between them; both in how they feel towards each other and this connection between them which is only growing stronger. And, just like in the books, you can see it really, really well!
And the ending was wonderful too, the way Peeta held her hand at the interview, the way they talked on the train home and you could really see there is so much more between them now. Whilst I did wish we’d had a few more of the Katniss/Peeta moments, like more kissing, her breaking down on the hovercraft, their reconciliation after the Games and her reaction to his lost leg, what we did have was still really wonderful! It was so bittersweet the bit where Katniss talks about forgetting and Peeta doesn’t want to. I mean, from a shippy perspective it definitely seems like he’s meaning forget about Katniss, but I think it’s more than that - I think it’s not forgetting about the Games and the people in them, that that is dishonouring them. And then ending on them in the crowd was pretty epic, with Peeta and Katniss having to play the Star Crossed Lovers from District 12, Katniss’ guilt when she saw Gale and Peeta noticing this… It really does set things up oh so very nicely for a very squee worthy sequel! Just so long as we get to see them grow close on the Victory Tour!
And whilst I am still a bit worried we’re going to get more Katniss/Gale in the next film than I’d like, I do think it’s quite obvious they’re going to stick with the books and end with Katniss/Peeta. In fact, the Katniss/Peeta thing was just so, so much more the focus than Katniss/Gale, which not only suited the books, but made my shippy heart very happy! I mean, considering how fast the movie went, they actually did spend a nice proportion of time setting up Katniss and Peeta and I’m sure most film goers will be rooting for their romance a lot! I know my housemate, who I made read the books after me, has become even more of a Peeta/Katniss fan after seeing the film!
Of course, there were a few things about the Peeta/Katniss in the film that made me go a little, hmmm… For a start, as I’ve mentioned above, I don’t think they portrayed the magnitude of the bread story that well. I mean, we can see that Katniss clearly remembers it, there are numerous flashbacks to it after all, and it does give her and Peeta this deeper connection before the Games even started. But I’m not sure how much the actual significance this had on her life is really conveyed. I mean, in the book, we learn that she was close to dying of starvation - her whole family were! And that Peeta’s bread not only gave her food then, (and at great costs to himself), but also made her completely change her outlook on life. It made her realise she could provide for her family, that they could survive and it set in motion the next 5 years or so of her life spent hunting - which, ultimately, also made her capable of winning the Hunger Games.
I did love the scene in the cave when Peeta talks about the bread story and the extra bit where he talks about how he wished he’d spoken to her then was definitely squee worthy. But I think, in this scene, we also needed to see just how much it meant to Katniss, as the debt she feels she owes Peeta for the bread is a very big part of their story here. I know there are hints, like how she remembers the flashback when she thinks of Peeta helping her, but I wish we’d’ve had just a few lines from her about how she’s in his debt. And following on from this, whilst I adored Peeta talking about how he remembered Katniss when she was so young, I wish we’d also been told that it was when they were both so very young and that they’d included the really sweet bit of how Peeta remembers that the birds stopped singing when Katniss sang. Though saying that, the scene was suitably squee worthy without and I can definitely see these things coming up again to make up for it, particularly in Mockingjay after Peeta’s been hijacked.
Another change with the Peeta/Katniss storyline that I’m a little unsure about, is the nature of the rule change. I mean, in the books, it’s made pretty clear that the Capitol were rooting for the Star Crossed Lovers from District 12 so much that they almost forced the Gamemaker’s hand in changing the rules! In the film though, I don’t think we get this same feeling. It seems more like it was Haymitch who orchestrated all that. And whilst I love the idea that Haymitch cared so much about both tributes and worked out a way to save both, it does lessen the impact and significance of the Star Crossed Lovers - which is important in later books. And it also lessens Peeta’s impact too - because his declaration of love for Katniss in the interviews and his constant goal of protecting her and helping her in the earlier part of the Games is what we assumed caused the rule change in the book. That, in the film, it was more likely Haymitch who did this, makes Peeta’s impact less important, which makes his impact on the upcoming rebellion less important too. I mean, it did need Peeta to act that way for Haymitch to come up with the idea in the first place - and be convincing - but I just think it lessens Peeta’s significance a lot. Maybe that’s just me though! ;-)
And the other change that I thought was interesting was how they seemed to lessen the real/not real, “pretend” nature of their romance. For a start, we see Katniss and Peeta grow to be friends themselves, not from any push from Cinna or Haymitch. And whilst it is quite obvious when Katniss kisses Peeta in the cave that she’s doing it for the cameras, she does seem to react to it rather interestingly… And the rest of the stuff, like them talking and cuddling up together, hugging a lot and everything, just seems to be so them, it just feels so natural! I guess not seeing everything through Katniss’ eyes makes it harder to portray what she’s actually thinking, and how she’s justifying it all, but I did wonder at them missing out little things like Peeta saying to Katniss that they’re pretending to be in love, and I think they could have made it more obvious their little romance was for the cameras if they’d wanted to. Instead, it just felt like Katniss really was falling for Peeta and Peeta obviously was already very much in love with Katniss! And I know that happens in the book anyway, but so much is clouded at this point by Katniss “pretending” for the cameras, which I just didn’t feel came across in the film.
And I know at the end Haymitch does tell Katniss that she has to go along with the plan that she and Peeta were just so much in love that she couldn’t bear to lose him, but it didn’t feel that significant. Like it was obvious she was doing that when she held Peeta’s hand at the interview and at the end, but there wasn’t really any backtracking, explaining they were also “pretending” in the cave scene and everything - or that that wasn’t indeed Katniss’ motivation with berries anyway! And the whole ending was so quick anyway, it was hard to really get a sense that there was any “pretend” nature to their romance that Katniss and Peeta were confused about. And I mean, they can still have some element of the pretend romance in future films. I mean they’ll have to if they follow the story of Snow asking Katniss to convince him she loves Peeta and then their fake engagement. But I just think that they may downplay a lot of the real complexity of it.
Don’t get me wrong, I definitely don’t mean this as a criticism, I just think it’s really interesting that they seem to be focusing so much less on the “pretend” real/not real aspect of their romance at this point. And if this is the case, that they are just showing Katniss as falling for Peeta, but confused about it all, it would make things simpler in future films. I mean, as much as I ADORE the angst and complexities of their messy “pretend” real/not real romance in the books, I do think it would be hard to get across properly in later books. And if things were this fast paced in book one, they really will need all the time they can get in future films! I guess it’s also a way round not seeing things through Katniss’ eyes, instead seeing things the way others would see them.
And I wonder if that’s why they didn’t have any more kisses between Katniss and Peeta - especially in the scene where he fixes her head wound. I guess then, it would be harder to explain Katniss’ confusion in later films if she’d been so willing to kiss Peeta here! The same with her reaction to Peeta after the Games - in them reconciling and her breakdown in the Hovercraft and when she finds out about Peeta’s leg. And maybe why they cut away from Katniss giving an answer to Peeta’s question as to why she is helping him - when it could mean death for them both. Though saying that, it would have been nice to see Katniss trying to come up with some excuse to tell Peeta! LOL! And it’s not really mentioned at the end either, we don’t see Katniss having to break it to Peeta that it wasn’t all real for her, which is another interesting change.
Anyway, it sounds like I’m being critical of all the Katniss/Peeta things, which I’m really not! Though they did simplify things from the book, I think they did a really good job of getting across their epic love story and it was given enough time to make the audience really care about them. Obviously I’m biased as I’m already a huge Katniss/Peeta shipper, but other than me simply wanting more Katniss/Peeta moments (heck, the whole film could have been about them!) the film definitely left my shippy heart happy and I did adore seeing them actually interact on the big screen.
And I think the film stayed true to their characters and romance. The few changes there were I’m really interested to see how they continue in the future films, especially how they will deal with real/not real side of Katniss and Peeta’s relationship now that it seems to have been downplayed, particularly in Catching Fire and with Peeta’s hijacking. And really, considering how paranoid I was that the film would ram up the Katniss/Gale, I couldn’t be any more relieved! The romance there was, was definitely all about Katniss and Peeta! Though obviously, I wouldn’t have minded even more! ;-)
So, then, all in all, I just really, really loved the film! I was hooked like nearly all the way through and moved and emotional and almost numb with the sheer brilliance of it all at the end! I usually like to talk about films after I’ve watched them, but I was properly gushing this time around - even now, if this long LJ post isn’t evident enough! I just thought the overall film was just so fantastic, so amazing and brilliant! Yes, there were little bits that niggled me, but the overall effects is just awe-inspiring and definitely does the book proud! If I hadn’t already read the books, I would have gone out and bought them straight away - I was addicted enough even knowing what happens!
I thought it stuck to the book very well and makes me very hopeful for future films doing the same. The few changes made, for the most part, worked well and were an interesting way to adapt the book to film. They also set up things very well for the future films and gave the first film more of a far reaching message, which I think would make it even more popular with the mainstream audience.
I do think it skimmed over a good load of details that are in the book and it moved at a very fast pace, but this is always a problem of book to film adaptations - and why everyone needs to read the books too! I think considering the time constraints it did a really excellent job of getting across the main messages in the book, the characters and just what they have to go through! I think in a way, the fast pace worked too, because that is how it’s written in the books and it makes it all the more exciting and intense.
My only criticism really is that the beginning bit, back in District 12, especially with the dizzy camera work, was a bit too long. I would have preferred more time focused on other things, like more on the ending, and obviously more on Katniss and Peeta!
But gosh, I just want to go and see the film again, NOW! And re-read the books and, better yet, see the next film, Catching Fire, NOW! I really cannot wait to see how they adapt that book to the big screen, especially all the Katniss and Peeta stuff!