The Hunger Games Film - My Thoughts and Comparisons to the Books

[silverducks]

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

Comments

GAH - Just too many feelings!!

[silverducks]

Oh I know! I’m so excited for just how well the film has done. And I know a lot of that was because the books were well known, but it seems to have gotten a really good response from critics too. And the fans all seem to love it, which is great - and thoroughly deserved! It’ll be really interesting to see how much more money it makes now. I think it’ll keep on bringing it in for weeks, as it’s definitely one of those films I think a lot of people will want to see again and again! I know I do! There was just so much going on that even though I’ve read the books, I still reallllly want to see the film again! And I bet word of mouth will help make it even more successful - once people get over the fact that no, it’s not just another teen sensation like Twilight. And I read in one article that over half of the audience was actually over the age of 25, so it shows it’s not just a teen thing.

And the fact that they’re already proposing release dates for Catching Fire is brilliant! I mean, I think they would have done the whole series anyway, but the fact that it’s just been such a blockbuster already will definitely make things happen so much quicker! And pretty much guarantees a nice big budget and all the actors staying on board. And as much as I long to see Catching Fire, I don’t mind waiting longer for the sake of them not rushing it! I think a lot of care will still need to be taken with the adaptation, as a lot does happen! Least we know the actors are all very much up to scratch, and I’m not quite as paranoid about the Katniss/Gale thing any more. They just set up Peeta/Katniss so well to make it too Katniss/Gale now.

And I’m still trying to process my own feelings too - even after such a long LJ post. I just have sooooo many feelings on so many aspects of the film. It was just so amazingly well done and, other than the longish beginning and odd camera work there, I really can’t think of anything really to say against it - except that they didn’t immediately follow it with Catching Fire!

And I agree with all the points you raised. And you know, I never thought before that Katniss’ reaction with the knife was because Haymitch had hurt Peeta. That idea makes my shippy heart very happy! And YES at Peeta’s guilt at just tossing the bread - you’re right, it’s such a brilliant Peeta thing and it really does make me love him and Peeta/Katniss even more! And GAH at the added bit in the cave where he looks after her - soooooo much chemistry and sooooo moving! It’s like all he really cares about - looking after Katniss, and the fact that she not only let him, but then spent a lot of the rest of the film cuddling up to him and hugging him, is very telling. We so needed to see a kiss there though - I was so sad when they just cut away!

And YES!!! Like ALL THE EMOTIONS with Katniss and Peeta! I mean, they were so, so epic and so well portrayed from the book! And even though we didn’t get as much as them as I’d like, they were so, so amazingly shown! I’m sure they definitely got all the non book fans shipping them too! And I can’t wait to see how they develop them in the future films, especially with the whole “pretend” nature of their romance downplayed imo.

I mean, I was paranoid they’d brush over the Katniss/Peeta elements, but they actually had a lot of screen time in comparison with other things, and so, so many subtle moments, like all the hand holding and glances and GAH! Just everything! If I hadn’t had been a die hard shipper already, this film totally would have turned me into one. As it is, I don’t think it’s possible that I could actually ship them any more than I do! And ok, yes, it’s a bit shippy of me, but I was totally going to judge the film on how well they did the Katniss/Peeta bits - I just knew I wouldn’t be able to help it! And the fact that I love the film so, so much is definitely telling then of how well they did do the Peeta/Katniss bits.

And to end yet more incoherent gushing from me, YES! The film was amazing and such a rewarding adaptation of the book. You can tell they really took the time and effort to really bring the book to life! And I’m soooo glad it all paid off with how successful the film already is! And it’s only been out 3 days!

Re: GAH - Just too many feelings!!

[hawthornhedge]

You know, for me, I actually found Peeta's swabbing on the medicine to be so much more effective in shippiness than the kiss. I think that it was because, to me, Katniss was allowing Peeta to care for her as well whereas the kiss that we saw was likely for the sponsors (or, at least, that's how I understood it). And I just loved the huge amount of progress that they had made from Katniss' initial awkward silence on the train, her suspicion on the chariot, and her beating on him after his interview.

I really hope that they keep the focus on the K/P relationship in Catching Fire-I think that they kind of have to in order to establish the Katniss' state at the end of CF/beginning of MJ (not sure how spoilery to get in this post?). In a slightly mean sort of way, I really hope that my audience was at least a little representative because they just laughed at poor Gale during his reaction shots when Katniss and Peeta kissed. I am fairly sure that that was probably not the directorial intent!

Re: GAH - Just too many feelings!!

[silverducks]

Oh definitely! Peeta caring for her like that, and Katniss actually letting him, was such a squeeeeee worthy moment. I just wanted it to then end in a kiss! The one which makes her feel that thing! LOL! But as much as I think the kiss they did share was for the cameras initially, there definitely did seem to be so much more there!!

And as I said in my main post, I wonder if they kept the kissing to a minimum because they were trying to play down the real/not real aspect of their romance and more kisses would either need more explanation that it is "pretend" or make people think she likes him much more than she's meant to be aware of at this point. I think toning it down here will make it easier to explain in future films too, when it'll get even harder to explain what's going on in Katniss' head on the big screen.

And I was just thinking last night (when I should have been sleeping! LOL!) just how close they do grow together in the Games. I mean, she can barely speak to him on the train - and I think her flashbacks to the bread story show it's a lot more than just her fears at becoming a tribute! Then, I love how she initially pulls her hand away from Peeta's during the chariot ride - recoiling from his touch with just a bit too much passion if you ask me! And then they grow to be friends and in the Games themselves they're just so close! Yes, some is for the cameras, but golly, she lets him take care of her! She cuddles up to him in her sleep, they hold hands and they hug - a lot! And her reaction when she thought he'd nearly died with the berries! GOSH!

I mean, talk about a contrast! I love that - just how much she's allowed herself to grow close to him, seeking his comfort and making herself vulnerable. I mean, it's even more apparent in Catching Fire on the Victory Tour (they better had include that) but you can see the start of it all here! And considering how fast paced the film is, they really do devote a nice chunk of time to them! Not that I would have minded more of course! ;-)

And poor Gale! Your audience must really have been all Katniss/Peeta fans! I felt sorry for Gale here, I mean, poor guy, not only is he fearing for her life and there's nothing he can do (he must feel so, so powerless!) but here she is smooching up to this new guy he's barely heard of! Poor Gale! And I definitely wondered what his reaction would be when I was reading it (especially to that kiss in the Quarter Quell!) so I’m glad they showed it us. And, as I said in my main post, the fact that Gale does look so crushed shows he doesn’t think it’s all pretend!

I am still a bit worried about Catching Fire though - they could up the Katniss/Gale a lot more here, especially if some things weren’t explained… But then, if they also don’t explain more on the real/not real side of Katniss/Peeta, they could be in danger of just making Katniss seem very weak and indecisive. And as you say, we need a certain amount of progression for the end of Catching Fire to make sense - heck, even her determination to save Peeta in the Quarter Quell! I hope they get the balance right and I’m hoping that the BIG focus on Katniss/Peeta in the first film (and hopefully the popular opinion) will make them get the focus on the right side!