Then I had an idea. I just went to see The Hunger Games today (a movie adaptation of the first of a series of books by Suzanne Collins) so how about I write about that then?
I can't promise that there will not be any spoilers for anyone who has not seen it or read the books but I will try.
First off, I would seriously urge you to read the books as they are awesome (fact ;P).
The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian future where North America is split into 12 districts. In punishment for a rebellion that happened years ago and to keep the districts downtrodden, every year each district is forced to send one boy and one girl to participate in the Hunger Games as "tributes". Only one ever makes it out. This is the 74th annual hunger games and Katniss' younger sister, Primrose, is chosen as the female tribute from District 12. Katniss volunteers herself to save her sister's life.
Whenever I watch a movie that was once a book I am always saying to myself "that's different", "that didn't happen in the book", etc and for that reason I cannot watch the Harry Potter films (I think I made it up to the third one and gave up) but I enjoyed this film. Of course, there were nits to pick but that will always happen in an adaptation. You just can't fit everything into a moderate length film without cutting some things, otherwise you would be sitting in the cinema all day! I felt this adaptation was well handled and even those that have not read the books could still enjoy it (unless they are the film critic in the Scotsman it seems...).
Some points that I feel could have been done better:
- President Snow should have looked more evil. Full white beard? Seriously? He looked like someone's uncle or grandad.
- More of the Valley song would have been nice but it's not a deal breaker.
- More of Rue's story. As an important character in Katniss' story we had to get more idea of her as a person and I just don't think that came across very well in this film.
- Too much shaky cam: See things done well, below.
- Slightly slow in places, may have been because I knew what was going to happen as have read books.
Things done well:
- When the hunger games begin the use of the shaky, handheld cam was an excellent way to show the frantic pace of the beginning but seemed over used later on.
- Peeta's first interview.
- Fire forest scene.
- Control room. Excellent add on from the books.
Of course there are more things that I could add to these lists (especially the could do better one...) but I feel this is long enough already.
TL:DR? Good film, bit slow in places, would recommend. 4/5.
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