The Hunger Games

[chiquita]

I attended a screening tonight. It's outstanding! I haven't read the books, but someone I was with has, and she didn't seem to have any complaints either.

I don't know about Finnick in the book, but a friend and I agreed the actor is good looking, and he has tons of charisma.

I may have to read the books just so I don't have to wait a year to find out what happens next.

[Ripley]

TTMR & I saw this today, and we both loved it. The performances were right on the mark, and the movie kept close enough to the book without being pedantic about including every little detail.

[Spinderella]

I just went and saw it, too. It was fantastic. Amazing, subtle effects and details and the actors were all perfect.

There have been people (comic critics) that pan some of the actors/characters, but I think that playing in this particular film, you're all sort of a caricature except for the main characters. I haven't read the books either, but I knew what was coming next in some parts just due to the well-played smugness and need to make everyone suffer by Donald Sutherland (President Snow).

I wanted there to be some sort of tease at the end of the credits like they do with Marvel's films, but I know that was just me being hopeful. This is one that I'd like to go see again especially since there is a lot less bloodshed from small children.

[Deleted]

I just got back from seeing this, and it was spectacular. One of the greatest movies I've ever seen.

Absolutely everything was spot on. Everything.* Effie, the happenings in the districts (especially District 11, and seeing Rue and Thresh's families), the Hunger Games itself, the other tributes (Johanna in particular; her (spoiler) F-bomb at her interview with Caesar was hilarious )...my God was this amazing.

I thought JLaw was decent in the first, but boy did she bring her A-game in this one. She most likely won't win, since that would be two in a row, but I'd place bets she'll get nominated for another Oscar. And if she isn't, then there's something wrong.

*Okay, so I said everything...I actually meant everything minus one thing: Mags. Mags in the book was a total smart-ass, and she most certainly did talk. The movie makes it seem like she's an Avox. But this is a nitpick. The film is pretty much perfection.

[Spinderella]

I started to read up more about the entire Hunger Games characters and background details (I know, just read the book already!) and I thought the same thing about Mags! When I learned about Avoxes, I wondered if that was what happened to her. Glad to know it was just a movie change-up.

There is one scene that seemed to be a lot like JLaw in the film: When she'd doing her interview with Caesar, her caddy and cheeky self comes through.

[kostgard]

The moment in the film that really said "Jennifer Lawrence, not Katniss" was the look in her face in the elevator when Johanna stripped. It was hilarious, but it was pure JLaw.

Man, what a difference a director makes. I thought this one was miles above the first one. And I think everyone's performance was better - I mean, Liam is in no danger of ever having an Oscar handed to him, but even he was better. I've seen some people complain about Josh's performance, but I think he does fine with what he's given. While I like Peeta in the books, I never found him the most well-drawn character, so I don't know how much he has to go on anyway. I do wish they had explored the painting/his connection with the morphling in that regard a little better.

I liked that they addressed Snow's non-healing mouth sore thing in a creative/creepy way, but I wonder if it confused non-book-readers.

[Babycakes]

Fantastic movie. As good as the book, and covered all the major plot points. Although, I do feel like it was a series of scenes, and not a fluid movie, if that makes any sense. It wasn't disjointed, but the first half felt really patchy. I thought everyone was great. JLaw owned the movie, of course. She nailed it. I thought this was Oscar level acting. She captured all the personality nuances of Katniss. The only part that I felt that she was acting, was when she had the flashback to her first kill of Marvel, and the waking screaming from a nightmare. Those screams felt a little forced/unnatural. But the best scenes IMO? When she was freaking out after Peeta was electrocuted. She looked like she was genuinely shaking from fear and relief. Also the look on her face when she heard she was going back into the Hunger Games. I don't know what she pulls from to capture those moments, but they are amazing. I always look for the small moments/details. It's all in the details. And Christ Almighty, that speech about Thresh and Rue. I was a mess. Huge, hot tears rolling down my face.

I want to see it again, maybe in IMAX. Is it worth the upcharge to see it in IMAX?

[Deleted]

I cried too. All through the movie, they really nailed the emotional scenes this time. I liked the first movie but by the next day, it was out of my mind. We saw this yesterday and it is still with me. I am really ready for Mockingjay 1 and 2, although I have no idea how they are going to film some of the scenes.

And I must say, Sam Chafin stole this movie. From his first scene, he owned Finnick, who is one of my favorite characters. The two male leads have been rather bland, but he is magnetic. Jena Malone was excellent too. I think that they have made brilliant casting decisions. Every actor has been on point - Woody, PSH, Stanley Tucci, Lenny, Elizabeth Banks...I think they might be better than Harry Potter.

[kostgard]

And I must say, Sam Chafin stole this movie. From his first scene, he owned Finnick, who is one of my favorite characters. The two male leads have been rather bland, but he is magnetic.

Agree, and I think that this actually make sense in terms of the characters. Spoiler:I liked that in the books none of the guys were the perfect teen dream guy, but Finnick comes the closest. Gale is the best match for Katniss on paper - good-looking, hunts like her and similar background - but he's really too angry and obsessed with fighting/getting revenge on the Capitol. Peeta is not as good-looking as Gale, and he's not the born survivor/fighter Katniss is and always needs to be rescued, but he's the one who gives her the closest to unconditional love and they share their PTSD-causing experiences in the arena. Finnick is the handsome/strong/funny/clever teen dream, but he's madly in love with poor, crazy Annie and therefore not a potential match for Katniss.

One thing I wish they had handled a little better with Finnick was Spoiler: When Katniss first meets him, she snarks about people paying for the pleasure of his company. I can't remember if that came directly from the books or not, but I seem to remember in the books that people believed Finnick was a playboy and a heartbreaker only. That he was hot, he knew it, and used his looks to bang a lot of people. I wish they had played that up a bit more because it is pretty heartbreaking when it is revealed that he isn't just a playboy, but that Snow basically sold him into prostitution, and had done so with other victors too. Katniss's comment in the movie made it sound like she already knew he had sex for money. Maybe she was thinking that he was more of a kept man, and didn't realize that it was all against his will. But I thought the whole "people pay me in secrets" came later.

[Deleted]

ITA. I like that Peeta is the artistic, creative one while Katniss is the badass hunter, but I don't know if that has really translated onscreen. Finnick has so many different layers and I think Chafin nailed them. Mockingjay is going to be BRUTAL.