[Angelus Errare]

I was finally convinced to watch this (I have read the books) I must say.

This movie was dumb as shit, I felt like leaving a few times during the movie. Hell the only reason I stayed is my friend paid for the movie and she was bitching that if I left there would be no sleep for me. This movie did nothing for me, the only time I even felt a ping of emotion of any kind was when Rue died, only because the child actress looked so cute =3 and reminded me of my niece.

The fact people all over the interwebs were being racist about her is hilarious though to the point I hope they all die of poisoning.

I liked Battle Royale better.

[blind51de]

One interesting silver lining I've only just found out about is that Battle Royale got a wide home release out of this. I guess they figured that after seeing Hunger Games nobody would care as much about its content.

Too bad BR2 is bundled in with it, what a piece of crap that was.

[Cipherr]

Im late but I saw this today along with Avengers. Thats a lot of time in the theater, goddamn.


Anyway I enjoyed this movie for the most part. It should have been about 20 minutes shorter though. It was MUCH more of a chick flick than I thought. The ads for this mislead the hell out of me. Corny shaky cam, snooze-worthy teeny love nonsense. Ghastly.

But everything else was great. I was really intrigued by the idea of how the society worked, the games themselves, and the politics behind it. Rue was criminally underused though, what the fuck. Kid should have had way more screen time, never mind them killing her off like that. In any case, I would watch a sequel, and maybe next time wouldn't wait until I had an unexpected day off of work to do so.

[Mike Works]

So I just saw this last night. I had only read the first chapter of the first book (and then put it down because it wasn't keeping my interest) going in, and I'm kind of lukewarm on it.

Call me a cynical writer, but I was just mentally checklisting off everything the author/screenwriter was introducing for the sake of the teenage girl audience:

- love triangle with two handsome guys who both want the female protagonist
- uncomfortable waxing/beauty probing
- going down the red carpet while stylists comment on how good she looks
- wearing a special dress and showing it off
- going on a talkshow and having everyone like you
- having one of your love interests protect and care for you while you sleep

and a half dozen other things

I was also really put off by the shaky cam introduced in the opening scene (where there wasn't even any action) to the point where I was feeling dizzy in the theatre.

On the plus side, I really liked the brutality the moment the games started. But there are other aspects which just rubbed me wrong. Why did that district where the little black girl came from revolt? Why now? They've been doing this for 75 years; surely some other cute little girl died before?

Anyway, it was okay - definitely B/B+ territory - but it's too bad that the story is centered around appeasing the Twilight audience.

[AniHawk]

So I just saw this last night. I had only read the first chapter of the first book (and then put it down because it wasn't keeping my interest) going in, and I'm kind of lukewarm on it. Call me a cynical writer, but I was just mentally checklisting off everything the author/screenwriter was introducing for the sake of the teenage girl audience: - love triangle with two handsome guys who both want the female protagonist - uncomfortable waxing/beauty probing - going down the red carpet while stylists comment on how good she looks - wearing a special dress and showing it off - going on a talkshow and having everyone like you - having one of your love interests protect and care for you while you sleep and a half dozen other things I was also really put off by the shaky cam introduced in the opening scene (where there wasn't even any action) to the point where I was feeling dizzy in the theatre. On the plus side, I really liked the brutality the moment the games started. But there are other aspects which just rubbed me wrong. Why did that district where the little black girl came from revolt? Why now? They've been doing this for 75 years; surely some other cute little girl died before? Anyway, it was okay - definitely B/B+ territory - but it's too bad that the story is centered around appeasing the Twilight audience.

in the book, she spends a lot of time hating the fact that she's being made to look pretty, to having to make an impression, and all that. it gets lost on screen. also, the book treats the death of rue with a lot more subtlety. her sponsors give her some bread one night when she was hungry, at least, that's what she assumes.

the book stays right in katniss's head, so you never see outside her perspective. i felt the games lost a lot of the impact by switching out to donald sutherland and other scenes outside the games, although the commentator aspect worked well at least.

the audience in my theater cheered when cato died. that was pretty much not the point.

[Trent Strong]

This entire movie is shot like a Bourne Identity fight scene. Constant, bizarre cuts and close ups, and shaky cam. It's nauseating. I had to quit watching half way through. This might be the worst movie I've ever seen.

[Acerac]

This entire movie is shot like a Bourne Identity fight scene. Constant, bizarre cuts and close ups, and shaky cam. It's nauseating. I had to quit watching half way through. This might be the worst movie I've ever seen.

The worst movie you've ever seen?

I just watched the film myself and it obviously wasn't the greatest movie ever, but the hyperbole in this thread is ridiculous.

[Tugatrix]

This entire movie is shot like a Bourne Identity fight scene. Constant, bizarre cuts and close ups, and shaky cam. It's nauseating. I had to quit watching half way through. This might be the worst movie I've ever seen.

Bourne Identity? actually that one has no shacky cam at all

[fizzelopeguss]

This film was bloody awful.

[bkfount]

This entire movie is shot like a Bourne Identity fight scene. Constant, bizarre cuts and close ups, and shaky cam. It's nauseating. I had to quit watching half way through. This might be the worst movie I've ever seen.

I never got why they're obviously shooting around the violence when the book apparently has plenty of it.

It's not the worst movie, just one that was conservatively made for a certain audience.

[alex chilton]

so that guy was a master of make up because.... he's worked in a bakery? huh?

[Lamel]

Damn GAF hate is strong. It wasn't amazing, but it was still good and pretty entertaining.

Not "shit".

[Escape Goat]

Finally watched it. It was good but it felt like it was only half a movie. Themes aren't really explored all that much and nothing is resolved. The Games were pretty weak and it seems like Katniss is only mildly involved in. Loved the crazy Fifth Element type costuming and general feel of this alternate world/future. And I really like Jennifer Lawrence so it wasnt all bad.

[sky]

Themes aren't really explored all that much and nothing is resolved.

That bothered me too. The games still carry on, people still suffer in their crappy districts... it's great that Catniss made it, but otherwise who cares?
I didn't hate the movie though... it was somewhat interesting, just strange.

I actually read the book after seeing it, as I was curious to what differences there might be. But it was 95% identical, apart from some more details/side-stories, and a much longer ending.

[NomarTyme]

I loved this movie. Will watch it in theater next time.

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Just finished watching it. I'd give it a 7.5/10. There were relationship building moments from the books that were excised here, which caused events towards the end of the movie to be more hollow than they should have being. Thinking about it, they could have put some, not all of those scenes in to flesh that stuff out. I mean, the credits for this seem to go on forever. Speed them up and you could pepper in 5 more minutes for character development. But there's nothing that can be done about that now.

Just like the book, I wished there were more scenes with Haymitch and Effie. I could watch Woody and Elizabeth banter all day as those characters. They were a lot of fun and a good counterbalance to the serious stuff needed out of everyone else. Stanley Tucci? you da man. Gobble up all that scenery. Props to Lenny Kravitz for making the most out of his limited time. Jennifer was great as always. She was the smart choice for Katniss and the scene where she confronts Peeta about his love for her and pins him up against the wall is proof that. This is handled far better in the movie than the book.

A lot of the budget went into the costuming, world building and the game makers lair. I can forgive them for the "girl on fire" entrance and a green screen shot at the end that felt like it was tacked on in a rush. Those are the only bits that looked questionable to me.

I'm eager to see how Francis Lawrence handles the elements at play in "Catching Fire" for the follow up.

[bangladesh]

My friends dragged me into watching this. And boy was it a drag. If this film impresses anyone over the age of 5 I will be speechless.

[woolley]

I watched the movie this week and I quite enjoyed it. I knew nothing about the Hunger Games before I watched the movie and I wasn't expecting the kind of world it was set in at all. The movie felt like there were pieces missing in places with the relationships of people and some events that might've happened.

It made me want to read the books so that I can get more detail about everything and I'm looking forward to the next movie in the series.

[Evolved1]

Finally watched this... didn't really like it. Honestly I thought it sucked pretty hard.

I've already seen The Running Man and this movie was basically that, but neck deep in pre-teen girl drama...

Favorite part of the movie was Elizabeth Banks. I wasn't especially fond of the lead... guess she was alright, but no one I'll remember in a couple weeks. Also, I really do not like Lenny Kravitz so every scene with him was gross.

[TheDanger]

Certainly not a masterpiece, but I enjoyed it.

[giga]

Didn't connect with this at all. Felt like it was targeting the teenage audience--which is understandable.

[demon]

Just finished it. So it's basically Lord of the Flies meets The Truman Show? I thought it was decent. Really dragged during some parts but the concept was fun and it was done adequately I suppose. It did feel kind of unresolved at the end, though.

[Evolved1]

She was fun.

[demon]

Damn I had no idea that was her.

[MasterOfPastures]

She was fun.

[Puddles]

The studio really dropped the ball by not casting Christopher Walken as President Snow.

[bkfount]

Damn I had no idea that was her.

neither did I until the credits. She caked on the makeup and accent.

[Dicer]

Wow, what a bunch of cynical haters in every movie thread on here I swear, I thought the movie was great...but to each his/her own I guess.

[demon]

This has probably been addressed in this thread already but I'm going to ask anyway- what the hell were those creatures at the end, and where did they come from? I assume some kind of genetically modified pig-wolf hybrid demon thing? And how were they supposed to have materialized out of the ground? Am I thinking too hard about it?

[Escape Goat]

Wow, what a bunch of cynical haters in every movie thread on here I swear, I thought the movie was great...but to each his/her own I guess.

[Evolved1]

This has probably been addressed in this thread already but I'm going to ask anyway- what the hell were those creatures at the end, and where did they come from? I assume some kind of genetically modified pig-wolf hybrid demon thing? And how were they supposed to have materialized out of the ground? Am I thinking too hard about it?

I guess you weren't playing close attention? It was some kind of technology... like holodeck or some shit... they conjured up all sorts of crap during the movie. Remember the fire storm? Or how the changed day to night? And gift packages? All of that was "programed".

[gurudyne]

Wow, what a bunch of cynical haters in every movie thread on here I swear, I thought the movie was great...but to each his/her own I guess.

Yeah, I don't get it either. Movie was better than I was expecting.

[Escape Goat]

I guess you weren't playing close attention? It was some kind of technology... like holodeck or some shit... they conjured up all sorts of crap during the movie. Remember the fire storm? Or how the changed day to night? And gift packages? All of that was "programed".

What was the point of the "fire will not hurt you" and "Girl on fire" and then they create simulated fire and shes batshit scared and getting third degree burns?

[Puddles]

Alright, finally watched it.

The movie wasn't that long, so to me it was a pretty gaping flaw that they didn't spend any time developing the other contestants. This wouldn't have taken much time at all, and they had a great opportunity to do it during the training, scoring, and interview scenes. All they would have needed to do was make sure the audience knew the names and a few details about some of the other contestants. They only did this with Rue and with the girl from District 1, but there were 4-5 other Tributes who should have been developed a bit.

[delta25]

I'm defiantly a huge fan now thanks to the movie, just started reading the books too.

Got myself a Mockingjay pin as well.

[Evolved1]

What was the point of the "fire will not hurt you" and "Girl on fire" and then they create simulated fire and shes batshit scared and getting third degree burns?

I guess it wasn't real fire that she was wearing? It was a different effect? Just cosmetic? I don't know. I didn't read the books or anything... just watched the movie.

To me fashion fire and holodeck were separate things...

[.GqueB.]

BR has more emotional impact in any one of the 20 or so onscreen deaths then the entire HG put together. Frankly the deaths/fights in HG were about as impactful as Anakin skywalker at 7 shooting up Battle Droids (and that's focusing on the good parts of the movie).

Finally JUST watched this film and I would have to disagree. I will say that some of the deaths had some emotional impact but a vast majority of them were just kids dying on screen.

Still not sure which one I prefer though. I liked the fact that BR focused on multiple stories and they also delved into what it was like for the game makers. HG was too much watching Katniss do nothing. It didn't help that the movie felt completely handcuffed by the book. It was such a faithful adaptation that it ended up being rather hom hum in the end because I never felt like I was seeing the directors vision.

BR has the edge in some aspects but I also found it a bit challenging to follow. Who loved who and who had a crush on which and who was where. Like I said, I appreciated that it wasn't all focused on one person but that's also why I found it all so confusing. The lead up the game was weak as well. I didn't really care about any of those kids yet throughout the film, I was constantly being told that I should. They tried to jam too much emotion into single scenes and it just didn't work. Part of me feels like if there were less violence, the movie wouldn't be as strong overall. The situation felt more real as a result of how bloody it was. In the HG, it always kind of felt like they were playing paintball.

I guess it wasn't real fire that she was wearing? It was a different effect? Just cosmetic? I don't know. I didn't read the books or anything... just watched the movie. To me fashion fire and holodeck were separate things...

They were. The fire in the game was real. The fire on her dress was created by Lenny Kravitz.

[demon]

I guess you weren't playing close attention? It was some kind of technology... like holodeck or some shit... they conjured up all sorts of crap during the movie. Remember the fire storm? Or how the changed day to night? And gift packages? All of that was "programed".

Holograms don't explain something that physically interact with the people. Were the creatures mechanical? Biological?

[Tigel]

I guess it wasn't real fire that she was wearing? It was a different effect? Just cosmetic? I don't know. I didn't read the books or anything... just watched the movie. To me fashion fire and holodeck were separate things...

Correct, it was "cosmetic" fire. They explain it in the book, but I don't remember if they say anyting about it in the movie...

[Santiako]

Holograms don't explain something that physically interact with the people. Were the creatures mechanical? Biological?

Biological, they are genetically created mutants.

[Escape Goat]

I guess it wasn't real fire that she was wearing? It was a different effect? Just cosmetic? I don't know. I didn't read the books or anything... just watched the movie. To me fashion fire and holodeck were separate things...

Well, I get that the flames weren't real. But I'm talking about the movie dealing with subtext and exploring themes rather than throwing out dialogue for no real reason and creating fancy SFX shots for their own sake.

[.GqueB.]

Well, I get that the flames weren't real. But I'm talking about the movie dealing with subtext and exploring themes rather than throwing out dialogue for no real reason and creating fancy SFX shots for their own sake.

Wait what?

[Killthee]

This has probably been addressed in this thread already but I'm going to ask anyway- what the hell were those creatures at the end, and where did they come from? I assume some kind of genetically modified pig-wolf hybrid demon thing? And how were they supposed to have materialized out of the ground? Am I thinking too hard about it?

In the book the animals used by the capital are supposed to be genetically engineered mutants called mutts for short. The dogs are supposed to be part wolf and part human. They look like wolfs for the most part, but they're able to balance on their hind legs and their eyes were engineered to resemble the eyes of each of the dead tributes.

I don't think they materialize out of the air in the book, they use tubes to get them in/out of the arena iirc. In the movie it looks like they're able to just teleport stuff into the arena.

Well, I get that the flames weren't real. But I'm talking about the movie dealing with subtext and exploring themes rather than throwing out dialogue for no real reason and creating fancy SFX shots for their own sake.

I felt like the movie just glossed over her arrival/entrance into the capitol and the importance of playing to the public compared to the book. In the book they make it clear early on that the pageant is important cause the bigger splash you make, the more favor you'll win with the public/gamemakers. For District 12, they usually get shitty stylist and boring coal themed costumes so her stylist comes up with the plan to set her on fire and pushes the moniker of "the girl on fire" as a marketing campaign.

In the second book Katniss' behavior in the first book (taking her sisters place in the games, wearing the mockingjay pin, whistling rues song when she dies and giving out the three finger salute, threatening suicide with Peeta at the end when the rules are changed) has made her in to a symbol against the capitol and "the girl on fire" persona is heavily pushed by the rebels propaganda campaign.

[Cake Boss]

Just saw this. Knew nothing about it going in.

I liked it way started and got me really interested into the world, the setting and the society. Then halfway through they had to force a relationship which after finishing the movie still dont know if its genuine or was it just to get audiences. The ending went on way too long plus surprised how crappy the CG was for a bigger budget movie. I came in hoping it had the gritty feel of Children of Men but came away it felt like Twilight.

[Moaradin]

Watched it a couple months ago without knowing about the books. I thought it had a great concept but it seemed like something that would benefit with a R rating. Maybe if it was more gritty and dark, it would have been more believable.

Is the book like this?

[Neki]

Glad I wasn't the only one who was getting nauseous from the camera work. Haven't been that sick since Cloverfield, lol. Movie was alright besides me dying half way through though.

[Cipherr]

Just saw this. Knew nothing about it going in. I liked it way started and got me really interested into the world, the setting and the society. Then halfway through they had to force a relationship which after finishing the movie still dont know if its genuine or was it just to get audiences. The ending went on way too long plus surprised how crappy the CG was for a bigger budget movie. I came in hoping it had the gritty feel of Children of Men but came away it felt like Twilight.

Yep I pretty much felt the same. Really liked the setting and the first half. Right about the time that they decided to start the tenny love crap though it got boring. And stayed boring for a good while, and only mildly recovered at the end of the movie.

But overall I still liked it, and definitely would like to see what happens next, especially if that book spoilered text above about the second book is true. Sounds like it would focus more on the stuff I cared about.

[jonnyp]

I was finally convinced to watch this (I have read the books) I must say. This movie was dumb as shit, I felt like leaving a few times during the movie. Hell the only reason I stayed is my friend paid for the movie and she was bitching that if I left there would be no sleep for me. This movie did nothing for me, the only time I even felt a ping of emotion of any kind was when Rue died, only because the child actress looked so cute =3 and reminded me of my niece. The fact people all over the interwebs were being racist about her is hilarious though to the point I hope they all die of poisoning. I liked Battle Royale better.

Agree with everything you wrote, although I don't think BR is good either.

[Ithil]

Probably the folks literally saying this is "the worst movie they have ever seen".

[Sarcasm]

Movie wise BR was worse. Hunger Games slightly better.

Book wise I really enjoyed HG over BR...maybe cause to me it felt more pointless in BR.