Well, I just got back from the movies. If you can't tell by the title, I saw The Hunger Games. So...I guess I'll review it for my first review! I hope to be releasing more reviews in the future, so I hope you choose to keep reading!
To start, I should get a few things clear. I have NOT read the books, or even the plot summaries. I went into the movie knowing only that it's based on the first book of a trilogy, the basic set-up, and the fact that it's very popular among teens. In fact, I went to the 12:30 showing in an attempt to see it without kids...there were three buses filled with middle school children already there. Regardless, I sat down to see what the fuss was all about. And...I liked it. It was a pretty good movie. Now, I'm sure you fans are screaming at your computers, thinking I'm an awful person for thinking it was less then perfect, but please, hear me out.
First, a quick summery. After a great Civil War was ended, the 12 districts that rebelled are forced to give two children, a boy and a girl aged 12 to 18, as tribute, to partake in The Hunger Games, a gladiatorial like contest where only one child stands in the end. While the twelve districts live in fear of these bloody games, the capitol loves them, they are the highlight of the year, and everyone watches them. It's very much a gladiator movie...set in the future and involving kids.
To start, I'll talk about what I like. The story and set-up is brilliant. I can honestly see that happening in the future, unless something happened. The casting was excellent. Every character was believable and tangible. ...and, in the case of the fashion guy...creepy. Again, I can't tell you if the characters followed the book, but for a movie, they were great. The sets and designs were great, too. They used a lot of actual sets, which I love, and the CGI didn't look that bad. It's a long movie, about two and a half hours long, but it's mostly put to good use, having a lot of story and character development for the main cast. The writing is top-notch, as is the ending. It gives a sense of defiance that I love, and it makes you excited for the inevitable sequel.
That being said...the camera work can be AWFUL at times. It shakes constantly, and the fight scenes are WAY to close up and hectic. It was probably a choice to do it that way...but, in my opinion, it was the wrong choice. And, the movie does seem to drag at times...not often, but at times. Also, there are a few things I don't understand. Why does everybody keep giving the Boy Scout salute? Seriously, the three finger thing they do...why? Was it a sign of defiance? A demented peace sign? I'm sure it's explained in the book...but I never read the book. Another thing...why even have the Hunger Games? They say it's as a tribute thing...but why? It seems to me that if you take children as tribute, you should hold them forever. You letting them kill each other shows your power how exactly? And lastly...how does the sponsorship thing work? They say that if you have more sponsors you have a greater chance of winning...but how? It seemed to me that they all had an equal chance. Again, I'm sure the books explained all this...but I haven't read the books. In my opinion, a movie should be able to stand on it's own, without having to read any books first. That's why some books just shouldn't be adapted to film, it wouldn't work.
But, this movie DOES work. Despite those faults, The Hunger Games is a great film, and I can't wait to see the rest of them. I highly recommend seeing this movie.
Word of Warning: This movie is PG-13 and deserves it. It isn't a blood bath, but there is a lot of death, all teenagers. But the movie is more about survival then death. There is only a handful of minor curses, and the most sexual thing is a chaste kiss. So, if this bothers you, or you think it would bother your children, you have been warned.
Final Verdict: 9/10
I am The R2 Dude, and this is The R2 View!
