the hunger games review
Last night I went and saw The Hunger Games with Allena, Rhonda and Dez.
First I was school girl excited about seeing this movie. Of all three books, book 1 was always my favorite so I had high hopes for the movie.
My verdict? The movie was really well done and followed the book nicely. It was suspenseful even though I knew exactly what was going to happen! I will probably see it again at some point with Keith.
But I want to talk casting.
First, I am going to be the lone voice of descent when I say that I LOVE Kristen Stewart as Bella in the Twilight Series and I know there has been lots of drama about Jennifer Lawrence being a much better main character in the female title role. Truth? I kinda wanted to not like her and found reasons to at first. She is too tall. She isn’t who I pictured when reading the books. But I will admit, in the end, she got me. I loved her as Katniss Everdeen.
Peeta. Meh. Didn’t like him the books; don’t like him the movie. I am most definitely on Team Gale. Rhonda said it right last night when she said she always felt like Katniss was forcing herself to love Peeta but that her first true love was Gale. Totally.
And Gale?
Um…yeah. Loved him. I can’t wait for movies 2 and 3 where he has a much bigger role.
Overall…I loved it. They captured the Districts. The Capital, and The Hunger Games Arena. It was really a good movie! Go see it. Even if you haven’t read the books. Although the books are teen lit and would take you like 5 minutes to get through. 🙂
Now I am just anxiously awaiting 2013 for movie 2!
“May the odds be ever in your favor.”
Are you Team Peeta or Team Gale?
What Kelly Said 
Agreed. They did a great job with the movie. And I always liked Peeta but it always felt more forced from Katniss I think too.
Also – I am with you that Kristen Stewart actually does a good job at Bella. She is just how the character is. Not saying she can play anything beyond that type of role but I won’t lie that she does Bella well.
She is the new Snow White thriller with Charlize Theron. Kristen Stewart is playing Snow White so it will be interesting to see her in a non-Bella roll. But I think she will be good. I think she is gorgeous and I hope she nails Snow White so she can shut up all her critics. I feel like the media has been so harsh on her.
I agree with you guys. I think Kristen Stewart nailed Bella. I don’t get why people criticize her so much. Did you seen her in The Runaways? I absolutely loved that movie, and she did a really awesome job.
I think Tina is right… She’s definitely type-cast. She’s a shy person and she does well at playing shy characters. I don’t really think she’d be too great at anything else, but she’s good at what she does.
Team Peeta!
Yaay team Gale!! Peeta is too whimpy for Katniss. But I also loved the casting in the movie and I think everyone played their characters brilliantly! Haymitch and Effie were hilarious! I absolutely loved the movie and so did my bf who hadn’t read the books!
That was NOT how I pictured Haymitch at all. I for some reason pictured him being overweight….which now that I think about it doesn’t make much sense since he is an alcoholic.
I loved the movie too. I am team Peeta fo sho. But I always root for the underdog, and Gale had his chance!! He never made his move. You snooze, you lose, player. I do wish they would have cast someone cuter for Peeta though, because if you never read the books, then you’d REALLY be team Gale since they kind of rush through that whole cave scene where she actually does start to have some feelings for him.
I totally agree that in the movie they rushed through the whole cave scene. But since I am team Gale I didn’t mind…hahaha!
Gah, going to see it with my mom tomorrow afternoon and am SO excited!
Team Peeta!
One thing that I loved about the movie was the “behind the scenes” of the actual games. It was stuff that we either found out in later books or never really knew about, but I thought that it was so neat to see!
I got to see it this weekend too. Squee!!
I was Team Peeta in the books, as I think she needed someone to balance her out a little. I think Gale was more of a first love than an enduring love. But he was yummy in the movie!
I re-read the book this weekend and noticed how Katniss was portrayed as shorter and lighter (by 50-100 lbs) than most of the tributes, especially the careers. So it was odd that Clove in the movie was this tiny little thing. Still, I think Jennifer Lawrence got the role right and she pulls off the toughness.
What actor would you pick for Peeta? I can’t figure out. Maybe the guy from OC, Benjamin something?
I don’t know but I definitely think Peeta was miscast. Maybe because she is so tall and he was so short. I just feel like he is weak and having him be so short just reinforced that for me.
I hated Peeta in the books and the movie, I was also always totally Team Gale. It also helps that Liam Hemsworth is such a hottie.
Team Gale all the way!!! (All my friends disagree.)
I actually don’t dislike Kristin as Bella either (maybe in the first one) but later on she kind of fits the character for me. I went into Hunger Games thinking I wouldn’t like Jennifer (I don’t know why, but during the previews I just didn’t think she was who I pictured) but I ended up thinking she did a fabulous job. The scene where she is shaking before going into the arena sold me!
Me too! Her fear in that scene was palpable!
I agree about Katniss forcing herself to love Peeta. I will be interesting to see if they change my mind come the 3rd movie.
Team Peeta! I liked Peeta in the books and thought I wasn’t going to like his portrayal in the movie, but I guess I’m in the minority of people who liked Josh Hutcherson as him. I thought that everyone was cast well, but like you, I pictured Haymitch as being bigger and… sloppier. I thought Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci were standouts and I really liked Seneca and was glad he had a bit of a bigger role than in the book. As great as the Games were (I was on the edge of my seat… and I read the book!) I really loved everything in the Capital leading up to it. I thought it was so well done. OH and when Katniss volunteered? Even though I knew it was coming and saw it in the trailers, I cried. It was so well acted.
Am I the only one that could see something like that movie happening in 100 years or so?
Yes! I agree with everything you said. I hope this isn’t what our world is coming go!! But it isn’t entirely far fetched. Scary!
I feel like I could go on and on about this movie. I am slightly obsessed. I really disagree with you (and Rhonda) on Peeta and Gale. Ha! And want to have like an hour conversation about it…love that we got to see it!!!!
I thought it was great too! I guess I pictured Katniss as much smaller too, but I don’t think it affected the movie as a whole. TEAM GALE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Allena’s just mad because Peeta wasn’t as hot. 🙂 But, seriously, I felt like Peeta was just so weak while I was reading the book – she was always taking care of him. Plus, I stand by my statement that she was forced to love him by the situation they were in together. Gale was her true love. 🙂 Had a great time and can’t wait for the next one!!
YAY Rhonda!! You and I are definitely on the same page with everything!
Oh and I was always Team Gale before the movie but AFTER seeing Liam Hemsworth as Gale he even hotter than I could have imagined.
I’ve heard some people say they enjoyed the movie more than the book? I couldn’t believe it was possible! However, I have not experienced either, so maybe one of these days I’ll see for myself…
Ooo I love your review!
Sadly I have not seen the movie yet, I’m dying over here to see it!
I also loved Gale, and thought the same thing..that Katniss was kind of trying to force herself to love Peeta.