The Hunger Games - Part 1

[CB Fan]

They did a good job, better than alot of book to movie apadptions. I just had a few problems: like the movie still felt rushed/choppy at times even with a 2hr runtime, that shakey camera was horrible, and Woody Harleson just isn't Haymitch to me (I nearly face palmed) I never really understood that casting but had hoped he would do well. Everything else was pretty darn good can't wait for the sequel.

 

[Ultimatehero]

I liked it. A lot darker than I thought it was going to be. I'm disappointed that they deleted the whole...

Spoiler

zombified servants aspect from the script, wondering if that was just dropped or deleted for running time reasons.

And Peeta was awesome. One of my favorite "action heroes" in years. I mean, we all want to be James Bond but I'm guessing most of us would react just like he did.

 

[danoyse]

I should've emphasized that it got a lot more of them to start reading books again.

When did you think they stopped reading books? Having been a teenage girl myself and a lifelong avid reader, enlighten me on this one.

 

[Project862006]

maybe he thinks girls only read cooking books

 

[mr. peasant]

I liked it. A lot darker than I thought it was going to be. I'm disappointed that they deleted the whole...

Spoiler

zombified servants aspect from the script, wondering if that was just dropped or deleted for running time reasons.

And Peeta was awesome. One of my favorite "action heroes" in years. I mean, we all want to be James Bond but I'm guessing most of us would react just like he did.

I'm actually glad they did. It sounds kind of hokey and wouldn't really add anything to do the movie.

 

[DDS]

How was the

Spoiler

cgi on the muttations and tracker jackers?

 

[KRIM]

Never again will I ever sit in a predominantly female (particularly teenaged) audience. I thought fanboys were something, but holy hell at least they're silent when they orgasm in their seats. And the f--king chatter and annoying giggles the came with every bit of tidbit that was lifted from the books...my blood was boiling at certain points. I didn't have the heart to berate them like I should have. Worst audience I've ever been with. Never again.

But ASIDE FROM THAT... solid flick. I thought Prometheus would be the first instance in which dystopian sci-fi comes back in a big way, but looks like Hunger Games will beat them to that punch. Knowing nothing from the books, I was quite surprised with how violent and dark the subject matter was. Had it been me, I would have liked to see it Rated-R, if only because I don't think the ideas presented in the movie were given justice by "cheating" with the visuals. Conceptually, this is one of the most morbid mainstream movies I've seen in recent time. They should take advantage of that, in spite of the books having a young demographic. Much of it was still effective due to the genuineness of the direction and good casting. As an audience member intrigued by the story, I needed a bit more to be taken in by the harsh world that was set up. But I suppose there's sequels for that, where they can afford to take more chances.

One thing to note, the editing and handheld cam style (especially in the beginning) was atrocious. Rarely do I ever notice things like that, but it really took me out of the more hectic scenes. I know what they were going for but it just didn't hit.

Anyway, awesome movie (though unfortunate theater experience). I hope that attention drives more men to see it, as it did for me. The packed theater I was in had a 8 to 1 ratio of females for some reason. Strange as this movie didn't have typical "chick flick" flavors at all, aside from the rushed love story in the second half. It's great to see a female leading a blockbuster movie again.

 

[jmc]

8 to 1 ratio you say? Might be an opportunity to pick up tonight.

 

[SuperSoldier985]

Yeah, I had the same reaction.

Way too many college girls in a packed room like that can really be annoying..

 

[jacobed]

How was the

Spoiler

cgi on the muttations and tracker jackers?

It's good. [BLACKOUT]The tracker jackers just look like wasps basically and the muttations looks like big dogs but they look good. The cg is pretty damn good overall.[/BLACKOUT]

 

[def28]

Hope lionsgate ups the budget for the sequels for a more detailed look. A few effects round the Capitol looked like a Syfy made for tv movie. Def could have done better with the fire, compositing and Green Screen.

 

[mr. peasant]

8 to 1 ratio you say? Might be an opportunity to pick up tonight.

Yeah, I had the same reaction.

Way too many college girls in a packed room like that can really be annoying..

Lol... the timing of these posts makes it look as if SuperSoldier finds the prospect of picking up a college girl annoying.

Sorry for the trolling. t:

But ASIDE FROM THAT... solid flick. I thought Prometheus would be the first instance in which dystopian sci-fi comes back in a big way, but looks like Hunger Games will beat them to that punch. Knowing nothing from the books, I was quite surprised with how violent and dark the subject matter was. Had it been me, I would have liked to see it Rated-R, if only because I don't think the ideas presented in the movie were given justice by "cheating" with the visuals. Conceptually, this is one of the most morbid mainstream movies I've seen in recent time. They should take advantage of that, in spite of the books having a young demographic. Much of it was still effective due to the genuineness of the direction and good casting. As an audience member intrigued by the story, I needed a bit more to be taken in by the harsh world that was set up. But I suppose there's sequels for that, where they can afford to take more chances.

I disagree somewhat. I thought the ideas were communicated across very well - certainly from a philosophical/narrative level - and that additional gore would have been needlessly gratuitous; especially in this day and age where people HAVE become somewhat desensitised to gore and see heavy use of it as narmy. What really sold it was the characters' reactions to their situation; along with the reality show style interviews and 'sports show'-like commentaries and highlight reels.

 

[Ultimatehero]

I'm actually glad they did. It sounds kind of hokey and wouldn't really add anything to do the movie.

Actually the way it was in the script was really cool, serious, and terrifying. Might be waiting for the sequel though... unsure what the other books are about though.

 

[Project862006]

dont see how it is cheating the deaths were more times than not shown off screen even in the book

 

[KRIM]

I disagree somewhat. I thought the ideas were communicated across very well - certainly from a philosophical/narrative level

I think they got the point across sufficiently enough, but it was by no means deeply explored. The ideas were there, but beyond the set-up there was little maneuvering to engage in thought-provoking material. Mind you I'm looking at this purely from a cinematic and sci-fi fan perspective. I don't know how accurate it is to the portrayal in the books. And to be honest, I don't care. Rarely does Hollywood greenlight films with heavy subject matter, and I think this is as good of an opportunity as ever to take advantage.

- and that additional gore would have been needlessly gratuitous; especially in this day and age where people HAVE become somewhat desensitised to gore and see heavy use of it as narmy. What really sold it was the characters' reactions to their situation; along with the reality show style interviews and 'sports show'-like commentaries and highlight reels.

Gauging proper levels of violence and death have always been senseless to me. It's inherently ugly and vile. The over-exposure you speak of is not the type of violence I want conveyed. The truth is, the public are desensitized to over-the-top blood and kills. There is a disconnect between the viewer and the dead. They feel safe because ironically, somehow the gratuity trivializes it into accepted entertainment. It ceases to be real. Show these same viewers actual pictures and videos of what it's really like in other countries -- I guarantee most will look away.

That sense of dread and awkwardness is how it should be. We are after all talking about a movie whose plot centers around war games starring children. And the society has (de)volved to a point where their slayings are considered normal. Anything short of that queasy feeling in your stomach is effectively sugarcoating the whole thing. I'm not asking for gore and body parts sloppily thrown into the air. But the right amount of visuals that illicit shock and sympathy.

I'm admittedly more tolerant than most. And I certainly don't represent the targeted demographic. So there's a good chance I'm heading way out of bounds here. Perhaps the intent is to make the subject accessible to younger ages, and thus the material holds back. I just think sci-fi is largely an ignored genre, as well as the thought-provoking blockbuster. I see lots of potential in this series and that's why it is sort of a downer to see it embraced as lighter-fare.

 

[Call Me Darkman]

Great film. I shed a tear when [BLACKOUT]that little girl died[/BLACKOUT].

 

[terry78]

Caught it earlier, pretty well done flick. Not familiar with the book, but from what I've gathered from random people, Ross was pretty faithful and shot key scenes that seemed to satisfy the fans.

The one scene that had everybody going "dayummmmm" was with big pretty boy. "What....the hell....HAPPENED?" If you've seen it you know the scene.

 

[Poetic Chaos]

Definitely my last midnight premier. 1: I'm just getting too old for it. 2: It didn't help being surrounded by annoying teenage girls like the above has stated.

But I loved movie and feel it did the book as good of justice as it can get. Many fans of novels that get adapted into movies cringe when hearing of scenes added that weren't in the book. Feeling as if it's a negative to include an added scene when much of the actual book content has been cut. I loved everything they added. Getting to see the Gamemakers at work inter-cut with the events in the arena was a fantastic touch. So was seeing President Snow touch base with Seneca Crane, the expanded use of Caesar Flickerman and Haymitch putting in effort with the sponsors. It all added to the depth of the movie.

Now for comments on things potentially spoilerific:

[BLACKOUT]I knew the filmmakers wouldn't have the balls to make their leading man an amputee in future films. It's not really a big deal but it's something I expected. [/BLACKOUT]

One omission I did find very questionable was [BLACKOUT]Peeta not finding out Katniss was just playing the love interest role to get sponsors.[/BLACKOUT] Seems like a very important revelation to leave out.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

There are two things that I'm not looking forward to tomorrow night:

1.) The Previews (Twilight)
2.) The Female Audience

I dread the two mixed together...

 

[terry78]

There are two things that I'm not looking forward to tomorrow night:

1.) The Previews (Twilight)
2.) The Female Audience

I dread the two mixed together...

The former you won't have to worry about as it's mostly summer blockbuster trailers....and the one Twilight teaser.

 

[jmc]

Those dreading the females look at it this way, you may find your future wife there. I will say this, it is intimidating when the audience is mostly female.

 

[EML420]

Its funny how a lot of you say how little men there are when you see the movie.

The female demographic really is kinda of ignored they get rom coms but they need there big budget summmer movies to I feel like movies like this with a strong female lead and even to an extent Twilight (minus strong lead) prove that they can make huge amounts of money and dont need the male demographic.

 

[KRIM]

Those dreading the females look at it this way, you may find your future wife there. I will say those, it is intimidating when the audience is mostly female.

It got really weird in one particular moment, when nearly every female in my immediate vicinity just started bawling their eyes out for a good five minutes. I just sat completely still, thinking, "ok -- so I'm the only heartless bastard not giving a s--t right now..."

 

[DoomsdayApex]

The former you won't have to worry about as it's mostly summer blockbuster trailers....and the one Twilight teaser.

I know... but it's still Twilight.

Don't get me wrong, I love ladies. However, tomorrow night, I might as well be homosexual.

Unless I spot a dime.

Those dreading the females look at it this way, you may find your future wife there. I will say those, it is intimidating when the audience is mostly female.

Hells Naw! More loving for the ladies -- the way I view it. Here's hoping I score myself into a threesome tomorrow.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

It got really weird in one particular moment, when nearly every female in my immediate vicinity just started bawling their eyes out for a good five minutes. I just sat completely still, thinking, "ok -- so I'm the only heartless bastard not giving a s--t right now..."