Books into Movies ... anyone read The Hunger Games

[Karen]

I saw the movie yesterday, and while it was okay, they definitely did not do the book justice. Katniss and her family, in the books, face starvation on a regular basis, and while she supplements what little they have with hunting when she can, there's no way they would look quite that healthy at the outset. And I was surprised they just eliminated a whole character and didn't explain the history of the Mocking-jays at all, in the book it is given to her by her only female friend, and it had originally belonged to that girls' aunt, not some random old lady in the marketplace.

They let out so much back story, and while the acting was fine, so much was toned down for the movie. I expected Cinna, for example, to be much more flamboyant, Effie Trinket doesn't even get her name introduced, I don't think, it doesn't mention the herbs Katniss collects for her mother, or that her mother does any healing of people ...

An okay movie, but pales in comparison to the books, especially in the sharpness of many of the characters.

[Sowa]

I have read the first book, and I felt the same as you when I saw the trailer. I'm going to see the movie tomorrow night and I'm curious if it will live up to the book at all. I heard it's suppose to follow the book story very closely so it may turn out good.

I had pictured katniss and some of the other characters differently in my head then how they cast the characters. They definitely don't look to be starving.

[Karen]

So what did you think, Sowa?

[Sowa]

So what did you think, Sowa?

I liked it. After I got into the movie I actually felt the actress did pretty well with Katniss, other then not seeming hungry enough. I really felt that they didn't capture that part like the book. For example, the time spent in the capitol before the games, they always talked about how much food there was, and how amazing it was to have such a selection etc. I really didn't feel the hungry was actually a serious problem in the movie, which is too bad.

I wish we got to know Rue a little more, since she was more involved in the book. Also...I don't think that riot happened in the book, did it? For Rues section? And they gave Katniss some bread or something.

Other then that it good. Oh, and the guy at the end...that didn't happen in book 1. I don't believe they even mentioned his name in the book.

[Karen]

I liked it. After I got into the movie I actually felt the actress did pretty well with Katniss, other then not seeming hungry enough. I really felt that they didn't capture that part like the book. For example, the time spent in the capitol before the games, they always talked about how much food there was, and how amazing it was to have such a selection etc. I really didn't feel the hungry was actually a serious problem in the movie, which is too bad.

I wish we got to know Rue a little more, since she was more involved in the book. Also...I don't think that riot happened in the book, did it? For Rues section? And they gave Katniss some bread or something.

Other then that it good. Oh, and the guy at the end...that didn't happen in book 1. I don't believe they even mentioned his name in the book.

They did mention the riots, but not as much in book one as the other books. And yes, I remember Cato from the book, they did change the ending a bit though, and I liked the book's version better.

[lizbud]

They let out so much back story, and while the acting was fine, so much was toned down for the movie. I expected Cinna, for example, to be much more flamboyant, Effie Trinket doesn't even get her name introduced, I don't think, it doesn't mention the herbs Katniss collects for her mother, or that her mother does any healing of people ...

I've not read the book, but have read quite a few reviews of the movie and they are generally good. I understand quite a bit was left
out of the movie for brevity & censors issues(blood & violence). They wanted the movie rated to include the younger teen audience.
The movie as it is is 2 1/2 hours long, isn't it?

[Karen]

I've not read the book, but have read quite a few reviews of the movie and they are generally good. I understand quite a bit was left
out of the movie for brevity & censors issues(blood & violence). They wanted the movie rated to include the younger teen audience.
The movie as it is is 2 1/2 hours long, isn't it?

Some of it I knew would be left out for censorship reasons, in terms of the blood and gore, which is expected. But they cut out a lot of the background which, in the book, gave depth to the characters, and helped you understand them. You don't get any real idea, for example, how desperate the lives of Katniss and her family are, or why she's so protective of her sister ...