Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

[Ottilie]

Who ever picked the actors/actresses seriously knew what they were doing for sure!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

[Cassi aka Snow White]

That is so much win!

[Ottilie]

Hahaha that's awsome!

[Jen (at last!)]

Lenny as Cinna...'nough said. :)

I enjoyed the entire cast. This was such a well made movie. I'm glad I was a viewer who had read the books b/c there were some details missing that I thought would have explained better for those who hadn't read the book. (view spoiler)[ (1)The fact that Peeta joined forces with Cato to protect Katiniss. (2)The dogs being the dead tributes was a chilling part of the book for me so I wished that fact had been known in the movie. (hide spoiler)] All in all, it was a fantastic film!

[Diane]

I agree Jen and I would like to have seen more of the struggle Katniss had feeding her family when her mom" checked out" and the importance of her relationship with Gale. Also the struggle she had with trusting Peeta's motives was not clear in the movie.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

(view spoiler)[I was also surprised that we didn't see the nametags or whatever on the dogs. (hide spoiler)]

[Julianne]

OK, I'm not sure if I should have seen it so close to reading the book but oh well. I loved Peeta, Josh made me like him more than I did in the book (Gale stole my heart in the books). I think Lenny was perfect, Liam Hemsworth as Gale was great and I was glad to see a little more of him as he watched. (view spoiler)[ I agree with what someone said above about Jennifer Lawrence falling a little short. The relationships with Gale, Peeta and Rue weren't really shown as being particularly special. One thing that stood out to me that was missing was on their way home after the games when Peeta finds out that Katniss was faking at being in love. But I suppose it wouldn't have been a nice clean ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Julianne]

Oh and Woody Harrelson rocks.

[Gwennie]

I also questioned why they didn't make it clearer that (view spoiler)[Peeta joined up with Cato to keep Katniss safe. I mean, they did sort of hint at that by the looks on his face when she was in the tree, and his screaming at her to run. But it definitely should have been clearer, or stated at some point. I also was surprised that they didn't include that the dogs were created from the tributes, but I don't think leaving it out made it confusing or lacked anything. I don't think my husband thought anything of it, lol. So while I was surprised, it didn't bug me that it was left out. Not like the Peeta thing.

My friend pointed out that they also left out District 11 sending Katniss the bread after Rue died. She felt it was important because they were such a poor District and it showed how they felt. I kind of agreed with that (hide spoiler)].

I wasn't disappionted in any acting. I think they could have showed more of the relationship between Rue and Katniss, definitely. But I think they showed her and Gale well. Well enough that I remember why I liked him in the beginning. Plus, I guess I just expect some of that because they only have so much time. They have to get in just enough without making it drag out. And already my husband said there were too many slow parts, lmao. From a nonreader standpoint.

[Ottilie]

Stacia *the pusher wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

I was wondering that as well and (view spoiler)[ the eye and fur color! I had to explain that to my parents afterwards, that would have only taken a minute... (hide spoiler)]

[Carina]

I also would have liked it if they have made it clearer why (view spoiler)[Petta joined Cato. It would have helped made Katniss and Petta's relationship stronger and then if they had done the train scene where Peeta gets mad at Katniss when he finds out she was 'faking' her love, it would have helped the movie and their relatonship a lot IMO.
The werecats, being the tributes was something I missed too. Too bad =( (hide spoiler)]
Still a good movie, and we're probably gonna take my niece to see it this weekend, so it must mean I really liked it if I'm gonna tag along, lol!

[Jen (at last!)]

Gosh, Josh as Peeta just made my heart go pitter patter. He was so likable and believable as Peeta. You just wanted to hug him b/c you know that (view spoiler)[Katniss was faking her love for him and he thought it was real when it was happening. I guess the reason they left him finding out was that it would have ended the movie with a sense of discord and not triumph. (hide spoiler)].

Woody Harrelson ROCKED as Hamish. I seriously really liked all the characters. I have to say the Reaping was so chilling. Gosh, I can't wait to see it again.

I have this feeling that by the next film it's going to blow up into a bigger than Twilight phenom which I'm totally ok with.

[Gwennie]

Well and I think that they wanted to give it a small sense of closure, in case it bombed, lmao. I think we'll get the big cliffhanger at the end of Catching Fire.

[Maree]

Someone at work was betting that I'd see the movie three times this weekend - I laughed and told him I'd maybe see it once. We were both wrong and I ended up seeing it twice, lol.

I thought it was great! I was worried about Jennifer Lawrence after what people were saying here, but I thought she was fantastic, especially in the beginning. She said so much with facial expression alone.

The only thing I was really disappointed with was that they didn't have the mockingjays singing for Rue. That was a huge image in my mind from the book and I was disappointed it didn't get included. They didn't even explain the mockingjays, really.

My boyfriend said he thought the ending was rushed, and I can kind of see what he means. The beginning took a lot more time to flesh stuff out at the expense of later. I was happy with a lot of little things in the beginning, but there were a lot of little things I think they could have added to the end which would have made it just that much better.

We also went with a non-reader who thought it was fantastic. Another who I talked to later said that he actually went on wikipedia to look up the rest of the plot because he had to know what happened after that. Sacrilege! I hit him, don't worry.

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

For shame, if it's good enough to spoil he should read them!!

[Ottilie]

Haha good Maree for smacking the non-believer!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Wendy F wrote: "Well and I think that they wanted to give it a small sense of closure, in case it bombed, lmao. I think we'll get the big cliffhanger at the end of Catching Fire."

That's what I had wondered too. If I didn't know that there were two more books, I would have assumed that the book and movie were a standalone. There wasn't much hint at what could come next.

[Lyzzibug ~Still Breathing~]

I agree what a few of you said about Jennifer/Katniss' performance. I just wanted a little more from her. It seemed to fall flat at some points. Other than that I thought the movie was awsome! Woody surprised me the most on such a good job.

[Maree]

Stacia *the pusher wrote: "If I didn't know that there were two more books, I would have assumed that the book and movie were a standalone. There wasn't much hint at what could come next."

Really? I kinda thought there was more foreshadowing in the movie than there was in the book, because of the District Eleven scene and all the conversations with President Snow. It seemed that things were definitely sparking. The non-reader who went with us was really interested in what came next too.

[Tammi]

I LOVED it.

[Lyzzibug ~Still Breathing~]

I just remembered (view spoiler)[ I really liked them killing off the game maker with the berries. I know that it isn't metioned in the book. I thought it was very creative. (hide spoiler)]

[Jen (at last!)]

Lyzzibug ~Still Breathing~ wrote: "I just remembered [spoilers removed]"

Seneca (view spoiler)[was killed off in the second book. They just chose to put that in the first movie I guess for a better transition btwn the movies. Remember, Katniss creates an effigy of Seneca with berry juice on the chest and a noose around its neck (hide spoiler)]

[Vivian]

Think I'm going to see it tonight! Then I can go back and read the spoilers. I hope it's good!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

The Seneca thing was one of those details that wasn't important to the integrity of the story as a whole.

Have fun Vivian!

[Diane]

I loved Seneca's beard though...

[Julianne]

Diane wrote: "I loved Seneca's beard though..."

Haha, yes, that was so many levels of awesome.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

The details of the hair and makeup on the Capitol people really accentuated the differences between the richer and the poorer districts.

[Jen (at last!)]

My sister read an interview with the actor, Wes Bentley, who plays Seneca. He said it had to be trimmed every few hours. Wow. It was so many levels of awesome coupled with his intense eyes.

I can't wait to see the makeup for certain characters in the third book!

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I'm the most excited to see who is cast as Finnick. I heard that Colton Haynes (sp) wanted the role.

[Jen (at last!)]

Awww, Finnick! I <3 him. He's my fave after Peeta and Cinna. It'll be exciting to see who they cast for him.

[Renee]

I agree, Finnick was my second favorite character and cant wait to see who's gonna portray him :)

[Emily]

I went on Saturday but haven't had a chance to comment before now.

Overall, I was pleased and enjoyed it a lot. I know several people who said the choppy camera work made them nauseous. I had a warning about that so sat in the back of the theater, but I still didn't love that aspect.

The part that had me sobbing was when she volunteered, and then the salute from her district. She's just so frantic and emotional and I loved it.

The scene that I was most disappointed about not having in the movie was (view spoiler)[
the bread from district 11, as someone else also mentioned. That was just a really great moment for me in the book, especially knowing that it was the first time a district sent something to a tribute from another district. (hide spoiler)]

My favorite scene translated to the screen that was unexpected was Peeta & Ceasar sniffing each other during Peeta's interview. Katniss describes it a little in the book but it was so much funnier on the screen!

The absolute scariest thing in the whole trilogy for me (view spoiler)[ were the muttations. I was a little disappointed that they were just computer generated beasts and not tied to the dead tributes as in the book. The eyes of the dead tributes thing freaks me out beyond belief. (hide spoiler)]

I didn't like (view spoiler)[ that the riot in district 11 started in this film, and some of the behind the scenes stuff with Snow, especailly Haymitch pleading with Crane not to kill Katniss, which just seemed weird to me. But since Crane's death is off screen even in the book, I did not mind at all seeing the berries laid out for him--I thought that was a nice touch. (hide spoiler)]

[~*~Princess Nya Vasiliev~*~]

Finnick *swoon*

[Lyzzibug ~Still Breathing~]

I didn't remember (view spoiler)[ the effigy (hide spoiler)] probably in my hast to devour the book as fast as I could. Haha

[Maree]

I definitely had tears at that first part too, Emily. I thought the girl who played Prim did a fantastic job there, as well as Jennifer Lawrence.

[Stacie]

A little fun fact, among the many many makeup and hair artists was Glenn Hetrick, special effects makeup. I think he did Peeta's camouflage. He is also a judge on the reality challenge show, Face Off.

I agree with the missing scenes of bread and explaining the mutts and the train scene at the end as well.

I didn't really care for the notes inside her silver parachutes. I get it from a non-readers standpoint but I thought that was a big part of the Haymitch and Katniss relationship in the book. Even though they might not always like each other, they understood each, even without words.

I really did enjoy the flaming outfits! That visually turned out great.

[Stacie]

Oh yeah, totally agreed with the casting. Loved Woody Harrelson! (Love it when he's quirky or different, like in Zombieland!)

[Renee]

yeah, the mutts part was a bit of a dissapointment. but the part that bothered me most was changing how katniss got the mockingbird pin. I mean, I can understand why they changed it, but it still just upsets me a little.

The make up for Peeta's camouflage was fantastic. everyone in my theatre was surprised. I think quite a few of them jumped.--I know we all jumped when the mutts came out.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I jumped at the mutts too.

Stacie, I agree. Woody Harrelson was great in Zombieland. That role was made for him.

I wasn't at my computer when I was mentioning Colton as Finnick or I would have posted some pics. Here's some pics of him. He's even by the water, which is perfect for Finnick's district. His hair might need a touch of dye but otherwise I think he embodies the persona of Finnick.

(view spoiler)[


(hide spoiler)]

[Julianne]

I agree he looks like a perfect Finnick.

I also agree with what someone said about (view spoiler)[the notes in the parachutes from Haymitch. Katniss was supposed to be able to understand without the words. (hide spoiler)]

And another thing that bothered me was (view spoiler)[where she got the Mocking Jay pin...I didn't mind that they cut out the mayor's daughter or that Katniss picked it up at the hob as a gift for Prim, what bothered me was that Rue said she knew she could trust Katniss because of the mocking jay pin. The pin was supposed to be visible because it becomes the symbol of the uprising, it's such a big part of the upcoming books yet her pin was hidden in the movie. Unless I missed the part where it became visible. (hide spoiler)]

I still loved the movie as a whole. :)

[Jen (at last!)]

Mmmm, Colton, he's so yummy even if he plays a tool in Teen Wolf. lol
He'd be a fantastic Finnick. All cocky and HOT.

[Renee]

Julianne wrote: "I agree he looks like a perfect Finnick.

I also agree with what someone said about [spoilers removed]

And another thing that bothered me was [spoilers removed]

I still loved the movie as ..."

I dont recall seeing it either. maybe they are gonna change that too.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

Guys I was really impressed. I think all of the changes were the right ones. I loved the District 11 scene. I was actually tearing up further during that section. Also it was good foreshadowing for the non reader (I saw this with my dad who doesn't really know anything about Hunger Games).

They didn't just make this another teen movie but they made a lot of intelligent and artistic choices. Jennifer Lawrence is amazing.

[Stacie]

Yep, colton yummy!

[Vivian]

Watched the movie last night and it completely exceeded my expectations. I probably watch 2 or 3 movies a year because sitting through them is a little torturous for me, but this one didn't seem long at all! The highest compliment you can get from me.

Obviously, the movie isn't going to be able to develop the characters, relationships, or backgrounds as well as a book, and I thought everything was done well and for the most part, okay with the minor changes and omissions.

The most powerful scene in the movie for me was Katniss volunteering during the Reaping. I totally teared up.

Anyone else disappointed with the people of the Capitol? I guess I was expecting more flashy, crazy make-up, like purple and green people walking around. They looked good, but more tame than in my imagination.

I thought the killings were done well and were very disturbing as they were. Don't think I could've handled anything more graphic and I'm afraid they would've been over Hollywood-ed and glamourized. I heard about the shaky camera so it didn't really bother me.

Jennifer Lawrence was fantastic as Katniss. I admit I was skeptical after she was cast, but she was really great, especially with how much emotion she could display with a small look.

Now Rue.(view spoiler)[The omission of the bread was disappointing. I think that was one of the most touching moments of the book and really think it should've been in the movie.
Also, Rue and Katniss' relationship could've been developed a little better. Rue's death still made me tear up, but Katniss' devastation seemed too much for the amount of time they actually spent showing their relationship in the movie. (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad I didn't re-read the book or I might have nitpicked more of the movie but now that I've seen and enjoyed, might go back and pick it up for second reading.

And interesting about Seneca's beard! Trimming every few hours is crazy. (view spoiler)[We were discussing whether or not Seneca was actually killed off in the first book. Thanks to whoever clarified that :) (hide spoiler)]

[Renee]

Vivian wrote: "Watched the movie last night and it completely exceeded my expectations. I probably watch 2 or 3 movies a year because sitting through them is a little torturous for me, but this one didn't seem lo..."

The part with Rue and Katniss, or a lot of the movie really I feel they kind of filmed it to where the ones that actually read the book can fill in the blanks.
Like the part where Cesar explained what tracker jackers were for the people that didnt read the book and had no clue of the effects.

Okay that example was the opposite of what I was saying. but you get it.. :)

[Vivian]

Haha, I get what you mean. I think it's fine to assume readers are smart enough to fill in the blanks, I guess I'm just disappointed personally because I thought that was a part of the book that was important enough to show, especially for the non-readers.

[Cassi aka Snow White]

For non-readers I think the Rue scene translate well. Dad said that was the hardest part to watch so he'd obvoiusly made the emotional connection.

I think it helped that Rue was so adorable. She kind of melts your guards.

[Gwennie]

I always figured part (not all, but part) of Katniss's grief was that Rue and Prim were the same age. I think in the book she even said that Rue being there really made her think of and miss her own sister. Didn't she think to herself that that was why Katniss wanted to help Rue and keep her alive, because she reminded her of her own sister? So I think that was part of Katnisses shock too, in addition to the time they spent together. Watching any 12 year old child basically being murdered would bring out a large amount of grief, I think.

But the Rue scene is definitely the one that most people think should have been better. I did sit in the audience and think about how it was a shame that they didn't get more interaction time in the movie. I think only one person who saw the movie said that they thought the movie spent too much time on Rue's death, that it went on too long (with the flowers and the crying and such). I thought it was powerful.