THE HUNGER GAMES - REVIEW

THE HUNGER GAMES - REVIEW

This has to probably be one of the best books to film adaptions ever, and it will probably one of the best films of the year.

Having read the book, and knowing just how brilliant the book is (it will probably be remembered as one of the best modern day books ever), its needless to say our expectations for the movie would be extremely high. Thankfully Director Gary Ross delivers a wonderful film in incredible style.

The film really does capture the essence of the book, while they may of changed a few things from the book for the movie, the ideals and message of the Hunger Games still comes through ever so clearly.

Jennifer Lawrence is brilliant as Katniss

Even though The Hunger Games might be aimed at teens or pre-teens (by having the PG-13 rating, it should of been R-Rated) we can tell you it's audience is far wider than that. With the story being more mature and sophisticated than other teeny reads, it's really something that’s appropriate for all ages and will resonate with everyone that watches it.

The film is over 2 hours long, it's incredibly fast paced yet the intensity has such a weight to it that it's felt throughout the story from beginning to end, that’s a distinct feature that the book and the film shares!

The only negative aspects of the film that we can mention will have to be things that only people that have read the book will understand. Which isn't a bad thing, it's quite a compliment, as it shows just how incredibly the movie is, that audiences that haven't read the books will come out loving it, and if you did read the books you will realize that the movie and the books compliment each other brilliantly.

Yes, there might be some details that were left out, for instance the Avox girl and they didn't really play out Rue and Katniss relationship, as much as they should of, but they really couldn't. The film is already long, but they managed to capture all the aspects as well as the pain and joy, the love and sorrow that are experienced by the characters. They even managed to show us signs of what's to come in Catching Fire, which is the sequel.

Liam Hemsworth makes for the ideal Gale

The cast on the other hand, is brilliantly chosen. With Jennifer Lawrence giving a performance of a lifetime as Katniss, she is absolutely brilliant in the role.

Josh Hutcherson is superb as Peeta, so much so that we weren't really fond of Peeta in the book, yet Josh really turns that around with his performance that's hard not to like.

Lenny Kravitz, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, and everyone in the film, were all perfectly chosen. It's really one of those perfectly cast film, where these wonderful actors and actresses manage to bring a certain likability and dynamic to their roles.

The Hunger Games is a serious, dark, mature, sophisticated film that is extremely entertaining. It's one of those films that will resonate with you long after you watch it. With its underlying tone of rebellion, politics and government rule, The Hunger Games really sets itself apart from other films that tend to focus on teeny love affairs, such as Twilight.

Katniss and Peeta in The Hunger Games

If you haven't read the books as yet, we suggest you do. As brilliant as the movie is, it doesn't cover or explain everything as clearly as the books. However, the book is just told from Katniss point of view, as the film really expands whereby they able to show us certain events that was not covered in the books.

Therefore, its clear to see that unlike many book to film adaptions, The Hunger Games film and book really do compliment each other, as they both cover the same story just that they both have certain minor details that the other might not have covered. Yet, this doesn’t make the book or the film less enjoyable for the person that only seen or read one of them. No, you will still love it, whether you just seen the movie, or the read the book, or you managed to read the book and watch the film, you will still love The Hunger Games.

Our Rating

9/10