I really liked this movie. I was a bit skeptical that I would. The trailers really made it look terrible. I'm happy I was wrong. It's obvious this is the first big blockbuster movie of the year. At the theater I went to, this movie was playing on five different screens. FIVE!!! There was a new showing every twenty minutes. Before I go off on everything I didn't like about the movie (which was pretty minimal considering), here's what I thought really worked:
1) The visual contrast between the wealthy Capital citizens and the poor District citizens was amazing. It looked like something right out of the French Revolution. Lots of powder, makeup, the shots of banquets as far as the eye can see, the wigs, the unearthly colors in their hair and clothes, the way they were so impressed by anything really flashy... it was masterfully done.
2) Woody Harrelson really made that role his own. Really, his character was little more than a cheerleader, but he really took the role and made it something special. One of the things I didn't like involves this character so more on this later.
3) It captured the level of danger really well. And I'm not talking just about what happens in the games. Everywhere we see the jackboot thugs in white that are supposed to pass for a modern day SS. It's clear that the people in these districts are prisoners in these districts. The only way out is to win the Hunger Games.
4) I loved how many elements they borrowed from movies like The Truman Show, Gladiator, Romeo & Juliet, Gamer, etc. There were so many elements to it I could write a paper on it. But what makes it good is how they combined it all to come up with something unique.
5) The internal philosophy of why they have the games and how the Capital citizens view the games, it all keeps a consistant tone that is just wonderful. In a movie like this it's easy to lose focus. The movie is having a lot of fun with the survivalist deathmatch but there is more to the story than that. It remembered to remind the audience that there is a political element to the games. It gave us just enough of that without overpowering the fun.
Now here's what I didn't like:
1) I F***ING F***ING F***ING F***ING F***ING F***ING HATE SHAKY CAM!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whenever there's any kind of action, I can't see it. I know why they do it. I know that if you could see what was happening, it would look terrible, but that's part of the whole "directing" thing. Making sure that everything is properly choreographed. Instead most directors use the shaky cam technique and just take shortcuts. I HATE IT!!!
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
2) The cinematography was atrocious. It got better as the movie went on, but the first act was shot like the cameraman was drunk. Everything was too close up and everything was shaking. Even when they were just walking through a room. The camera wouldn't stop shaking. I was giving serious thought to walking out because I was getting some really bad headaches.
3) Haymitch Abernathy. I really liked Woody Harrelson in this movie but his character just didn't get enough time. I know they cut a lot of his scenes for time. Even without what I felt needed to be added, it's still a 2 1/2 hour movie. Abernathy is such an interesting character. He was a Hunger Games winner, but he never talked about his experiences. He was a high volume drunk, until he started to believe these kids had a shot at winning. Never elaborated on. He got disgusted when he saw a couple of 5 year olds fake fighting with swords because they don't know anything about death or the inequality of the country. Never elaborated on. Abernathy was instrumental in their success. Constantly kissing butt trying to get them food, medicine, and generally trying to keep them alive when Katniss' actions caused a riot! Never elaborated on. I loved this character and he's treated as a peripherial character. It's a shame really.
4) For someone like me who never read the books, I never really knew why they had these games. I know it involved some kind of rebellion that happened many years ago and so as punishment the districts have to compete in these deathmatches for the entertainment of the wealthy elite. But I don't know why they chose to do these games. (They gave some kind of lipservice answer about ruling through false hope but it makes no sense) And why is this called "The Hunger Games?" It's a name I know but there's got to be some reason and I'm curious.
5) Really nothing was resolved in this movie. They have the games, there's a winner, life goes on unimpeeded. There's clearly more to the story so expect at least one sequel.
This really was a good movie and I'd recommend it. Other than the really bad cinematography at times, it's a very enjoyable movie. Go out to the theaters and watch it.
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