This is not just a review, but a comparison. I have now been
to see the film twice at the cinema. I am definitely a fan of the film, but I
am a bigger fan of the books. I am now halfway through Mockingjay (the third in
the series) and if you have read my book reviews you will know how drawn in I
am to this story. I feel like a part of it, a part of Panem. Though I know the
films are simply ‘based’ on the books and not an exact replica, I cannot help
but get annoyed at even the slightest change.
Overall the film is great, evidently seeing as it has achieved
the third best opening weekend box office sales, of any movie. Having seen it
twice in the opening weekend myself I can see why this is. The Hunger Games
already has a huge fandom and bringing it to the screen only increases that,
bringing it to audiences who prefer to watch than read. Although, personally, I
believe that those who are fans of the movie cannot identify themselves as
Hunger Games fans. Having just seen the movie they will not have all of their
facts right. That is why I am calling this review a comparison. Perhaps you do
not have time to read the books, believe me – they will consume your life from
the moment you turn the first page – Therefore I have written this blog, it
will inform you and allow me to vent some of my annoyance at the misrepresentations
and false facts.
I understand that in order to bring the story to the screen
it has to be condensed. The transition of The Hunger Games from book to screen
has not just condensed it, but altered it. When the lights came on and the
credits rolled, I was surprised to see Suzanne Collins’s name under the title
of producer. I think it is great that the author of the novels has had great
involvement of the production of her work, but seeing her as producer puzzled
me – Why would she allow for some of the changes that were made? Perhaps she
was overruled, or perhaps she simply had no choice. Maybe it had to be done
that way for it to have made sense to those who are new to The Hunger Games.
Some changes made perfect sense. In the novel Haymitch’s
gifts whilst in the arena came with no note or clue as to the timing of them.
Katniss worked it out. However it is a bit tricky for what is in Katniss’ head
to be expressed in the movie – so having the notes I found to be a good
compromise. Not being in Katniss’ head was probably the thing they had to alter
most. During the tribute interviews they are not on the stage behind Caesar
Flickerman, they are lined up waiting for their turn – and are able to watch on
screen. This I feel is also a good compromise for the adaptation as you are
able to see Katniss react to Peeta’s interview on a screen backstage, which
makes it clearer what her thoughts are on what he says. If she were on stage she
would have had all eyes on her and had to play along, leaving the viewer’s
unsure as to her true thoughts. Whereas in the book we know what she is
thinking when she plays along, in the film that would be difficult to portray,
as with the in-cave-scenes where the only inclination as to her pretending is
in Haymitches notes. The only issue with the tributes not being on stage during
the interviews, is how it will affect the second film, as I feel the victors
hand-holding-scene is a crucial one – But we’ll see how that happens when the
time comes.
There were a few little things that annoyed me: Katniss
going into her private session before Peeta, Plutarch not falling into the
punch bowl, Katniss’ crying scene (if you’ve read the book you’ll understand
why), appearance of the Cornucopia, the leaves for Tracker Jacker stings having
not been chewed, and the minor continuity issue I noticed during my second
screening – where before the fire outbreak Katniss goes to sleep in her
sleeping bag, wakes up and it’s gone. This may have been done in order for her
to be able to make a swifter exit – But Katniss isn’t a magician, either it is
there or it isn't.
There were also some bigger things that annoyed me. First of
all, the thing which annoyed most readers – is Madge, or the lack of. For those
of you who have not read the books, the Mockingjay pin is not a present which
Katniss gave to Prim, in order to protect her, it was given to Katniss by Madge
for protection, as a token (which also, I should add – all tributes are
allowed, one token, therefore Cinna hiding it is slightly annoying – though it
does help to identify him as a friend). Madge is the Mayors daughter, and
Katniss’s not-yet-close friend. Having
Katniss give the pin to Prim and then Prim to Katniss, does represent their
bond as sisters – but writers do things for a reason, and Madge was introduced
at this point for a reason. My only guess it that that reason is no longer
relevant, and that it will be altered in the second film (we’ll have to see). Other
key moments that were missed/added to my annoyance were: Haymitches lack of
revealing Katniss to Peeta as having pretended, the adding of District 11
starting an uprising after the death of Rue, Peeta’s lack of a badly damaged
leg (resulting in amputation), and a lack of introduction/mention of Katniss’
prep team. We’ll have to wait for the following movies to find out how these
changes will affect the future films.
My final thing to discuss is the actual portrayal of the
characters – most of which were spot on. Stanley Tucci’s depiction of Caesar
Flickerman I thought was perfect, both his appearance and attitude were exactly
as imaged. As with the people of the Capitol, their appearances were just as
bizarre as the book describes. The one character which I am not so please about
is President Snow. It is as if the casting team heard the word ‘snow’,
immediately thought of winter, leading them to Christmas – and immediately came
up with a depiction of an evil Santa look-alike who has put all 12 districts on
the naughty list. I was not impressed. He looks nothing like the botoxed
puffy-lipped supreme leader I’d imagined. Even despite his appearances, or
perhaps because I couldn’t get past them, President Snow simply did not feel
scary enough.
One added moment I particularly love is how Seneca Crane is
shown to have been killed; it is brilliant and a really good touch. Though this
review must have seemed like a little bit of a rant, I genuinely love the film.
The alterations seemed to have just added to my anticipation for the next three
(Three books, four films) as I want to know how they are going to achieve things
which, having changed/missed/altered in the first film, would be difficult to
portray in the next. Good luck to them, and “may the odds be ever in your
favour”.
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| "Let the games begin!" |
