Review: The Hunger Games (Cast Review)

(please note that anything I say is not giving away crucial parts of the story - though this is more a review for people who have read the books)

Oh my god.

Okay, so as you all know I am in love with this trilogy, so seeing this movie was a big thing for me.

I desperately tried not to build it up too much because I know that I can get easily disappointed, but I really, really wasn't.

I already explained the storyline in my review of the books... so I'm just going to go straight ahead with the movie review, if that's alright? ;)

I just want to first say, the cast is FANTASTIC!

Jennifer Lawrence, for a start, is perfect for this role. I love her because she doesn't overplay it, but somehow gets the right emotions put across in the right places. To me, she just is Katniss. Katniss is (in my opinion) supposed to be strong, but I think in the sense that she wants to show others that she is strong. She is still just a girl, who cares about her family and friends and her district, so the parts where she breaks down (without giving any spoilers) are my favourite, as Lawrence's really brings out Katniss' weaknesses.

Josh Hutcherson is another perfect choice. Peeta, I think, goes into the games with the acceptance that he is going to die (still not giving anything away). It's almost heartbreaking how he feels less important next to Katniss, but Hutcherson's way of showing it really strengthens Peeta's character, as we see how through this acceptance, he really wants to concentrate on saving Katniss - not himself.
Hutcherson's portrayal of Peeta is calm and genuine, which makes him entirely lovable - which is what Peeta is meant to be - as noted by Suzanne Collins (author of The Hunger Games) and character Haymitch who says in both book and film how Peeta is easy to like - and I definitely agree!

Gale, played by Liam Hemsworth, I almost just as I pictured him. Very tall, dark hair and completely attractive. One thing I loved about the film adaptation is the way we were able to see clips of Gale (even if they were very short) whilst the games were going on, as I had always wondered what his reactions would be. Hemsworth is equally as brilliant as his co-stars, though we see very little of him. The scenes he shares with Lawrence -though short- really allow us to see the relationship between Gale and Katniss straight away, and how similar they are in terms of their beliefs, family values and their attitudes towards the Capitol and the Games.

Nearly finished I promise....

The last Character I want to look at (though there are many more I could look at...) is Effie Trinket played by Elizabeth Banks. Effie is one of my favourite characters of the book, just because she is so groomed and particular, and I think she doesn't really know what she believes - just that she needs to do her job, and so she does it. Elizabeth Banks plays Effie to perfection. One thing I did notice straight away was that she has interpreted the Capitol accent. It was very subtle and seemed almost natural, but is so important to the overall character of Effie. Banks also managed to create a whole personna for Effie in the way she carries herself and poises her arms upright in a natural pose. It is definitely the smaller details all added together to create Effie's character and you can see how each has been individually thought out by Banks in the development of this character. She definitely didn't disappoint me.


Okay so, one more thing before I leave you all again...
I just wanted to point out that The Hunger Games is NOT a love story!
I would love to sit here and tell you what it is about, but really I think it is open greatly to interpretation. Perhaps one day I will do blog post on it.... ;)

Until we blog again,
x

Review: The Hunger Games (Book)

Okay. I don't know about any of you, but one of my favourite things in the world is when I manage to find a book that I practically become addicted to and refuse to put down until I finish it.

For Christmas, one of my presents was 'The Hunger Games' trilogy by Suzanne Collins, and I have to say that these books are what I have been waiting for - and more.  I was completely captivated from start to finish and I will definitely not forget these for a long time.

To give you a general overview (with as few spoilers as possible), 'The Hunger Games' is set in the post-apocalyptic future in the country of Panem separated into 12 districts. As a punishment for a rebellion that occurred many years before the story takes place, each year one male and one female from each district between the ages of 12 and 18 are forced to compete in a nationally televised event called 'The Hunger Games' in which all 24 contestants must fight each other until death, as well as managing to survive and avoid any extra obstacles that the "Gamemakers" might throw at them in a huge arena that has been specially designed. There can only be one winner out of all 24 contestants and this story follows Katniss Everdeen, a girl from district 12 who has to compete in the games for her district.

There are many more things I could tell you about the storyline... but I really want you to read these books for yourself.

I felt completely tense and on the edge of my seat throughout these books and right now, I can't fault them. Collins wrote Katniss Everdeen's character in such a way that I felt for her throughout the whole thing. I almost shouted into the book a number of times because I was getting frustrated, sad, excited or angry about things that were happening, and in my opinion, any book that can make you feel something is a book worth reading.

When I was 13 or 14 I read Twilight (I know, I know what you're thinking). At the time, I was in awe of the books and completely drawn into them. To this date - I don't regret my like for those books because they were part of growing up for me, but little did I realise what a good read was.

The Hunger Games is a good read. buy it. read it. enjoy it.

P.s. sorry for my lack of blogging... I was enjoying Christmas... y'know.

Until we blog again,
x