The Hunger Games

[ksmith]

Saw it this evening. Really, really liked it. Good opening–no credits. The story simply begins.

Camerawork has a handheld jerkiness in some spots. It took some getting used to, but imo it added a realism to the scenes in Katniss’ hometown.

Elegant touch at the end, with the Head Gamemaker and the berries.

Question for those who have read all the books–does Peeta develop at all, because right now he is not Katniss’ equal. Is his name supposed to rhyme with PITA?

Loved the soundtrack, esp. the closing song, sung by Taylor Swift. Moody mountain tune, like “In The Pines.” Just bought the soundtrack on iTunes.

I have not read the book, although it is in my electronic TBR pile.

Still pondering.

Mirrored from Kristine Smith.

Comments

[thebluerose.livejournal.com]

He does a lot of growing up in the second book I think, and comes into his own in the last book. Katniss almost has the reverse growth, she spends far too much time wangsting about a lot of things out of her control, but I wont spoil how it ends for you :)

Persevere, its worth it IMHO. I saw the movie today, not a fan of those closeup dizzymaking shots at all.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

The camera work did render some of the fight scenes "up close and personal." If you were hit from behind and wrestling with someone, that's pretty much how it would look from your point of view. So I think I know why they did it, but it can be hard to follow.

As someone who had to field complaints in the past about wangsting heroines...it's a fine line. Imo, if they don't whangst at least a little bit, they're showing a complete lack of self-awareness and awareness of the circumstances they're hip-deep in. Lack of realization of what they've lost. Pissed-offedness about having to clean up things that they didn't make dirty in the first place. Everyone whines in their head, so if you're writing 3rd person deep, it's part of the playbook. I agree that it can be overdone. But it's a difficult balance, and there's a continuum of tolerance for it among readers. Some don't notice, and others consider any at all to be too much.

[thebluerose.livejournal.com]

Oh there is LOTS and LOTS of self indulgent wangsting, probably the right amt if I was a tween, but Im not and it was "bored now, make with the story please"

Im ok with a bit of justifiable feeling sorry for oneself but indulging in weltschmerz at length and ad nauseum, totally not my thing