Movie Review: The Hunger Games

If you have read my book review on "The Hunger Games", then you should know that I absolutely loved it. You should also know that I had my reservations when it came to the movie, especially when it came to the cast and the love story.

Well, I take it all back.

via Free Movie Wallpaper

Last night, I was lucky enough to watch an early screening of "The Hunger Games" with Krissy Cruz of Krissyfied in SM North. And even though I live in the South, the commute was well worth it.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the movie version of "The Hunger Games". Okay, that's an exaggeration. I wasn't entirely sure whether the movie was actually working for me until Katniss and Peeta got to the Capitol (aside from the Reaping scene, where I bawled my eyes out like an insane person), and to say that I was incredibly effing disappointed with the dogs is a very mild way of putting it.

However, once they did get to the Capitol, the movie did no more wrong in my eyes. Will you like the movie if you didn't read the book? Honestly? Probably not. So make sure you read it before you go watch it in the cinemas. IT IS WORTH THE READ. TRUST ME.

via Free Movie Wallpaper

Now, my biggest problem with books-turned-movies is that they never really stay true to the books. Well, to be perfectly honest, though, neither does "The Hunger Games". At all. A lot of the scenes, dialogue and character traits were left out or completely changed. But... I can't explain it... It just works.

I had my doubts about the casting of Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, for example. Well, in my defense, Josh Hutcherson as book-Peeta really doesn't work. But Josh Hutcherson as movie-Peeta? OH MY GOD. MOVIE-PEETA JOSH HUTCHERSON, COME INTO MY ARMS WITH YOUR DIMPLED CHIN, PLEASE. TEAM PEETA ALL THE WAY!!!

via Moviespad

And remember how I said I hope they don't turn the movie into a sappy love story? Well, they kinda did. And I didn't even care. In fact, I actually liked loved it. This movie is to me what "Twilight" is to the Twi-hards out there, I've decided.

Granted, the character and relationship developments kinda sucked in the movie and you don't really know what Katniss is thinking or feeling every second of the way like in the book, but it completely works in the love story aspect of it all and they cleverly worked in some of the television segments to help non-readers understand the storyline more.

Crap. I'm just babbling now. Mostly coz I just can't explain the movie to you guys right now because I know half of you haven't read the book yet and the other half of you don't want spoilers.

So, you know what? I'll just leave you with tips on what to do during the movie instead:

1. Bring a lot of tissues. It is an absolute cryfest! Even more so than the book. In fact, there's an added District 11 scene that wasn't in the book that made me cry for the entirety of it.

2. Do not drink anything during the movie. I cannot stress this enough. Since I'm a superhero, I was able to pull a Flash and take a 2-second restroom break after drinking my milk tea, but I doubt anyone else would be able to pull that off. On that note, pee before you go in, too.

3. Read the book. If you don't read it, you won't appreciate it as much. And then we won't be able to talk about it. I want to be able to talk about it. So please read it. And then watch the movie. And then we can talk. :)

4. Wear a mockingjay pin. Wear leather. Braid your hair. Set your clothes on fire. Do something Hunger Games-ish. I really regret not doing that last night.

5. STAY AWAY FROM PEETA. He's mine. Ahem.

Alright. It's 5am and all I've done is stalk Josh Hutcherson on the Internet, so I'm off to work for a change. Let me know when you've seen the movie. I need fellow Tributes to talk to. ;)