Hunger Games (film)

This was the first film I saw in theaters this year and it wasn't a disappointment. I think it helped that I haven't read the book yet so I wasn't sure what to expect aside from what I'd seen in the trailers. It's been awhile since I've felt so much suspense. I'm not a fan of horror or suspense films, I avoid them like the plague, so this movie is about as much suspense as I can endure unless you include Dark Knight. I watched Hunger Games  with my sister and came out feeling content to an extent. Was it worth the money I paid to watch it? Yes. Would I watch it again when it comes out on DVD? I could care more or less.

I had a hard time trying to stay focus for the first half of the film because it seemed to drag on for whatever reason. Yes the content was necessary and I found myself taking in the settings and costumes, but it was just a tad bland. It wasn't cringe worthy bland and horrible as Twilight appeared for me, but I really wanted the actual Hunger Games to start. Instead I sat through the first part of the movie making connections to other novels I've read and the history of films in my mind. So in an intellectual bookworm sort of way I was able to maintain my focus until the second part of the film, which I have to say was far more intense than I expected.

For a PG-13 film that was designated toward teens and older children, there was a lot more blood-shed and violence than one would anticipate. But that's what kept my attention apparently. I won't go into too much detail (since there are people like my roommate who haven't watched it yet), but there were a few scenes that had my heart pounding and one particular event that had both my sister and I on the verge of tears. And no it wasn't any of the "romantic" scenes. The romance in this film was a bit of stretch and the weakest point in the movie, at least in both my sister and mine's opinion. The chemistry between the two main characters...or their attempt was rather painful to watch. If they'd taken it out, the movie would've been perfectly fine, but apparently it plays a large part in the book/ movie and how the rest of the plot lays out so I had to bear with it. (It's so hard to find a romance done right in movies these days.) Aside from that, I was impressed by the cast and their acting. Now to read the book!