The student news site of Edwardsville High School

Tiger Times

The student news site of Edwardsville High School

Tiger Times

The student news site of Edwardsville High School

Tiger Times

The Hunger Games: Pros and Cons

Midnight on March 23, 2012, was the moment so many “Hunger Games” fans had been waiting for. 

Fans like myself had lined up for hours to see the movie.  I had read the books two years earlier and was ready for the long-awaited film directed by Gary Ross.

As the lights dimmed and the movie, inspired by Suzanne Collins’ book, started, I could feel the excitement from everyone around me. 

The movie began much the same as the book with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) hunting with best friend Gale Hawthorn (Liam Hemsworth).

 The first thing I found wrong with the film was the fact that Madge Undersee, Everdeen’s friend and the Mayor of District 12’s daughter, was non-existent.  Normally this wouldn’t be a big deal but in the book Everdeen has two friends: Hawthorn and Undersee.  The movie took away one of Everdeen’s only two friends.  Undersee also plays a part in the second and third books so we can only wait and see how they will play out the other scenes that require her presence. 

Another problem I found in the movie was some of the special effects.  The chariot ride costumes for Everdeen and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) were supposed to be the most anticipated costumes in the movie; however, I was let down by the poorly created fire which was quite small and not nearly as flashy as it had been described in the book.  

The last problem I found with the film was some of the fight scenes.  The camera movements were jerky, and it was hard to tell what was going on.  It also gave me quite a headache. 

One thing that made the movie great was the fact that during the games you had insight into the gamemakers’ headquarters.  For me, this took the movie to a whole new level from the book.  The film also showed Katniss’s family and Gale watching the games and conversations between Head-Gamemaker Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) with District 12 mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) as well as President Snow (Donald Sutherland).

The hair, makeup and wardrobe of the Capitolites all looked fantastic.   Each person of the Capitol had their own unique look and was overly, and perfectly, accessorized.  They looked fabulous.

Overall I think it was a good movie for everyone to go and see whether you read the books or not.  I give this movie a three out of four star rating.