The Hunger Games: Movie Review and Book vs. Movie

 

THE HUNGER GAMES:  MOVIE REVIEW AND BOOK VS. MOVIE

      You have probably all seen my recent post reviewing The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. After reading an idea from Ilona (thank you, Ilona!), I have decided to write a review and comparison regarding the book-to-film adaption.

      First of all, let me say that The Hunger Games is one of my all-time favorite books. I was scared to see the movie, and at one point decided that I would skip seeing the Hunger Games on the big screen. Why? Because I hadn't wanted the movie version to ruin my love for the book, by twisting the plot line or having not-so-talented actors playing some of my favorite roles. After braving the dark movie theater on opening day, I found that my love for the book had not died, but had instead been rekindled.

      Jennifer Lawrence, playing Katniss Everdeen, was phenomenal. She stays true to the character I know from the novel, even though the transition from first person tense in the book must have been difficult. Liam Hemsworth (playing Gale), Amandla Stenburg (playing Rue), Woody Harrelson (playing Haymitch), Elizabeth Banks (Effie), Willow Shields (Prim), and Lenny Kravitz (Cinna), were all played to perfection. The one problem I had with the casting/acting was Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson. My first thought after hearing that he had been cast as Peeta was that he didn't look like how I had imagined Peeta whatsoever. That fact was confirmed after seeing the movie trailer. Of course, wonderful acting would make up for that slight disappointment, wouldn't it? The problem was that, although it was fabulous acting, it was never quite as flawless as Lawrence's, and Hutcherson never really spoke to me as Peeta. It was an okay.

      I thought that the movie was paced wonderfully. There was never too much of a wait between the action, and the flow throughout the movie was incredible. 

      The problem I will always have with movies based off books that I have read is that they don't follow the exact plot from the book. The Hunger Games was no exception. Although the decisions regarding these scenes were probably made for a good reason, I wasn't a big fan of the changes made from the book, including the major change made with the Mockingjay pin. I found that the new version of it didn't make any sense; why would someone give away something so so valuable, and after Katniss gave the pin to Prim "for good luck," after obviously not working for luck (Prim got chosen for the Games), why Prim would give it back to Katniss. I also didn't like how they chose to sneak the pin into the arena instead of having the rule of one token per tribute.

      I also hated the shaky camera. Although setting the feeling for the scene, it was used way too much (Katniss standing in her bedroom - really?) and was way too much for me to handle. I did happen to see it in IMAX, so I might find that it is a great improvement when watching it in my basement, but on the big screen it was way to hard to follow the fight scenes.

      Overall, I think this movie was amazing. I will gladly re-watch it over and over. The acting, pacing, and dialogue really stood out to me, and made up for the disappointments from the shaky camera and the plot differences from the book. I would recommend this book and/or movie to anyone 11+ (fyi movie is rated PG-13, for violence) who enjoys dystopian/science fiction, or looking for a good action movie. When comparing The Hunger Games book versus the movie, I would have to say I think the book is better, and my favorite out of the two (but that will almost always be my thoughts for movies based off of books - I love the original!) Let's all hope that The Hunger Games's sequel, "Catching Fire," (coming out November 2013) will be as fantastic as the first!

Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice
By: Jane Austen
Pages: 411
Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Recommended to: Girls, ages 12+





      Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, is the classical tale of the Bennet sisters. The two eldest, Jane and Elizabeth, are great friends, and the three youngest sisters are young, silly, and a source of embarrassment for both Jane and Elizabeth. Their father, a country squire, and his wife, silly, girlish, Mrs. Bennet, must marry off their five daughters. Jane is the kindest soul to ever walk the planet, always thinking the best of everybody, and never criticizing anything. Elizabeth, the main character, is more willful, spirited, and sensible than her sisters, although very headstrong. Studious Mary, tag-along Kitty, and romantic, shallow Lydia are the youngest of the sisters. When rich Mr. Bingley buys Netherfield, a house in their neighborhood, Jane falls in love with him, and him with her. His friend, Mr. Darcy, accompanies him to Netherfield. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth clash at first, with much pride and predjudice standing in their way, but might slowly begin to doubt their first impression of each other.
      Jane Austen masterly weaves together this romantic, intriguing novel. With plot twists, much character development, humor, and wit, it is no wonder this novel is such a famous, well-known classic. I enjoyed every page of this book, the old-English language, and it's descriptions. While the ending was a bit obvious, the road to it was creative, and I highly recommend you to read it!

I Would Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You

I Would Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You
By: Ally Carter
Pages: 288
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Rating: A-
Recommended to: Girls ages 10-14





      I Would Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You, by Ally Carter, is a cute, spunky, and heartfelt novel about 15 year-old Cammie "the Chameleon" Morgan, who attends a top-secret girl's spy school, the Gallagher Girl's Academy. On a Covert Operations assignment in their town of Roseville, Virginia, Cammie meets Josh, a normal boy who seems to like her for who she is. Of course, Cammie can't reveal her true identity to him, so she makes up an elaborate cover. It's tough to sneak out at night with her mother as headmistress; do well in school, where she is learning college level subjects; deal with her snotty new roommate, Macey McHenrey; and date Josh. But with her best friends and genius' by her side, Liz and Bex, and the help of Macey, she might make it through.
      The comical writing of Ally Carter lets a realistic, funny Cammie shine through. The plot, although sometimes droning on for a bit, is good, and the other characters are well formed. Her struggles seem (somewhat) realistic, and I was never very bored. The one problem I found with this book was that it seemed like Cammie had struggles, and her friends always helped her out, but they never had problems themselves. They didn't have boyfriends, but she did. Sure, Cammie is the main character, but it seemed like it was ALL about her. Overall, this book is a great, quick read, and I will definitely read the next four books in the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games
By: Suzanne Collins
Pages: 374
Scholastic Inc., 2008
Genre: Dystopian fiction
Rating: A+
Recommended to: Girls and boys, ages 11+




      The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is an AMAZING book that most of you have already read. However, with this being one of my all-time favorites, I wanted to start off my blog with it's review.
      Far in the future, in present-day North America, a country called Panem is the home of main character Katniss Everdeen. She lives in the poorest district, District 12, with her mother and beloved sister Primrose (nicknamed Prim). Prim gets picked for the Hunger Games, and annual event in Panem. One boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are placed in an arena where they fight to the death on live television. Katniss desperately volunteers to take her sister's place. Not out of jealousy, false hopes of being crowned victor, or duty, as some did in the wealthier districts, but out of love for her sister. The District 12 boy that joins her is Peeta Mellark, whose troubling actions and a memory from the past lead Katniss to confusion, battling how she must act on camera versus what is real, and her true feelings. Katniss must fulfill her promise to Prim, and try to win the Hunger Games, but also save Peeta, as their status as star-crossed lovers permits nothing else. Will she be able to survive the Hunger Games?
      This book has an exciting plot, and I found myself turning pages mechanically. It was always exciting - it is perfectly paced and beautifully well written. Katniss has a realistic personality, and makes mistakes that she has to fix. The other characters are formed perfectly, and I found myself loving, hating, and wondering about them just like they were real people. It's cliff-hanger ending will make you need to read it's sequel, Catching Fire, and the third book in the bestseller trilogy, Mockingjay! I highly recommend this book.

Hello

Hi!

Welcome to Butterfly Reader, my new blog where I will post reviews of books and some movies. The book reviews will be of books I have just finished, or are some of my favorites that I want to recommend. Most books I will review will be suitable for mostly girls (and some for boys) ages 10 or 11 to 14 or 15, but I will specify in the review.

I will start posting reviews Sunday, July 29th, 2012.

If you have any tips, comments, questions, or ideas, contact me at butterfly.reader.blog@gmail.com.

Thank you, and I hope you like my blog!

-Butterfly