The Hunger Games

Life is indeed a game, you win great or lose badly.. Especially, if you're fighting for your dear life. You also need to fight not only for your self, but also to the country who are deprived from happiness.

Of course, I did not read the book. Curiously, I am looking at those big billboards before at National Bookstore to buy these books. From Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay, it was famous but not as famous from other so called Young Adult books like Twilight or even Percy Jackson. I'm not sure if Harry Potter is also considered a young adult books. But anyway, anybody buys it and I was surprised that this book is a hit even with its competition.

My expectations for this film, not very high. Why? Because of one of the great films depicting about youth fighting till death. Battle Royale. I cannot remove that comparison in this movie, well.. That was changed after I watched this film. Another expectation I was really want to see, is Jennifer Lawrence. Let's see if she can do well in commercial films. As I saw her in XMEN first class, although her role is not that wide as other main actors have, let's see if she can bring this film with her as a lead role.

After a whopping 2 and a half hours seating in a good SM cinema seat, especially after 3 weeks it was shown already... I felt good about the movie. A boundary between good and great, that's how I felt. Let's go first for the bad news. First problem is although the movie is already long, I hope they had more details about the story itself. And that's the problem I had for the first parts of the story.. It has a different beginning that I thought since this is a different world. I mean good introduction but after that, goes right away to the district 12. I hope they were able to show all districts in one long shot.. I mean to really understand the Panem world. I knew right away, with that great costume design and set up, it's like Brazil. Brazil has tons of great shots of the city itself in the future, what people or politics work. In this one, it has quite short of the introduction of the world that wants to show.. Although the books according to wiki, it really focuses in district 12. I can't help forgive this film from that.

Another one, hmmmm some confusion about the stars. Like Donald Sutherland's character, I mean is he really good or what, bad, crazy, I don't know. Even, Wes Bentley's character, I can say, he is damn confused. Nothing wrong about Wes, it's just about the character. Maybe both of them are the great effects of a totalitarian or dictative climate. No rules shall be bent.

I though of maybe they were written in that way. I don't know.. Geez two hours and a half is not enough for those guys. How about Woody Harrelson's character, not overqualified actor for him but he's bit short for that character. I mean I wanted more of him, like his past and what he really intends to do. But sadly, that only shown at the end. Damn..

Lastly, yes, I know it's PG13, but seriously, for that kind of violence or action, they should have gone all the way. The gore, killing styles, come on.. That's not young adult already.. They can just gone all the way, but since they want a faithful adaption of the book and yes, the theme is like that. Well, can't help as well.. Forgive them anyway. I mean, to capture the same audiences of the book, they need to do that anyway. But I don't think Battle Royale was written for that, or even Lord of the Flies.. When it comes to violence or action packed films, most of them do all the way. Some of the action flicks or thrillers fail these days because they don't do it all the way. I mean, not that violent like gore, more blood and sort of, but just the pace itself. Like Die Hard 4, it's PG13 but they managed to tone down the violence and cursing yet, I love it than Die Hard 2. So, for this film, it's just damn, more camera work.. Less blood, no gore but pure running, archery.. And push for more love. Well, do that in Battle Royale, it won't work.

Good things!!!! Yes, I can't compare this to Battle Royale because of one thing. The world they into living. Hunger Games, they were living in a world that this totally dictatorship, and each district has to do their own living according only what they can do, and nothing else.. The only supreme city above those districts is the Capitol. The Brazil like city. They do these games to avoid war and conflict, and yes, like what the President says, reduced hope. I can compare the great costumes or inventions to the film Brazil. Not the whole film but some bits of it. The eccentric costumes and how the city is set up and the looks of the characters in Capitol, the designers were inspired by the film Brazil. Except perhaps yes the whole film and plastic surgery.

Hmmmm you gotta give credit to the editing. I mean, I never mind it's taking too long, boring.. But due to the fast pace set up of the film.. I was never bored and kept asking for more until the end. Great editing..

I can give credit to the Director, I'm divided that he will not direct the sequels but for me, that's his decision.. I give credit to him not making the film boring, but I got interested as well. Making the world believable, the story kept it's pace and I know he wants to make it brutal but yes, give credit to pass those actions scenes in PG13. I also give credit for using more camera and visual work... I just hope for the next director who will give these books a different look, will do more than this director or how about, go all the way for the killing. I think the next director should watch The Dark Knight more in detail.. That's going to help him a lot.. Or how about the last Harry Potter movies.. Just deliver more action and a pinch of violence..

The feel, the depth of the story.. It was delivered by the actors! Of course, from Prim, her mum.. Hmmmm Gale, which I believe his role will be widened as the sequels will go through. Peeta, great performance by that actor, from sore loser to winner, lover.. Wow Stanley Tucci, gotta give credit to that dude, he went old to this one, he became very young just wearing that weird costumes. Toby Jones as well, although less time.. Damn how many times I saw Toby Jones last year? Hmmm Wes is great, with that beard and suit. Perfect except for that character.. Geez. He should blame Woody for getting killed. Speaking of Woody, damn.. Whether it's supporting from Zombieland, Messenger to this, he's great. For the lead roles he's great as well.. He's due for an award not for this role but maybe next time.

Great on how they develop their characters, except for Elizabeth Banks.. However, I liked because on how she acts and yes her costume. The only character I was quite confused, well I like Donald Sutherland, but Lenny Kravitz? That's Lenny Kravitz? I forgot he was that beautician.. Damn.. Maybe I could go for wayans perhaps, gay but funny dudes. How about Chris Tucker in fifth Element.. A serious beautician.. Maybe gays does not exist in that book.. Geez..

Jennifer Lawrence. Wow.. Of course, it's not only I have a big crush on her.. =) But also I knew she has great acting skills. She was able to show that she's Katniss. For that role, I mean I cannot forget to think that a lot of stars can also be Katniss, for example, Abigail Breslin, Emily Browning, Chloe Moretz and others. Jennifer just got the role over them.. Wow.. The maturity of the role, Katniss, Jennifer delivered it. She also displayed the vulnerability of her role and emotions as well, especially that scene when Rue died and her hallucinations as well. How about her bravery, like in Archery. I like that scene on how she will get sponsors. Nice shot!!!

Even she is not that sexy, although you can see her curves, she is sitll beautiful. That face which is a combination of bravery and elegance.. Is just there.. I hope she used her natural hair color.. But well, her red/black hair color is fit for her. Very versatile performance, coming from a very versitile actress. What else you can ask for? Such a lovely lady.. Looking forward for the sequels, and I hope, she'll put a very another good performance.

Well, for this film, it has big flaws but was covered up with big performance lead by Jennifer. Great film.. Can't film to see it in my home in the future. But, I love Haywire more, hmmmm Underworld: Awakening, and yes.. even Chronicle, the most underrated film of the year.

For now, I enjoyed Hunger Games! I'm hungry for more!!! I don't think I need to buy the books.

Let's see what will a group of heroes do in these days.. Let them assemble first.