My Thoughts On The Hunger Games Movie...

This Post May Be Slightly Spoilerish: Read At Your Own Risk!!

I had originally intended on writing this post late Friday night after getting home from seeing The Hunger Games. But then I realized that I was going to need a few days to process the movie. This series is my favorite and I had fears going into the movie. How could it possibly be as amazing as the book? I knew that it could either go two ways: I was going to hate it, or I was going to be blown away. Did either of these things happen? No.

Surprisingly, the things that I thought I was going to love about the movie were the things that I didn't actually care for and the things I thought I was going to hate (ahem- Peeta) I actually enjoyed. As with all movies that originate from books, I felt a lot was left out. I understand that this has to be done since there is no way you can squeeze an entire book into two hours. I think, for me, missing some of the minor events took something away from the experience. I felt a little rushed, and I also felt a little cheated for those people who hadn't read the book but opted to see the movie first. I don't know how they can get the full impact of this amazing story with what the movie presented. Here's a breakdown of the parts I was disappointed in:

• Special Effects - These did not pass my inspection. I'll admit that I am not really into big special effects and have a hard time believing them as there and true. 
• The Capitol - While the design was quite nice, once again I took issues with the special effects. Also, I hated the citizens' costumes! Yes I know they were supposed to be outrageous and tacky, but I didn't feel like they were all that they could be. I couldn't believe the characters as authentic.
• The Fight Scenes - Not nearly as gory as they should have been. I wanted more action!
• The Cinematography - I wasn't a fan of the slow-to-fast scenes, as well as that shaky camera trick. 

Hopefully these things will all be improved by the next movie. Maybe I will even feel better about it when I watch it again at home. Even though these things bothered me, I still found quite a bit enjoyable:

• The Acting - So good!!! I've never seen Jennifer Lawrence act before and I knew there was a lot of talk about her not having the chops to pull it off. I was pleasantly surprised and found her completely believable. The same can be said for all the other characters.
• Peeta and Gale - My biggest concern going into this movie was the actors portraying Peeta and Gale. Those characters made me swoon out of control and I hated who they cast. That was NOT me idea of Peeta! However, I found myself really liking him too. Even Gale! Both actors did an amazing job and I fell in love with Peeta all over again. I also have to admit that Gale was pretty hot :)
• The Scenery - All special effects aside, the scenery was perfect. Beautiful green trees and the woods were just as I imagined them. 
• "Those" Scenes - You know the ones I'm talking about. I'll admit it, I got a little choked up. 

Overall, I liked the movie. Did it have some issues? Sure, but what movie doesn't? I'll definitely be pre-ordering the movie on DVD as soon as it is available and watching it another hundred times :)

Just a little something else about my movie-going experience. Parents: SHUT YOUR KIDS UP!!! If you are going to take a group of tween girls to a movie, maybe lay down some ground rules before entering the theater so not to ruin the movie for everyone else. The theater was packed (of course) and lucky us we got stuck in a row in front of a bunch of tweens. They screamed, yelled, loudly sobbed and wouldn't shut up no matter how many times people shushed them. That was until my husband told them to shut it. Yes I know yelling at kids is not good, but we couldn't take it anymore. It was out of control. Their parents just sat there and did nothing as they screamed repeatedly and screamed "I love you, Peeta!!!" every time he came on screen. Another thing: Adults, shut off your damn phones! It is pretty damn rude to be taking pictures of yourself when the screen is saying to silence and turn off your phones. Yes, someone actually started taking pictures at that very moment. Then the ladies next to me wouldn't turn off their phone and was constantly checking her Facebook. Rude! But my biggest issue came when finally, finally, we come to the cave scene. The ladies next to me (phone ladies) had obviously read the books and must know that the cave scene is a big deal. I've been dying to see that scene in live action ever since reading it. Why, oh why, rude lady next to me, did you have to ruin it? You knew it was coming, you knew what the scene was. Why ruin it by complaining through it? What happened to manners? Please people, if you are taking your kids to the movies, shut them up! If my kids made even a quarter of the noise these kids were making, I would have removed them immediately or told them to be quiet. And adults, can't you put down your toys and stop complaining for two hours and be courteous to those around you who are trying desperately to enjoy the film? Ack! 

Alright, I'm sorry about that rant. I just had to let it out. I've been holding it in for three days and it was eating me alive. 

Did I like the movie? Yes! Do I recommend it? Hell yes! What about those books? Are they worth your time? Double hell yes!!! If you haven't read these books yet, drop whatever it is you are doing and go read them right now. Then take yourself out on a date this weekend (or take that special someone) and see the movie!!

Oh! I almost forgot. My husband has apparently been living under a rock and didn't think the movie was a big deal. I told him I wanted to be at least an hour and a half early to get a good spot in line cause I knew it was going to be insane. The husband said that was way too early, there's no way it's going to be so busy, so I caved and we went to Barnes & Noble for a little while. Well what do you know, on the way in the theater half an hour later, we saw three girls bawling, about five people wearing the shirts and a million people standing around inside. After getting in line behind maybe 75-100 people, many wearing homemade "Team Peeta" shirts, he finally understood. His defense? "Well how was I supposed to know? It's not like it's Star Wars." Do they ever learn?

Did you see the movie? What did you think?