average sci-fi adaptation

Rating: 6/10 (25 March 2012)

Like many films based on books peoples opinions will vary dramatically based on the source material. I haven't read the book this film was based on so I can't make a comparison and can only judge it based on how it fares against other sci-fi. That being said...
The things I enjoyed about the film wold have to be the acting, which was strong enough to carry the film, especially the lead actress. Supporting cast was also entertaining. The effects and sets were good and not overdone. Decent dialogue and costumes as well.
Things that set it back for me. Definitely the overuse of close up with shaky camera. Very distracting. Editing was also a distraction for me as well as it seemed choppy. But my main issue was the lack of violence.
It would seem to me that to demonstrate the stark misguided nature of this society the main characters (very well developed too) would have to suffer great anguish. The film seemed too PG-13 for me and left it very unbalanced. The horror that is the violence of the arena, much less using children, is just not there so the film really lacks the hard edge it would seem this screenplay needed to be effective.
All in all though it was an enjoyable film well made for it's target audience, young women. I rate it 6.0 compared to sci-fi classics that hold the deserved rating of 7.0 and 8.0.