Great effects, decent version of the film, but characterization lacking...

Rating: 7/10 (25 March 2012)

I read the books for this series based on the recommendations of friends. The amount of screen time given to this part of the story gave me a lot of hope. The effects overall are excellent. Once the kids get to the arena, the effects really nail the scenes from the books. My one complaint is where the contestants enter the arena, I had kind of hoped for a bit more with the flames, but oh well.
Overall, the story sticks to the plot and scenes from the book, which is nice. Some of the additions/subtractions make good sense for the film. I did miss the Mayor's daughter who gives Katniss her Mockingjay pin though, but again, it makes sense with the time allowed.
My biggest complaint was in the character development. You get none of the explanation for why Katniss is closed off and survival driven. No real reason to appreciate Cinna and what he brings to the story. None of the appeal of the Rue. You also miss out on the fans reaction to events in the arena (food being sent to Katniss from Rue's District). Rue herself is a sympathetic character, but you get none of the back-story involved with her, her district, or why it is so important overall when Katniss decides to trust her in the arena. I understand the need to cut some things out so that the story doesn't run to 4hrs, but it helps when you actually feel some attraction to the characters on screen.
While I liked the movie, I didn't feel any real connection to the characters on screen. Since one of the things I enjoyed so much about the books was the characters in them, I can't help but miss them in the movies.
Overall a good movie for the effects and sticking to the books, but I hope that a bit more time is spent on the next two developing the characters.