Good but not worth all the hype

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2012)

I didn't intend to see this movie as my taste in over-hyped blockbusters easily waned alongside my clocking my early twenties. I stumbled into the theater as a result of schedule change with the movie I wanted to see having being shifted. The hype though still succeeded in affecting my curiosity so I went to see this.
I haven't read the books no. Though I have taken a word or two from past reviews knowing its a first person narrative organized in a post-Apocalyptic future, written by movie writer and Author Suzanne Collins.
Though set in a post-Apocalyptic world, its not your regular post-Apocalyptic movie. You'd have had residual damaged cities, sparse population and..... maybe flesh eating zombies as they usually do. The beginning of the movie was promising I must say.
There have been mention of poor characterization of the tributes with the exception of Woody Harrelson's and Elizabeth Banks' characters respectively. Then there's that of physical portrayal; Katniss and the tributes from the other districts do not seem to be going hungry- and then the exploitation of the districts, haven been a major plot point in the books is barely seen in this motion picture.
In my opinion Effie Trinket was captivating. Elizabeth Banks really does justice to her. Woody Harrelson was especially brushed up as Haymitch. His lines kept me laughing at times but it was Jennifer Lawrence who stole the show even though its said she is not starved enough. The fears, inner strength and purposefulness she shows all seem very moving and quite carries the movie on its own but Josh Hutcherson's Peeta was quite flat. Though I haven't read the book, it seemed unconvincing and lacked emotional depth affecting the dynamic between him and Katniss. If he had been lost in the games, I doubt anyone would really miss him save for the fourteen year old girls with the buzz of "guy loves girl loves guy" triangles in the air from the twilight sagas. Even Katniss' chemistry with Liam Hemsworth's character, though not in romantic terms seemed to carry a lot more weight.
There may be a lot more to the entire story than shown in this movie and its a pretty average made huge budget blockbuster compared to the hype all over it. Apart from the opening scenes that portray a hungry society that seems to have lost hope, the rest of the story lacked depth. The arena battle lacked any tension. It was like watching chronicles of Narnia without the magic.I don't want to start on the stereotypical tributes of the other districts even though there was a fine attempt to minimize the on-screen violence for the sake of the much younger viewer understandably to attract a wider Audience. They seemed like they were all having fun in the jungle.
For Katniss and Amandla Sternberg's character as Rue, I give this movie a 7 and I'd recommend a few bucks for it. Don't expect much. Maybe the sequel does better. Enjoy