Not good...

Rating: 2/10 (1 July 2012)

I've never reviewed a film before but after seeing this I couldn't help myself. I have read the books (and enjoyed each one thoroughly). The author managed to surprise and entice me throughout Katniss' experiences, making each chapter intensely thrilling.
The film leaves a lot to be desired. I personally do not think that Jennifer Lawrence makes a good Katniss (sorry Laurence fans), as she is too polished, too pretty and too old. Katniss is supposed to be sixteen and far more child like - and it would have been to the film's merit if they had cast someone younger. Peeta is awful too - although Collins states in the books that he and Gale are supposed to be good-looking, the filmmakers have made too much of this. Each character lacks any of the depth you get from reading the books, in particular Caesar Flickerman, who in the books was an approachable, uncle-type character, but lacks any sort of sympathy for the characters in the film.
A gut-wrenching moment in the book is the death of little Rue, however it is a mere inconvenience in the film and it continues with none of Katniss' regret or misery at having lost the life of the child.
The fight Katniss experiences to get food and water is completely ignored throughout the first part of the arena as well, negating The Hunger Games theme entirely. The books are also very brutal, explicitly describing the deaths in the arena - but the film has dumbed it down in order to make it a PG 13, and so the deaths in the arena are barely even noticeable despite the fact we are supposed to be outraged at the Capitol for having put the children there to die.
The film seemed eager to rush through the story, making it feel unfinished and shabby.
I could go on and on - needless to say, read the books because they are amazing...and if you have read the books, don't watch the film! Thanks for reading.