so close to perfection, if only!

Rating: 8/10 (24 March 2012)

I've read and loved the books, the Hunger Games being my most favorite. I more or less have it memorized. I am a tough critic when it comes to book to movie adaptations, however I'm not nit-picky when it comes to every little detail. I'm writing this review because I think this movie missed a MAJOR part of the heart of the novel. I loved so much about this movie, which is why I'm so disappointed practically the most important aspect (Peeta/Katniss's relationship) was so underdeveloped.
The cinematography was irritating at times. I understand why they did it during the reaping to avoid a more mature rating, but at the beginning when we're being introduced to district 12 it was so shaky I was getting dizzy.
Overall I loved the casting. Stanley Tucci was probably the most perfect of all, absolutely everything I could have asked for. Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Donald Sutherland and Woody Harrelson were all very solid. Liam Hemsworth did great as the protective, brooding Gale. Each of the tributes were very much like I imagined them. I was so unbelievably thrilled Josh Hutcherson was cast as Peeta. I couldn't imagine anyone else to play him. I had really high hopes, and wasn't disappointed by his skills, just that the screenwriters barely gave him a chance to use them. While I thought it was cool they showed the game-maker Seneca Crane, he ended up with way more screen time then Peeta, a far more important character. We barely get to see the story of how Peeta helped Katniss. The cave scenes were so cut off! I understand they couldn't put the whole week or however long was written in the book, but that whole part of the story was so rushed we almost wonder why they bothered putting it in at all. The aspect of how worried Peeta is for her, how she's conflicted as she kisses him as Haymitch instructs wasn't there. The little things that made us love the charismatic, passionate and sweet Peeta Mellark were nowhere to be found. And now to Jennifer Lawrence. Obviously, she did a fantastic job as a whole with Katniss. Capturing her fire, anger, fear, determination and pride. But at the fault of the screen writers, not well done was her chemistry with Peeta. We know she doesn't love him like he loves her, but the things that she feels with his sacrificial love weren't anywhere to be found in her eyes, or expressions. All we see her do is feed him broth with an impatient kiss, and patch him up and they were on their merry way. I'm wondering even if the cave scenes had been longer played out, if any sparks at all between them would be there. Because, Jennifer is 21, mysterious, and to be blunt, sexy. Katniss is a young, wiry half starved 16 year old. Josh is 19, adorable, broad chested, and charming. Peeta is 16, stocky, and every bit as lovable. Again, I'm not saying Jennifer wasn't a great Katniss because she did it pretty darn well. But youthful Josh fits Peeta to a T and Jennifer is a brilliant, all grown up, gorgeous woman. Something about them just didn't match up, or feel right. I think the most of the blame goes to the screenwriters, but I can't help but wonder if there might have been a just as good younger choice for Katniss so the perfect Peeta/her chemistry could have been there.
That being said, overall this was one of the closest book to movie adaptations I've ever seen. The emotional/disturbing content of the Hunger Games was done excellently. I just hope the screenwriters give Josh Hutcherson a chance going in to the sequel, because if they can't get their relationship right the rest of the series will be a waste.