Review and Analysis: "Hey Katniss, how about that kiss?"

Rating: 8/10 (9 July 2012)

Bias: Having read the book a year ago, I am more likely to fill in plot holes and character development mentally.
When this movie was announced I expected it to be down the line studio filmmaking at its most mediocre like many lesser book adaptations, but came out quite impressed with how the film turned out. This movie stands on its own so you don't get any of that "Well it makes sense if you've read the book". As far as the adaptation goes this movie maintains every major plot point from the book without much change. The movie is limited by its format running time pushing everything in at a faster than preferred pace, but takes advantage of the third person narrative showing a few welcome and crucial scenes. Reactions outside the arena from the nation's districts, Katniss' hometown, and one on one's between Head Game Maker Seneca Crane and President Snow offer better and less obvious character development than the book.
21 Year-Old and Rather Attractive Oscar Nominee Jennifer Lawrence as 16 Year-Old Katniss Everdeen The acting in the film is strong all across the board. Obviously the major role of Katniss Everdeen carries the film and Jennifer Lawrence who though seems just a tiny bit too old to play sixteen humanizes the strong female protagonist very well. Small roles like Effie Trinkett, Cinna, Haymitch and Gale (a major character later in the series) are played really well and put to good use. Though my favourite had to be Stanley Tucci in the fun role of Caesar Flickerman. I thought Game Maker Seneca Crane is set up better here as the main antagonist than in the book and looks cool. Josh Hutcherson (who like Lawrence is also a fan of the series) is the only one I would have a complaint about, as he is less charming here than depicted in the book ("Hey Katniss, how about that kiss?"). My guess is that he either played to his limitations, was cut from much of the film, or it was decided he was to be taken more seriously as a love interest, but this might make him lack as a strong alternative later in the series. Which could get interesting.
Minor criticisms I would make are that the adaptation should have been even more bold venturing outside its faithful route (The character of Foxface though necessary in the novel is a fun distraction that doesn't add a whole lot to the film). The climax of the film lacks a truly strong payoff that the book had but also trades that in for planting the seeds for a series. There is nothing truly remarkable or stand out about this film that led me to think much about it afterwards, other than the fan fervor of counting the proceeds of its success. Many complaints of the film stem from the use of shaky cam. Though the film could use more wide shots, as it is beautifully filmed, I find it actually adds to the frenetic pacing of being in the arena, and is not as annoying or overused as in other such films as "The Bourne Ultimatum". It also should be known that this was one of the tactics employed by the producers to cut the film for a PG-13 rating, both to exercise more money and stay true to the authour's request. The rating is really played to the edge as it is still very bloody so I actually applaud the studio for maintaining the books vision as well as being consistent and not limited by its rating.
In my opinion I thought the themes left unexplored in the novel aside from; Personal Independence and Satirization of the Media especially Reality Television, were hinted at but unused to their full extent, which would highly elevate the material. This includes comparisons to the Holy Roman Empire and French Revolution, Poverty, Class Warfare, Governnent Oppression, "Big Brother" a la George Orwell (though that's pretty overdone nowadays). The bright side is that there is plenty of this to play around with in the series' future.
Bottom line This is a very strong solid film with great execution that is worth seeing in theatres, and deserves the praise its getting. The groundwork is strong for a series and it overall is a very good time. It's just not the R-rated magnum opus I would have it be having taken more risks.
Ridiculous comparisons: Better than "John Carter", "X-Men", "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" and "Mission: Impossible III". On par with "21 Jump Street", "50/50", "Inception" and "Spider-Man". Not as good as "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring", "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", or "Batman Begins".