May the odds be ever in your favor.

Rating: 7/10 (22 March 2012)

One of the year's most anticipated film The Hunger Games is a tight, suspenseful but woefully acted film that boasts on its right buildup and crazy suspense, it's a must see movie of the year.
I've read the Hunger Games a year before the movie and this is not because I heard the movie is in production, because I saw it on a bookstore. Being a sucker for YA novels, I got drawn on it. I read the plot and bought the book afterwards. The novel is a fast, electrifying read, cranked with terror, suspense and instilling fear. But I think everything's handled in a gentle way, not unlike similar novels: Battle Royale, Running Man and The Long Walk, which makes sense since it's targeted for teens that I am.
And now, I had the chance to watch the film, I'm exhilarated by it, excited to see how they pump up and make everything from my imagination to the silver screen.
The movie's main premise is wisely introduced by its first scenes, the gritty shot of District 12 shows how dilapidated life on Panem is, the greasy and brooding life on District 12 is just how I imagined it to be. The movie is pretty faithful to the books, though I'm amused by it, some points didn't really hit me, I don't know, I feel something is lacking. I thought that all novels can't be translated well to film, especially if it's faithful as this one.
Lawrence played Katniss exceptionally well, she embodied her, took the character and gave out all her best to show Katniss. Josh Hutcherson is stunning as well, the perfect Peeta I must say. But even with the strong supporting cast, the acting didn't really support the film. I felt it is bland as it can be, the supposed to be emotional death of Rue just passed like it's a certain boring scene with Cinna.
Also one of my main problems of the film is how bad The Capitol and setting in the Arena and the Districts blends. They don't blend at all. It really differs and it appeared like the Capitol is in space.
With a nice buildup, the Games is really worth seeing. The countdown and the Cornucopia bloodbath really had my blood pumping and my senses skyrocketing, the eerie silence used in the scene is really impressive.
And again, I think they missed the point of the book: survival. Here, it shows how easy Katniss found water and food. The death scenes are nice, less is more. They don't need to dwell on blood and gore, it's effective, they are all real.
The shaky cam work is good at times but I'm disappointed that they used for almost the action scenes. It's vomiting and makes you irked. I have to give my kudos to Isabelle Fuhrman for playing the scary Clove!
Overall, the Hunger Games is an amazing adaptation, Ross and his production team clearly seamed the whole movie very well. But right at this point, I'm still lukewarm, I think I need a second viewing. With that, I give the film a solid 7 and wishes the film that all the odds will be ever in their favor.