True to the Book (Pretty Much)

Rating: 9/10 (23 March 2012)

It's tough to translate a book into a movie, but I think this is probably one of the best I've ever seen. I don't like going to a movie and having it be very different from the book- this isn't like that. For the most part it stays true to the book, which readers are going to appreciate.
I was not convinced that Woody Harrelson was going to work as Haymitch. He turned out to be excellent! When I read the book I pictured someone older, but Harrelson makes this work and was the highlight of all the scenes he was in. Elizabeth Banks IS Effie Trinket. She is EXACTLY as you picture her when reading and does an excellent job of bring Effie to life. Jennifer Lawrence does a great job as Katniss. I'll admit, I had my doubts about her, too. She brings Katniss to life and her performance is better than I ever imagined. But it is Stanley Tucci who steals the show. His portrayal of Caesar Flickerman is spot on (except for the blue skin which is in the book!). Both Harrelson and Tucci got many laughs from the audience. The way Tucci smiles that crazy smile makes him endearing even though the audience should really hate him (considering what his job actually is).
The only part that I'm not convinced about is Josh Hutcherson as Peeta. He played the part well, but it's not an award winning performance and I think it's kind of flat. Teenage girls will not care about that at all and I can already see a Team Peeta and Team Gale war breaking out. :)
My biggest complaint about the film is the cinematography. I understand the effect the director was going for, but at times the picture was so shaky it literally hurt my eyes and I couldn't focus on anything. I did not care for that at all and it detracted from the film in a big way (other people were complaining about it at the theater).
Overall this was an excellent rendition of the book and I think it was very well acted and scripted.