The Hunger Games left me wanting more

Rating: 9/10 (1 April 2012)

I was a bit worried that I wouldn't like The Hunger Games movie, but I shouldn't have worried -- it was terrific! I loved the books and devoured them, so was a bit nervous about seeing the film. I couldn't find fault with the film. It was just as smart as the first book, lots of action, scary bits and romantic bits, thrills and chills. The folks who put this together definitely did well with casting -- love seeing Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence and Alexander Ludwig all grown up and doing well -- the sets were reminiscent of Brazil (another movie I love) and the writing was first-rate.
Elizabeth Banks was hilarious, Stanley Tucci (such a great actor) was fabulous, Woody Harrelson was great and even the short time Lenny Kravitz was on screen showed some acting chops. Of course, Donald Sutherland was terrific. The costumes were pretty wild, which really helped keep the otherworldliness of the 13 districts alive.
The parts that were changed didn't really interfere with the story, which was a nice departure from other teen films based on best-selling novels. It didn't hurt that Suzanne Collins helped write the screenplay. I was so surprised when the movie was over -- I kept thinking, surely it's almost over but I don't want it to end. While the second and third books weren't as strong to me as the first, I am still anxious to see the films hopefully being made from the final two chapters of Katness and Peta's story.
A must see!