Nobody seemed hungry

Rating: 5/10 (4 April 2012)

I love movies, and was really looking forward to seeing the Hunger Games. I had seen all the trailers, all the interviews with the actors, and read most of the critic's reviews. I was so bored. Jennifer Lawrence is a good actress, and just comes across as likable and down to earth. She's also unusual looking and natural, so she's believable as Katniss Everdeen. Gale is just obviously so must better looking than Peeta, there is no competition and there was no chemistry between Katniss and Peeta whatsoever, or if there was I didn't sense it. Katniss seemed to pity Peeta, and it didn't help matters that Katniss was taller than Peeta, like a big sister and little brother. I loved watching Stanley Tucci more than any other actor. Donald Sutherland seemed barely awake. Wes Bentley was just pretty to look at...those EYES. Woody Harrelson as the tortured soul wore me out with his anger and disappointment. Elizabeth Banks was supposed to be annoying as Effie and she was. Casting could've been better. Too much time in the same place...the forest. I found myself looking at my watch and wishing it was over. And, though there were references to hunting for food, and 'make sure they don't starve,' nobody looked hungry or skinny or very concerned about food, event when there were tables full of lustrous desserts. Maybe my expectations were too high, but it just seems like the characters were one dimensional, the story wasn't explained very well, and the settings were without visual variance. The costumes were interesting...as if everyone was trying to out-weird each other. Then, in the next scene, they would dress Katniss in a traditional gown, minimal make up, elegant hair. So...not clear on what the fashion trends of the times were in this movie. The "fire" was genius, and I would've enjoyed seeing more of those types of visual effects. Maybe the sequel will be better. Maybe the books are better.