I really like this film!

Rating: 8/10 (24 October 2012)

I was chatting with a friend about his latest reading material and he'd been reading the HG trilogy. He said I wouldn't like it much as I'm more into supernatural/horror. I gave the first HG book a go, and LOVED it!!!! The writing was well paced and very enjoyable, and so naturally, I wanted to see the film. I have to say, I was more impressed with it the second time round, and to be honest, I get a bit miffed when people pick it to bits.
Not everything is explained in the film, but it doesn't need to be if you open your mind and imagine yourself in that situation. Although I'd read the book, the first time I watched the film, I wondered when Jennifer Lawrence was actually going to do something. Then I remembered that her character Katniss was thrust into this fancy world she'd never seen before and crowds were screaming, cameras all over the place, no wonder she was confused. I got that in the end and sympathised with her.
I liked the occasional jerky camera footage, simply because it highlights how messed up the situation is. You're a child thrown into the lion's den and forced to protect yourself or die. I'm a fan of watching the special features on a DVD, and a lot of the techniques are explained in these, the camera angles included.
The one scene that chokes me up every time is the part with Rue, and Katniss really shows her humanity and vulnerability. It's not necessary for there to be mountains of story for these two, you understand their bond straight away.
There is very little blood in this film, but once again, there doesn't need to be. The subject matter on its own is horrific and unimaginable, and I believe that the author as well as the film director did a fantastic job in capturing the despair and determination. The cast did a great job too, and although I did like some performances a lot more than others, I'll be interested to see how they fare in Catching Fire.