a mess

Rating: 3/10 (6 November 2012)

I wanted to like this movie, after having read about it being about resistance to a tyrannical government. After watching it, I can only assume this is one of those movies where if you have not read the book, it will not make sense.
Two examples.
1. The relationship between Katniss and the first boy we see, and her more intense relationship with her fellow tribute. Clearly both are in love with her, but there is no real resolution of what her feelings for them are. Not good movie-making.
2. There is, of course, one scene which appears to show some sort of uprising in her district, but it is very vague how it starts (because of the hand sign?) and there is no follow up or discussion of what it means and whether it is successful. In fact, not much is said at all about the exact nature of the government and whether people are chafing under it.
A final pet peeve. The idea that small girls like Rue and Katniss's sister would be pitted against some of the bloodthirsty tributes is simply ridiculous. And even the idea that Katniss could compete against them (without firearms) is a stupid Hollywood (liberal) wet-dream.