Breathtaking and perfect

Rating: 10/10 (30 November 2013)

Just to let you know, I am a HUGE fan of the books. They were simply amazing in every way. And I also thought the first movie wasn't that great. It just felt a bit sloppy, weak and just wasn't "The Hunger Games" So when I went to watch this movie in theaters I wasn't expecting a lot.
But the movie was absolutely amazing. Let me comment on a few things.
I had always been worried about how the director would squeeze everything that happens in the book into two and a half hours. But it was surprisingly well paced while still remaining entertaining and understandable. Some parts where left out, like Bonnie and Twill, Haymitch's Games and the training scores, but it was almost unnoticeable. Much better than the first film which felt a little long while still excluding much of what happened in the book.
Special effects were stunning and much better than the first film. For example, the fog and monkeys were fantastic, and the scene where Katniss blows the arena up is very well done.
The acting was incredible. Jennifer Lawrence has that ability to make the audience feel what Katniss is feeling, and it really adds to the movie. Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth really knew their characters well, and also did good. Sam Claflin and Jena Malone were perfect for Finnick and Johanna.
But my favorite part of this movie is how it managed to capture the feel, the emotion, the importance of every scene. You are really... feeling the movie in a way I have never seen before. Gary Ross did an OK job on the first film, but really could not create much emotion for any of the characters or situations, which left us a little confused and almost bored. All in all, great movie that bested the first one in almost every way possible. Perfect.