Approx. Runtime: 142 minutes (2 hours, 22 minutes)
Language Watched: English
Type of Movie: Drama, Action, Game-like
Overall Impression: Very enjoyable! Worth watching at least once.
SPOILER ALERT WARNING!!
This review will contain some spoilers -- or rather, there will be a "Spoilers" section at the end of the review to go into further detail about certain things. There may still be slight spoilers throughout the review, but I've tried my best to keep them at a minimum.
PERSONAL STANDING (Pre-exposures, thoughts, etc.)
All I've heard about The Hunger Games was that it was similar to the Japanese movie, Battle Royale. At that moment, I knew that I had to watch it. I deeply enjoyed watching Battle Royale and was curious just how similar The Hunger Games would be. I did not watch any trailers. I did not read anything about The Hunger Games. This is my way of building excitement and my way of keeping an open mind when I do experience it (the less I know, the less biased I will be).
STORY
In the movie, The Hunger Games is a tournament/game where one girl and one boy from each District (there are 12 Districts) between 12-18 years of age are randomly selected. Then, in a range of two weeks, they must kill each other off until there is only one survivor -- and it is televised. Stuff happens between the selection and the actual game, and during the game, but I won't go into any more detail.
PACING
For a movie that's over two hours long, the pacing is very good. A lot of information is presented which is nice for viewers who haven't read the books. I personally didn't feel any dull moments or the sense that some scenes were dragging. But... it does feel like a movie that's over two hours long. Once the movie is over, you'll know that you've been sitting there for a good chunk of time.
THE HUNGER GAMES VS. BATTLE ROYALE (PART 1)
For those who don't know, I must say this: Battle Royale came before The Hunger Games! It is not the other way around. Okay, now to continue.
So, after watching The Hunger Games, I came to this conclusion: The Hunger Games and Battle Royale are VERY different movies. I personally find the whole game aspect (participants killing each other until there's one survivor) to be the only real similarity. This is from my comparison of the movies (I will have further comment about this once I've read The Hunger Games novels).
***EDIT -- June 9, 2012 -- I have read the novel. Seeing that the novel follows closely with The Hunger Games movie, it is different from Battle Royale. ***
So... I'd advise you: if you decide to watch The Hunger Games, please do not have the mindset/expectations that The Hunger Games will be another Battle Royale. You may not be able to fully enjoy The Hunger Games if you do -- the differences will just stick out. I will go into more details of the similarities and differences in the "Spoilers" section (Battle Royale will also be spoiled so I'd suggest not reading that section if you haven't watched Battle Royale).
So, after watching The Hunger Games, I came to this conclusion: The Hunger Games and Battle Royale are VERY different movies. I personally find the whole game aspect (participants killing each other until there's one survivor) to be the only real similarity. This is from my comparison of the movies (I will have further comment about this once I've read The Hunger Games novels).
***EDIT -- June 9, 2012 -- I have read the novel. Seeing that the novel follows closely with The Hunger Games movie, it is different from Battle Royale. ***
So... I'd advise you: if you decide to watch The Hunger Games, please do not have the mindset/expectations that The Hunger Games will be another Battle Royale. You may not be able to fully enjoy The Hunger Games if you do -- the differences will just stick out. I will go into more details of the similarities and differences in the "Spoilers" section (Battle Royale will also be spoiled so I'd suggest not reading that section if you haven't watched Battle Royale).
ACTING/CHARACTERS
The acting is very good. I'll just agree with everybody else and say that Jennifer Lawrence did a good job of portraying Katniss (main girl character). Though I think everybody was good.
CHARACTERS
There are many likeable characters in The Hunger Games. I think it all depends on who you want to root for -- there will be characters you'll like and characters you'll not like. You don't really get to see much character development except for Katniss and a bit of Peeta (main guy character). Personally, I really like Rue and Peeta (He's so cute!). Cinna and Haymitch were cool, too.
MUSIC
The music is great. It fits with the atmosphere very nicely. There were some tribal-like tracks, some flowy string pieces (for the emotional moments), some high energy beats, some celtic. There were scenes when nothing would be audible except for the music -- to let you soak in those moments. And it worked.
Just to note -- there are two soundtracks to The Hunger Games: 1) The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond, and 2) The Hunger Games: Original Motion Picture Score. The first one features the songs played during the credits and then music inspired by the movie. The second one should be the actual music that's played during the movie. Just so you know in case you buy the wrong one (because I did, haha -- though I don't fully regret it).
Just to note -- there are two soundtracks to The Hunger Games: 1) The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 and Beyond, and 2) The Hunger Games: Original Motion Picture Score. The first one features the songs played during the credits and then music inspired by the movie. The second one should be the actual music that's played during the movie. Just so you know in case you buy the wrong one (because I did, haha -- though I don't fully regret it).
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Go watch The Hunger Games. If you can stomach the premise, watch it. For those who don't know, there is going to be a sequel, so don't be surprised that everything is not tied up by the end. There is only one thing I dread, and I will talk about it in the "Spoilers" section.
Thanks for reading! If you want some more input about something I didn't cover, feel free to ask. :)
Now I'll do the scrolly thing so you don't see the "Spoilers" section right away. Then I'll add some more scrolly things after the "Spoilers" section in case anybody wants to comment, but not see the spoilers.
Thanks for reading! If you want some more input about something I didn't cover, feel free to ask. :)
Now I'll do the scrolly thing so you don't see the "Spoilers" section right away. Then I'll add some more scrolly things after the "Spoilers" section in case anybody wants to comment, but not see the spoilers.
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
SPOILERS
"There is only one thing I dread..."
I'm dreading how the sequel will be like. I sense that there will be a love triangle: between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale -- or worse, an unrequited love where Peeta is the 3rd wheel. Personally, I don't want that! I want Katniss and Peeta to be together. Haha, I like Peeta's character so far, so I want him to be happy (I'm such a geek). Of course, such events have already been written in the books -- I'll just have to read it to find out (because I can't wait for the movie sequel to find out).
---------------------------------------------
The Hunger Games vs. Battle Royale (Part 2)
So here's a more detailed comparison between The Hunger Games and Battle Royale.
1. The Participants: The participants from The Hunger Games are a boy and a girl from each district (picked randomly). The participants from Battle Royale are students from one class (picked randomly). That difference alone changes the tone between the two movies -- the kind of issues that can be addressed -- the difference in character interactions.
The moral dilemma that both movies share is Can I kill another person?
Then, Battle Royale goes further, addressing Can I kill somebody I've been friends with (for possibly years or all my life)? Can I kill my classmate? A familiar face I've seen everyday since the beginning of the school year? Yes, The Hunger Games consist of a boy and a girl from each district, but that doesn't necessarily mean that boy and girl are familiar or will have any loyalties to each other. The participants in The Hunger Games can be all strangers -- which would make the killings less personal.
That said, The Hunger Games can address the issue of: Can I cross boundaries and show compassion for a complete stranger? The relationship between Katniss and Rue addressed that. When Rue died and Katniss showed so much sorrow and grief... to the point where Katniss showed her condolences and everybody from Rue's district returned the gesture... it was very moving and almost felt unifying. I don't think that can be addressed in Battle Royale at all.
2. Game Elements: There are more game elements in The Hunger Games than in Battle Royale.
In Battle Royale, there are next to no interferences from the higher-ups (Kitano), unless you try to break the rules. In Battle Royale, the "battleground" is divided into different zones. Every now and then, Kitano will announce zones that will become "danger zones" between certain time frames -- if somebody is in one of those zones during those times, their tracking collar (that's around their neck) will activate and explode. The "danger zones" are there to prevent students from squatting somewhere and letting everybody else kill each other.
Also, before the game begins, everybody has a chance to grab a knapsack (which contains a bit of food, water, and a random "weapon").
I should also mention that in Battle Royale, the students only have 3 days to kill each other. Once those 3 days is up, and there is more than one student still alive, then the collars will activate and everybody dies, leaving no winner.
In The Hunger Games, the game, while horrific to the participants and the districts, is seen more as a form of entertainment. There are more external interferences (sponsors sending gifts to certain participants to help them survive) as well as land manipulation to give a "better show" (directing participants to each other). I don't remember if the game in Battle Royale was televised.
Because it's more of a form of entertainment in The Hunger Games, the participants have two weeks of physical training, as well as a chance to "promote" themselves, in the hopes of getting more sponsors and increasing their odds (because some viewers make bets on who would win).
Also, before the game begins, the participants start with nothing. Weapons and backpacks are placed in the center of the battlefield. If they want it, they'll have to run and get it, and risk getting killed in the process (by others doing the same thing). They also have two weeks to kill each other off, and there has to be a winner at the end.
3. Character Development: There is a lot more character development in Battle Royale. Even Kitano has some character development. As a result, there are more characters in Battle Royale that you can relate to, and lament over.
I also think that it is probably easier to show character development in Battle Royale because the participants are all classmates. One character's flashback can involve other classmates at the same time. Even the words "always" or "never" carry deeper meaning because you get a sense of how long "always" or "never" would be (at least since the beginning of the school year).
4. Blood Level: Well, I don't need to really say, but Battle Royale is more brutal in terms of blood and gore.
I'll mention more if I can think of more, but I hope this shows that The Hunger Games and Battle Royale can't really be compared against each other -- at least in determining which is the "better" movie.
If you read my spoilers, thank for reading! Now to finish with more scrolly things. If you disagree with anything or just want to say something, feel free to comment :D
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
..............................................................
No comments:
Post a Comment