The Hunger Games
Thank good fortune for nothing being on TV one night and I being bored out of my wits. Thank you God and good fortune. Why? Well, if I hadn't been bored and kept flicking through the channels, I wouldn't have found The Hunger Games on Film 4. I first watched The Hunger Games in school, after finishing my English Language exam and finishing English altogether for GCSE. I watched it and I liked it but I was not overly impressed by it. I figured that was because I was ignorant about the storyline and I was not really paying much attention. I watched it a second time, this time on TV but I only partly watched it. Thus, not much interest had drawn me in. Then last year, all of my friends kept talking about The Hunger Games: Catching Fire; they enlightened me about how great it was and if I'd like to join them watching it. But I declined the offer.
I was never too keen having been not too interested in the first movie. Then the third time I watched it was because I was bored. This time, I hung onto every word said and sat on the edge of my seat at appropriate times (90% of the movie). I jumped at loud noise and gave subtle weeps at the death of a tribute. But I remained confused about the relationship between Katniss and Peeta. I could not tell whether they were actually in love or not. So I decided to give the book a pleasurable read.
I was delighted as I gained a further insight regarding the storyline. I discovered that Katniss and Peeta were not actually in love; they were merely pretending to gain sponsors but by the end of the novel I wept for their pretence to be true. I loved the idea of Katniss and Peeta in the movie and I loved the couple more in the book. The capitol was definitely a revelation for me. The science-fiction part of this novel intrigued me as conventional science-fiction films would not. What made my heart bleed was the poverty, starvation and the effects of the war that Katniss and every other District underwent. The relationship between Primrose and Katniss was inspired, heart-warming and above all, beautiful. When Katniss volunteered for her little sister, it made my heart stop. The intense sisterly love she felt for Prim was quite phenomenal. I know my sister wouldn't volunteer for me and I can't really blame her for that. I wouldn't like to be involved in The Hunger Games either. But what a beautiful moment for the readers and some of the characters in the book, the people of Panem for example. Moving on to another relationship is Katniss and Gale. They were hunting partners and I could tell they were nothing beyond best friends. Though as I read on, I could tell there would be some sort of romantic nature between them perhaps in the sequel. I felt the sense of a love triangle between Peeta, Katniss and Gale forming. I hoped with an overwhelming urge that it did not turn out like Twilight. And it didn't which made me fall in love with the book further.
Suzanne Collins has a mind bursting with anticipating imagination as everyone can clearly interpret from what The Hunger Games has to offer. Her woeful yet exhilarating tale holds so much promise for all. Katniss Everdeen is presented as the hero in this book and her gender makes it all the while better for our female readers. It's a twist in the cliché and traditional stories where the male is the hero, while the female waits to be rescued, all vulnerable and oblivious. This is what I love most about The Hunger Games. A beautiful scene in both film and book presents Katniss nurturing Peeta when he was injured and honestly, it coerced my heart to constrict. The moment was very beautiful. If I was a fellow sponsor from the capitol, District 12 would have got my full support after that loving moment.
Jennifer Lawrence plays the role of Katniss Everdeen and I couldn't have imagined a better Katniss anywhere else. Jennifer mirrors Katniss so perfectly through the bow and arrow in particular. When I was reading the book, I thought of a confident and strong young woman holding her bow and arrow without any hesitation or falter. I imagined someone not shaking or stuttering in front of the gamemakers and Jennifer acted out my entire imagination of Katniss impeccably. I thank and applaud her for her great acting. I would also like to applaud Josh Hutcherson for his role as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthrone. Lion Gate Entertainment aquried worldwide distribution rights to the film adaptation of The Hunger Games. LGE really outdid their filming company opponents like Katniss outdid her opponents.
A miraculous moment that stood out for me in both book and film was the appreciation District 11 highlighted towards Katniss. After Rue's unfortunate death, in the book, Katniss received bread from District 11 and she did the beautiful symbolic gesture of thanks. The quote of the meaning is as follows: "At first one, then another, then almost every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me. It is an old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love."
I would recommend this book and film to all of the young adults out there who love a bit of romance, sci-fi and adventure. This is another thing I love about this book, it offers a range of genres and it will guarantee at least one you'll like.
IMDB: 7.3
I would recommend this book and film to all of the young adults out there who love a bit of romance, sci-fi and adventure. This is another thing I love about this book, it offers a range of genres and it will guarantee at least one you'll like.
IMDB: 7.3
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