The Hunger Games

[superhero]

Well that's why in the 2nd part I said she might have nicked the "idea" but the execution and storyline is like comparing apples and oranges. Battle Royale 2 was absolutely dreadful by the way. I don't know why they would show it at the London Film Festival.

I am not sure if the comparisons with "Battle Royale" are fair, it's like comparing apples with oranges (or even a cabbage).

Seriously?

"Battle Royale": In the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill each other under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act.

"The Hunger Games": Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television...

[canadian_turtle]

SO MANY FEELINGS! But too tired for a review right now, will follow tomorrow.

I am not sure if the comparisons with "Battle Royale" are fair, it's like comparing apples with oranges (or even a cabbage). I can't help thinking though whether she (the author) nicked the idea from Battle Royale though. That's a 2000 film and she pulbished her book in 2008. I do have a soft spot for Gary Ross, I love his films. Pleasantville is one of my favourite films.

Having read both novels (BR dates way back to 1999 btw) I believe they're very similar. However, comparing the two or saying Collins nicked the idea isn't fair, I agree. This becase in the end there are only 6 or 7 general storylines arent there? and everything is compiled from those. A lot of novels/films/stories are similar.

I will make a note of the cameraman, never seen a handheld camera so unstable!

This was done on purpose to make the violence less obvious and crank the ratings down.

[MariaLionza]

SO MANY FEELINGS! But too tired for a review right now, will follow tomorrow.

I am not sure if the comparisons with "Battle Royale" are fair, it's like comparing apples with oranges (or even a cabbage). I can't help thinking though whether she (the author) nicked the idea from Battle Royale though. That's a 2000 film and she pulbished her book in 2008. I do have a soft spot for Gary Ross, I love his films. Pleasantville is one of my favourite films.

Having read both novels (BR dates way back to 1999 btw) I believe they're very similar. However, comparing the two or saying Collins nicked the idea isn't fair, I agree. This becase in the end there are only 6 or 7 general storylines arent there? and everything is compiled from those. A lot of novels/films/stories are similar.

I will make a note of the cameraman, never seen a handheld camera so unstable!

This was done on purpose to make the violence less obvious and crank the ratings down.

This is a very boring way to make less obvious what was not there.

[superhero]

I agree with ML, I don't think it's going to win any awards for camera work...

Battle Royale on IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/

It caused a huge storm when it was released, I hardly think she would not have gotten any ideas from it.

[Jayman]

However, comparing the two or saying Collins nicked the idea isn't fair, I agree. This becase in the end there are only 6 or 7 general storylines arent there? and everything is compiled from those. A lot of novels/films/stories are similar.

I disagree in that there are such a small subset of stories out there but heck, that's what opinions are for

In any case, the director seems to share your sentiment:

"I have heard of it, that's all," he said. "You can just as easily analogise The Hunger Games to Romeo & Juliet and nobody would think we have come too close to Shakespeare. That is as close a comparison to Battle Royale."

Source: http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/theg ... unger.html

[superhero]

Aww... Gary Ross trying to defend his film.... Doesn't matter what we say, it's going to open BIG this weekend.

However, comparing the two or saying Collins nicked the idea isn't fair, I agree. This becase in the end there are only 6 or 7 general storylines arent there? and everything is compiled from those. A lot of novels/films/stories are similar.

I disagree in that there are such a small subset of stories out there but heck, that's what opinions are for

In any case, the director seems to share your sentiment:

"I have heard of it, that's all," he said. "You can just as easily analogise The Hunger Games to Romeo & Juliet and nobody would think we have come too close to Shakespeare. That is as close a comparison to Battle Royale."

Source: http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/theg ... unger.html

[moggers]

Overall I think it was as close to the book as a lot of movie's get. It is pretty long so I can see why they missed out a lot of the backstory and some quite important background characters. The ending was a bit messed up as the mutts weren't right. The scene with Rue was just perfect though. 8/10 for me, was quite surprised at how many empty seats there were.

[TheDude]

No Amex checks in Kensington which was a relief, though the screening nearly didn't happen. They were having technical problems and offering to show The Artist or Descendants instead. Luckily they got it fixed and the film then started 35-40 mins late. I'm sure in the meantime some people gave up and went home...

I have been avoiding reviews as much as possible, haven't read the books so had no expectations, and actually quite enjoyed the film in the end. A kind of a futuristic Big Brother meets Bear Grylls with a dash of The Running Man.. 7/10.

[suel3288]

Saw the hunger games, it was great very enjoyed in the new Vue Xtreme in Bolton.
The movie has shown the human nature, how people change in order to survive. only the strong one will decide his/her own faith and make changes.

[superhero]

I don't think CGI is Gary Ross's strong point.

Overall I think it was as close to the book as a lot of movie's get. It is pretty long so I can see why they missed out a lot of the backstory and some quite important background characters. The ending was a bit messed up as the mutts weren't right. The scene with Rue was just perfect though. 8/10 for me, was quite surprised at how many empty seats there were.