"Hunger Games": I'll pass

[PFP_Dad]

I actually saw this as my wife's younger siblings were in town. Do yourself a favor and bring a book if you go, I've never been so bored in a theater in my life. Suposedly the books are better but I haven't read them.

[Stubblefield]

The author threw some Greek mythology references/overtones into her version, so as to be able to claim it was original. It reads exactly like her and her friends were sitting around, happened to catch Battle Royale, and said, "CHA CHING!" :)

And both are a rehash of The Running Man.

Good breakdown of both (predating the movie release) here.

http://geekfurious.blogspot.com/2011...ger-games.html

[Timmy Dee]

I don't see that they are quite rehashes of Running Man, crucially that the children in both are fighting against each other, whereas RM is a game-show where the condemned fight against arena hunters.
There are similarities between the motivations of RM contestants and the people putting their names in the lottery in Hunger Games, but I feel that labelling both BR and HG as derivatives of King's novel is a long bow to draw.

I got dragged to see HG by the gf, and I was not at all impressed. I've not read the novels, nor have I possessed any desire to do so.
It's like BR but instead of gritty, graphic violence, the violence is mostly 'implied' by fast, blurry camcorder-style lens movement and off-camera occurrences. It's how it obtained an M-rating so it could be accessible to its target audience. Also, instead of what could be considered realistic control over where the contestants can go, HG uses some over-the-top sci-fi/fantasy work. The overall execution of HG places it in dangerous middle ground between a dystopian action film and a dystopian drama piece, achieving greatness as neither.

I will keep my DVD copies of Running Man and Battle Royale (and even Battle Royale 2), but won't be seeing the rest of the Hunger Games series.

[redrako]

I thought it was food eating competition - now I'm disturbed.

[Go West Young Man]

Why would you even bother to see a movie based on a book if you hadn't read the book?
Have you ever seen a movie adaptation of a good book and NOT been disappointed?

This movie is for fans, you had to know that going in?

[hig789]

The most disappointed in a movie that was adapted from a book would have to be the Bourne Identity for me. Too much back story involved.

as for the Hunger Games I am excited about seeing it. I read all the books, but me and the wife are going to a matinee so we don't get caught up in the teenager crowd. I don't understand how people can criticize the books or the movie with out reading or watching either. It was a very well written series IMO.

[DE_Dude]

I don't see that they are quite rehashes of Running Man, crucially that the children in both are fighting against each other, whereas RM is a game-show where the condemned fight against arena hunters.
There are similarities between the motivations of RM contestants and the people putting their names in the lottery in Hunger Games, but I feel that labelling both BR and HG as derivatives of King's novel is a long bow to draw.

I got dragged to see HG by the gf, and I was not at all impressed. I've not read the novels, nor have I possessed any desire to do so.
It's like BR but instead of gritty, graphic violence, the violence is mostly 'implied' by fast, blurry camcorder-style lens movement and off-camera occurrences. It's how it obtained an M-rating so it could be accessible to its target audience. Also, instead of what could be considered realistic control over where the contestants can go, HG uses some over-the-top sci-fi/fantasy work. The overall execution of HG places it in dangerous middle ground between a dystopian action film and a dystopian drama piece, achieving greatness as neither.

I will keep my DVD copies of Running Man and Battle Royale (and even Battle Royale 2), but won't be seeing the rest of the Hunger Games series.

I liked the Hunger Games book, but haven't seen the movie. If it's worse than Battle Royale 2, I'm scared!!!

[Seraphim]

The true root for all competitive bloodsport is of course Thunderdome: two men enter, one man leaves-

[jwcarlson]

I've read the first book and my wife and I went to see the movie this weekend. My wife read all three books in short order... and my whole family ran through the books as well. They went to see it this weekend as well. My brother went opening night (midnight) and texted me at 3 AM. "Can't wait to hear what you think."

I think it was "Ok". Frankly, I don't know how the LOTR folks pulled off a coherent story from a complicated a book. Hunger Games (at least the first book) was middle school simple... I understand that because of the target audience. But the movie, without having read the book, would have been absolutely terrible. It's like they took all the high points, filmed the scenes, and then put them in chronological order. Eh. Oh well, I wasn't a huge fan of the book because I thought it was pretty poorly written. And I agree that first person really doesn't "work" for me. I did this. I did that. I thought this. It's like listening to a four year old describe their day.

I called my brother and told him I gave it a 6/10... maybe 6.5 and he agreed. He said "something was missing". I think it was depth.

[Dave in the basement]

Up until yesterday I had no clue what this film was about. Now that I know, I think I'll pass.

A movie with a plot that centers around children being forced to kill each other for the purpose of adult amusement isn't something I need to see.

Yeah, you still don't have a clue what the film is about.

That would be like me saying, "I am not going to read any more of the OP's posts because he doesn't like films."

YMMV indeed, but you missed the boat on the main drive of the movie.

[gorgehiker]

SWMBO says the books are great, she has no urge to see the movie though. I would rather watch runningman and hear the Arnold screams!!!

[The Pontificator]

Why would you even bother to see a movie based on a book if you hadn't read the book?
Have you ever seen a movie adaptation of a good book and NOT been disappointed?

I liked "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil".

Right now the only books I have time to read are textbooks: pharmacology, med surg, nursing, med calc. there is no room for "pleasure reading". I still have the last 6-7 episodes of "The Walking Dead" backed up and likely won't get to them until June.

[VladTepes]

children being forced to kill each other for the purpose of adult amusement

here we call that a McDonalds Birthday Party.

[lpe492]

I saw the movie with the wife and liked it quite a bit. So did she (she read the books, I did not). Indeed, YMMV. Box office revenue will likely decide the value of this movie to the general population, and all signs point to success.

[CrotalusHH]

They are not killing each other for food. They are being forced to kill each other to demonstrate that the government is all powerful and for punishment. Their ancestors revolted against the government and are being kept in poverty and inadequate food as continuous retribution.

I loved the movie and it's powerful message. So much that I went and bought the first book. The movie followed the book more faithfully than any move adaptation I have ever seen. 24 kids from 12 to 18 are dumped in an arena and it is either kill of be killed. If they refuse the game masters just kill them off.

The game is televised to the poor areas as a lesson and to the rich rulers as entertainment. There is an anti-totalitarian government theme throughout the movie that I think is very refreshing coming out of Hollywood. Star Wars + Rollerball + Escape from New York.

I'm looking for the other two books and will definitely buy the DVD.

[global_dev]

I haven't even read the books and I was thrown by the OP. It's post-apocalyptic science FICTION. What else do you think it'll be? Stuff like that is defined by depravity and if authors can't creatively explore challenging themes, what's the world coming to? I fail to see the problem here.

in total agreement...

[Cynomys]

Why would you even bother to see a movie based on a book if you hadn't read the book?
Have you ever seen a movie adaptation of a good book and NOT been disappointed?

Well, for one, there's the movie "Wizard of Oz", based on the book by L. Frank Baum. I would be wiling to bet that the vast majority of folks who saw that movie and thoroughly enjoyed it did so before reading the book, if they ever have read the book. At the same time, I would grant that there are also lots of movies which make a hash of good books ("The Time Machine", for example). Movies and books are just two different ways of presenting ideas. I have never felt as though it were necessary to read the book before seeing the movie, or for that matter reading the book after seeing the movie.

[rickboone1]

I liked "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil".

Right now the only books I have time to read are textbooks: pharmacology, med surg, nursing, med calc. there is no room for "pleasure reading". I still have the last 6-7 episodes of "The Walking Dead" backed up and likely won't get to them until June.

The book and movie both were over my head.

[Wasaga-Joe]

I actually saw this as my wife's younger siblings were in town. Do yourself a favor and bring a book if you go, I've never been so bored in a theater in my life. Suposedly the books are better but I haven't read them.

you were obviously lucky enough to escape going to the theater with your wife and her siblings for the Twilight movie. This was a Cannes Film Festival winner by comparison.

[noelekal]

Happened to pick up this book left lying on a desk just today. Had never heard of it before. Had a quick glance at the back cover and a thumb through. Utter rubbish. I always pass on drivel.