There is a trilogy - The Hunger Games Trilogy - a series of 3 novels written by Suzanne Collins, out of which I have read 2, and these 2 are been converted into movies, 2nd one released last year which I just completed. In short I will compare the 2 novels and the 2 adaptations. 1st Novel - The Hunger Games was much better than the 2nd one, because of its unique concept and storyline. 2nd one just repeats the concept and story, but wait, this is not the case with the adaptations - I found the 2nd movie'Catching Fire' is much better than the 1st one, a movie to watch for, the director is changed and so is the presentation. My guide - Do not Read the novels before watching the movies.
It starts from where the first ends. Katniss Everdeen(Jennifer Lawrence) & Peeta Mellark(Josh Hutcherson) were about to start the victory tour since they've won the last Hunger Games. A victory tour to all remaining 11 districts of the mighty Panem controlled by'The Capitol' head President Snow(Donald Sutherland). But there's a big problem - since the basic idea behind organizing the hunger games every year is to make all the people remember that they have to live under Snow's dictatorship, and if they do revolt, they will be crushed. Hence every year 2 tributes were chosen from each of 12 districts and they have to play these annual games, by killing remaining contenders and become the sole winner. But in Katniss, the people of all districts have seen a hope, a hope to fight against the evil dictatorship, because of her way winning the games. So Snow along with the head game-maker Plutarch Heavensbee(Phillip Seymour Hoffman) devised the 75th Hunger games - the 3rd Quarter Quell with a twist in rule - that only the winning tributes from all district can play the game, and once again Katniss & Peeta found themselves in the deadly gaming arena. And they have to play the game by killing other tributes and by making the right allies, under the mentor ship of Haymitch(Woody Harrelson), but its not that simple, a revolution has started and it has to end the good way, this is just the beginning.
Well this is a wonderful concept, isn't it. In today's world of reality television, some day it might possible that reality TV falls down to level of really killing people, that's a nice idea thought by the novel writer Suzanne Collins, and here the script writers Simon Beaufoy(the guy who adapted'Q & A' for screen called as'Slumdog Millionaire) & Michael deBruyn has done a good work adapting it for screen, movie goes for around 2 hrs 20 mins, and goes straight ahead with the story without any distractions. There are many happenings in the novel, which is not covered here, well enough and yet not a boring part in this long movie, you can watch this movie from start to end in one session, this was not the case with the 1st one. The 1st one requires you to first read the novel before watching it, but here I would suggest that you should first watch the movie, since there are some twists which you'll enjoy if you haven't read them before, bad luck for me, but I still enjoyed it.
The other part which was better was direction and the technical details taken care of. This one was directed by Francis Lawrence, instead of Gary Ross. Francis Lawrence has earlier directed'Constantine', 'I Am Legend' &'Water for Elephants', all are good made movies. This one has also been worked on, looks more attached with the theme and presentation, the special effects were awesome, and it follows on track with happenings, twists in story are there. Acting of all the actors are right as per their roles. Background score is given by well known James Newton Howard, and here too his score fits the theme and scenes really well. Movie also received better ratings from critics, compared to 1st one. The climax is poised just like the novel is, without an end. And as per info over the net, the 3rd part'Mockingjay' was being made in 2 separate parts like every other movie are being made now-a-days. I haven't yet read the 3rd book, but I'm going to do it soon.
This movie works with its details yet without a boring moment, and good direction with special effects, and do watch it if you're a fan of fantasy-adventure genre, it gave you a feel of other movies like'Jumanji' or'LOTR' but its unique of its own, maybe not all person will like the movie. I rate the movie a good 4/5.
GRuchirG.
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