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#Post#: 25378--------------------------------------------------
Movie Review: Master Post
DIR By: Reptile90
Date: March 22, 2012, 6:49 pm
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I loved it. Very true to the book and all things omitted/added
were good decisions. I particularly liked the end scene with
Seneca being locked in the room with the nightlock and I really
liked the addition of Haymitch convincing him to play up to the
whole "star cross lovers" act. When it was announced about how
the rules were changed so that there could be two winners it
felt less gimmicky than in the book.
The shakey cam in the first few minutes really threw me off. I
don't mind the use of handheld cameras in films, but this was
way too much. Thank God it eased as the movie went on and after
a while, I thought it was actually great. I loved how when the
camera wasn't with Katniss it was noticeably steady-cam. It
really accentuated the fact that the the handheld camera was
used so that it felt like the viewers were more involved with
Katniss.
Also, I went with my boyfriend, who was pretty much planning on
hating it because he heard about how much of a BR rip off it
supposedly was (he's a big fan) and he absolutely LOVED the
movie. Didn't think they were too similar at all, apart from the
basic premise.
#Post#: 25399--------------------------------------------------
Re: Movie Review: Master Post
DIR By: Doctor Leo
Date: March 23, 2012, 3:47 am
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Initial quick thoughts:
I really enjoyed it as a movie. I thought it went by a little
too fast though (even though the runtime was 2 and a half
hours). Rushed some parts here or there which made the story
lose some of the nuances and characters motivations and whatnot
that I really liked in the book and that I felt were necessary,
but I've gotten use to that having been a Potterhead and who
knows where they are going with the other films, so it may be no
big deal. These are things that just come with any adaptation so
I can forgive it. Though the fact that they didn't really
translate some of the characters well enough or develop certain
relationships ruined a few key scenes for me.
Seeing as they casted some talented actors, the performances
were very, very solid as expected. I thought on the technical
side, the film was good but I didn't like the very choppy
editing style they went with (really took me out of the film at
times) and the photography, while very attractive with the color
pallete they chose and certain shots they got was very often a
bit too shaky (I say this as someone who loves shaky cam) and I
didn't enjoy the constant close ups. I thought the flm would
have worked better if they shot it wider. Can't say anything
about the score cause there barely was one.
But overall, it was a good ride. The set pieces were done very
well (apart from the way some were shot as I mentioned already)
and I am still excited for the next one so it gets points for
that.
7/10
Feelings could change with more viewings.
#Post#: 25404--------------------------------------------------
Re: Movie Review: Master Post
DIR By: Winter_Is_Coming
Date: March 23, 2012, 11:12 am
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I wasn't a fan of the editing style, either. Or the shaky cam,
especially during fight scenes. Made it really hard to see what
was going on. The editing was probably my biggest
disappointment, though. And the fact that there was no Haymitch
at the Reaping. They probably didn't want his falling off the
stage to ruin the gravity of the moment, but he should have at
least been there. And Haymitch wasn't drunk enough in general.
However, I LOVED the addition of District 11's uprising. Most
powerful scene of the movie, IMO, and it wasn't even in the
book. I also liked Cato's little speech to Katniss at the end.
Instead of just portraying him as a bloodthirsty killing machine
they added a touch of humanity at the end to remind the audience
that he's just a kid, after all.
I was disappointed that NONE of the songs on the soundtrack were
in the actual movie. I mean, what's the point of releasing a
soundtrack where none of the songs are in the movie? I hate it
when they do that.
Overall, a solid adaptation.
#Post#: 25405--------------------------------------------------
Re: Movie Review: Master Post
DIR By: Doctor Leo
Date: March 23, 2012, 11:59 am
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--- Quote from: Winter_Is_Coming link ---
>
> However, I LOVED the addition of District 11's uprising. Most
powerful scene of the movie, IMO, and it wasn't even in the
book. I also liked Cato's little speech to Katniss at the end.
Instead of just portraying him as a bloodthirsty killing machine
they added a touch of humanity at the end to remind the audience
that he's just a kid, after all.
>
--- End Quote ---
I agree completely with the uprising scene. Definitley the most
powerful scene in the film. Disagree with the Cato bit though.
It just came out of nowhere for me and I never felt like they
did enough with Cato for him to have a speech like that and mean
something. They didn't really make him scary enough (apart from
the couple of kills he makes) or maybe the actor just can't pull
that off well enough. I like what they were going for though.
#Post#: 25407--------------------------------------------------
Re: Movie Review: Master Post
DIR By: Gina
Date: March 23, 2012, 1:39 pm
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I keep hearing from people that a lot of stuff was left out.
It's been about 6 months since I've read it but I can't think of
anything major that was left out. All my favorite parts were in
and I felt like things were explained pretty well. I would have
liked to have seen more development for the characters and maybe
more of the history of Panem but with the movie already being 2
and a half hours I can see why they spared that.
#Post#: 25409--------------------------------------------------
Re: Movie Review: Master Post
DIR By: Loony_Gaby
Date: March 23, 2012, 2:38 pm
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I didn't mind the shaky camera that much, which is surprising.
It was a way of them showing violence without being explicit.
The District 11 uprising was definitely the best moment of the
film.
Agreed, a solid adaption with great acting but it was a 8.5 or 9
for me.
--- Quote from: Winter_Is_Coming link ---
>
>
> I was disappointed that NONE of the songs on the soundtrack
were in the actual movie. I mean, what's the point of releasing
a soundtrack where none of the songs are in the movie? I hate it
when they do that.
>
> Overall, a solid adaptation.
>
--- End Quote ---
That soundtrack idea was dumb. It was just to attract more young
people toward it. Loved the songs at the credits, though.
#Post#: 25411--------------------------------------------------
Re: Movie Review: Master Post
DIR By: Winter_Is_Coming
Date: March 23, 2012, 2:55 pm
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@The Doctor: Yeah, I see what you mean. It was kind of random,
but I liked that they at least tried to redeem him a bit.
@Gina: Yeah, I don't know what they're complaining about either.
There was nothing major missing. A few small things that weren't
necessary, that's all. Like Haymitch at the Reaping and the Avox
girl. And Peeta losing his leg at the end.
More character development would have been nice. Hopefully
they'll focus on that more in the later movies. Did you guys
hear that they might split Mockingjay into two movies? Utterly
ridiculous, IMO. Unless they add a ton of stuff there's no need
to make it two films. They're just jumping on the two-part
bandwagon started by DH and Twilight. At least it made sense for
DH. On the other hand, maybe since we'll be in District 13 by
then and have all that extra time we'll get more of Panem's
history.
#Post#: 25415--------------------------------------------------
Re: Movie Review: Master Post
DIR By: That_Jeremy
Date: March 23, 2012, 5:51 pm
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I agree with a lot of this, but I didn't feel that too much was
ruined for me. I'm kinda glad the Katniss/Peeta relationship
wasn't as big in the movie, but at least they made something out
of her thing with Gale. I did love the uprising scene, and the
performances were solid, particularly from Lawrence, Hutcherson
(a lot better than I thought he'd be), Banks, and Harrelson. I
kinda hated Glimmer and Cato more for the way they acted, like a
dumbass jock/cheerleader combo (I stated this in another THG
thread) and I'm happy they went out the way they did. Otherwise,
it was a fine film, but nothing amazing. It's similar to how I
feel about the past 3 major book-to-movie franchises (not
counting LOTR). I loved HP, was meh with Twilight, and was in
between those two with THG. I also give it a 7.
#Post#: 25436--------------------------------------------------
Read the book and watched the movie for the first time today.
DIR By: Dr._Pants_The_Tech_Guy
Date: March 23, 2012, 8:53 pm
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Damn. I was NOT expecting this movie to be so great. I thought
it flowed better than the book once the Games began, but like
the book, getting to the games dragged. Overall I REALLY enjoyed
it and thought it was better than the book.
+:
Less drag than the book.
I like how they used the announcers for the exposition and stuff
that went through Katniss's head in the book.
As everyone else has said, the uprising of District 11 was
probably the best scene. Great they added that.
I liked the score. After Leo said there wasn't much of one, I
really paid attention for it, and I thought what was there was
pretty good.
-:
WAY too much shaky cam. I know why they did it, but it still
made parts difficult to watch.
All I could think of when they showed Gale during the games was
"Dear God, it's Jacob all over again." *facepalm
Knife girl's death wasn't brutal enough. He should have taken
the rock to her.
I wanted her to drug Peeta. I thought that part of the book was
funny and I liked her attitude.
I wish they had specified that the Mutts were the other
tributes. That was the most horrifying part of the book for me.
I thought they weren't clear enough regarding Katniss and
Peeta's love "acting".
A lot of nitpicky negatives, I know, but the changes aren't THAT
big a deal, they were just things I missed.
#Post#: 25451--------------------------------------------------
Re: Movie Review: Master Post
DIR By: StealYellowMen
Date: March 24, 2012, 1:15 am
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Just got home from seeing it and boy am I famished. [/awful joke
that doesnt even make much sense]
It was alright. Actually, better than alright. But it didn't
blow me away. I give it an A for Acceptable. Or an S for
Satiated [/awful joke 2].
In a more general sense I think it was a really good adaptation
of a book. (Which I think any Potterhead can appreciate.) And
perhaps it will grow on me more.
Great acting. Cool costumes and set pieces. Nothing was too over
the top when it easily could have been (I love when a film shows
restraint). And, like others have mentioned, I was really glad
they showed District 11 rioting. It was great and probably my
favorite part. I also liked everything they did with Crane (his
scenes with Snow, directing the games, and the nightlock). Oh,
and Katniss tripping balls.
As for complaints: I didn't like the shaky camera and editing. I
get it. Katniss is the main character. The books are written in
the first person and you can't really shoot a film like that.
But that doesn't mean we need to be up her ass the whole time.
Wide shots are your friend. And I get that things are supposed
to be chaotic, but I kind of wish some of the action scenes
weren't as fast moving. I also felt that the cave scene was
rushed and we never really know (in the movie) if Peeta actually
cares for Katniss or if he's saying it just for the games. The
cave, Prim, and Rue's death are the emotional core of the books
and to rush through it was a let down. At least explain what
Katniss was going through when Peeta threw her the bread. To
keep showing that flashback without a proper explanation is just
plain sloppy, IMO. But maybe my expectations were slightly high.
Also, the Tribute Parade (or whatever its called) had me
thinking about the Emerald City scene in The Wizard of Oz.
And good point about the soundtrack.
(Sorry if I'm not making any sense, btw. I'm exhausted.)
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