I've been meaning to write a review of "The Hunger Games" film for a little while now but because I've left it so long I've actually managed to see the film twice which hopefully will mean this review will be even more objective. A little warning; I will be discussing some specific details concerning the plot and way it was interpreted in the film so if you have not watched it yet and don't want it to be spoiled then I'd advise that you don't read on and go and see the film instead (as it's fantastic)!
So, overall I thoroughly enjoyed the film both as a fan of "The Hunger Games" book trilogy and just as someone who appreciates good films. As book to film adaptions go it stayed remarkably true to the characters, plot and themes and I would even go so far to say it is one of my favourite films based upon a book. The fact that Suzanne Collins, the author of the trilogy, was hugely involved in the film and co-wrote the screenplay really comes across when you watch it as the dialogue was always relevant and believable and true to the characters. Of course the actors' performances carried the lines beautifully. Jennifer Lawrence gave a stunning performance as Katniss and Josh Hutcherson was a perfect Peeta and Woody Harrelson as Haymitch and Lenny Kravitz as Cinna were both very convincing.There was never a point during the film were I found any of the acting unconvincing.
The only real issue I have with this film is the censorship and the way the deaths and murders were presented in the film. The original cut was rated a 15 in the UK so they cut out a lot of the violence and gore to bring the rating down to a 12A so that part of the target audience would still be able to see it. And whilst I can understand why this decision was made as "The Hunger Games" is a young adult piece of literature and the higher rating may have limited the audience, a cynical part of me thinks that they were thinking about the market in terms of money rather than doing justice to the series and what it stands for.
