According to me - these are some of the BIGGEST differences from the book to the movie counterpart. Some good, some bad. Some are indifferent which means I liked both ways that the story was told.
If you are still reading and want the spoilers - Hunger Games is a story written in the perspective of a girl who's determined to win the prize but gets hung up on her anger and trust issues. Getting out of her head was the best way to tell her story on the big screen, but doing so meant that a lot of useful information was lost in translation.
Most of the differences work out in the films favor and director Gary Ross did a fantastic job using Katniss's flashbacks, a reality tv side plot, and moments from The Capitol to tell the story the best way possible.
These are the biggest differences I noticed during my time in the theater - feel free to comment and tell me some of the other things that caught your eye.
When the movie begins, we get an overview of the games and see an interview highlighting Seneca Crane's work on the 74th Hunger Games. This helps us perceive the world outside of Katniss's thoughts but also introduces the Capitol and some of the key players early on. I thought it was a great way to start and a way to explain to those who hadn't read the book about what was about to happen.
District 12 was just about as drab as I imagined it from the description in the book, but we didn't get to spend much time with Katniss there, nor did we meet any of the other people living there. The Hob was barely shown - Peeta's father, Madge, Gale's family and many others are just absent from the story. I think that without these people, District 12 just became the place where she lived and not the place that she lived to protect. Those relationships were pretty important in her ties to 12.
When Peeta lost time on screen - it became very hard to root for his survival. Of course, he's willing to die for Katniss; he's endearing, artsy and emotional - but the movie lacked in showing his strategic abilities. The book did a much better job of explaining and balancing his softer side with his intellectual and strategic side.
Katniss was not given the Mockingjay pin as a symbol of her tribute from Madge. Instead she purchases it from the Hob and gives it to Prim before she leaves - instead Prim presses it back on her sister stating that it will protect her. It's a touching moment that will connect and define their relationship in the future as sisters.
Once we reach the arena, Katniss's hardships are drastically condensed. All of her time spent wandering the woods, finding water, acclimating and battling dehydration are completely overlooked and cut out. Not seeing this fight to survive at the very beginning makes it a lot more difficult to understand the scope of the games.
Seneca and Snow scenes were very informative on screen. It gave us a chance to see what Snow is truly capable of and that as long as he's around, nothing will be easy in the districts.
Shots from the arena are intermixed with commentary from Claudius Templesmith and Caesar Flickerman. I loved the way the reality tv show with these guys helped explain elements of the game, such as tracker jackers.
Instead of District 11 giving Katniss bread in thanks for Rue, they give her rebellion. This scene was not in the books, of course, but I think that it sets up well what's to happen in the next two books as all the districts turn in rebellion due to Katniss.
Gale's screen time was cut short. I think that this was a bad decision - it could be argued that his part in the story is sub-plot, but without the interactions it's hard to understand just how entwined their lives are in District 12. I think with a little more Gale, his reaction to Katniss and Peeta's kisses would have been easier to understand as well. Then it could be a true love triangle.
Let me know what you think. Did you like the book or the movie better? I choose the BOOK! (:
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