Movie: The Hunger Games

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I loved the book so I was a little nervous about how they were going to pack the whole book into a movie.  But the kids I work with assured me that the movie was good so I watched it this week.

The premise of the book is that a boy and a girl from each district in a dystopian North America are chosen each year to fight to the death in a reality TV show called 'The Hunger Games'.  The winner gets much glory and secures wealth and safety for their families.  It is a horrible premise but made a good read.

The movie was two and a quarter hours long but they still didn't manage to convey the same level of suspense that the book created.  I was chatting to some kids at school yesterday about whether or not the movie would make complete sense if you hadn't read the book (there might have been unexplained assumptions made).

I wondered how they were going to deal with the gory themes in the book but the movie was actually really well done.  Having seen it now I would probably let my 14 year old watch it (despite my M movie ban) because it doesn't have any s*x in it (only a few kisses) and the violence isn't that in your face (compared to most movies with violence).  Obviously the themes aren't that pleasant but he's read the book so he knows what he's in for.




Comments

Tasmanian said…
Haven't read the book (she says guiltily) but the movie was quite fascinating and captivating. I must admit I thought it was quite horrific even though you don't see all the gore...
September 6, 2012 at 9:05 PM
Jenny said…
Yes - this is my problem. Maybe it is worse than I think it is because I read the book and was expecting it to be completely awful. In other words I'm not confident in my thinking about this!

I wouldn't let my 12 year old watch it when it was suggested as a movie for her friend's birthday party - I was completely shocked when it was suggested as an option but I think I'm a little naive or something.
September 6, 2012 at 9:13 PM
One for a wish.. said…
My brother saw the movie and found it disturbing, so when my 12 year old wanted to read the book I told her I wanted to read it first. Unfortunately it's not my style..and I don't have much time at the moment, so is it suitable for a mature 12 year old? If I hear the phrase "all the other kids have read it" one more time!!.... :-)
September 7, 2012 at 8:24 AM
Jenny said…
My 12 year old daughter has read it. My daughter is pretty mature and reads a lot. I think it does help to read the book before seeing the movie because it prepares you for the themes of the plot.

Could I say it was 'suitable'? Well, not my ideal book to recommend to a 12 year old.

I do have to add that I'm not as conservative with books as I am with movies.
September 7, 2012 at 9:40 AM
Jenny K said…
I read the books and so did my 14 yo. The 12yo wants to read and watch and I'm still deciding. I think the movie is far less disturbing than I was expecting but a big let-down compared to the books. Our M rated movie ban has deteriorated of late although only when approved by and watched with parents and only certain movies. So I'm not the voice of reason that I used to be(!). When our kids have wanted to watch certain movies eg Lord of the Rings we have said yes but only after you read the books. And some we still definitely say no to. Ugh, the life of parents!!
September 7, 2012 at 1:13 PM
Jenny K said…
Just to clarify... of course I mean it was a let-down in terms of the story NOT the violence!!
September 7, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Karen said…
I've read the first book in the series, but I've become a bit bogged down in the second one. I'm thinking I might watch the movie to get me interested in it all again because we're discussing all three books next week at the book club I go to and there'll be spoilers ahead for me if I haven't read the whole lot. I was like you, Jenny, I didn't expect to enjoy it at all, but ended up quite liking it.

I don't think my ten year old is ready for reading it yet (and fortunately he hasn't been asking to read it either) but I know that some of the other kids in his class have read it, mainly those with older siblings, I think. One of them even turned up to this year's Book Week parade dressed as one of the characters.
September 7, 2012 at 4:41 PM
Melissa said…
I am still struggling with the concept of a book that is based on kids killing other kids. I read it because my 12 year old asked if she could as "all her friends were", and I have decided not to let her yet. I came away feeling quite sick that this is held up as a good book and movie for teens (and younger).
ps. I did find the books were well written and some parts I enjoyed reading, but I just can't get past the subject matter...
September 8, 2012 at 11:11 PM
Ruth said…
I loved the books, and loved the movie. My 12 & 13 yr olds have seen the movie, and the 13 yr old has read the book. The 12 yr old is welcome to read them if he wants to. Yes, kids killing kids is horrific, but it's not exactly a new literary theme. I remember reading 'Lord of the Flies' at the same age, and those boys weren't forced to kill each other, they chose to!

My 12 year old coped fine with the movie, but I think that's more to do with his personality than age. I doubt my next child down will be watching it when he's 12.
September 9, 2012 at 2:50 AM
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