Hunger Games Review: Book Vs. Movie

The Hunger Games is set in the future country of what was once known as North America, called Panem. The Government forces the 12 Districts to have one boy and one girl between the ages of 12-18 to participate in what is called the Hunger Games. It is a fight to the death on live TV until only one remains - the victor.

The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark, and Liam Hemsworth as Gale. Jennifer did a brilliant job at playing Katniss! She is such a great actress. I thought she was perfect for Katniss. Since I am a huge Josh Hutcherson fan, I was so happy to find out that he got the role for Peeta! He was the perfect Peeta! I know some people aren't happy with who they cast, but I thought that they were spot on with him! We see very little of Gale, but Liam did great.

Movie Review

Ok, I'm going to admit that I watch the movie first, then read the book. I do it that way, so that I can enjoy the movie more because I am always disappointed with the film if I read the book first. So, that's what I did with this time too! The movie was very suspenseful, but it is also very violent even if you know what it is about. If you don't know what it is about and have a problem with violence, I suggest reading up on it a little just to prepare yourself. I knew the basic storyline and I didn't know it was going to be quite as violent. But I ended up being in love with the movie. I don't know what it is about this movie that makes it so popular because you think with the storyline, it wouldn't be, but it is and after seeing it twice, I understand why. Katniss is such a strong heroine who will do anything to help her family. Normally, I don't really like heroine, but for some reason I fell in love with Katniss' character (and it helps that Jennifer Lawerence is a really great actress!). I loved the costumes of the characters. One of my favorite parts of the movie is Katniss' interview with the "Girl On Fire" dress, but all the costumes were amazing! There are some scenes they put into the movie that weren't in the book and the movie does have more funny lines in it. I think this was good on the part of whoever wrote the script. It was nice to have some funny remarks in there to not make it so intense all the time. Normally, I don't see movies like this, but I am glad I did! I highly recommend it.

Book Review and Comparison

Now, I did end up reading the book and it only took me a month! That is a fast read for me. I thought I wouldn't read it as fast as I would because I already saw the movie, but the book is just as intriguing. There were some parts in the book that weren't in the movie, like the fact that Peeta had a bigger part in the book for one. I was a little disappointed that they took a lot of his scenes out. Plus, the book definitely explains everything a lot better! I was only two chapters in and I already understood the movie way better! There were some scenes in the movie that I was confused with. The main one being the whole romance between Peeta and Katniss. If anybody was at all confused with that whole thing, the book will help you understand it. I don't want to give anything too much away, but the ending of the movie is just a little different in the book. I was a little disappointed with that, too. I'm not sure why they decided to leave that storyline out of the movie, but maybe they wanted to keep it for the two other movies. Who knows? But other then those two things, I was very impressed with how well they matched the storyline and created the whole future world of Panem and the Districts.

All in all, the book is just as good as the movie, and maybe even better! And if you were at all confused during the movie (if you saw it first without reading the book), then the book helps you understand it so much more! Do I suggest reading the book and seeing the movie? Yes. Even if you do it backwards like me, it's still worth reading the book. So, Happy Hunger Games and May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor! :)

Book rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Movie rating: 5 out of 5 stars