I can honestly say that I came out happy because it was quite possibly the most faithful translation of a book to movie that I've ever seen. Obviously, the book is an entirely different medium to film and some things that can't be done justice need to get changed, or things that aren't obvious (as the books are from Katniss-point of view) or things that just can't be done due to time constraints.
My brother is still in rage mode because he doesn't feel that the concept of the Mockingjay has been made clear enough if say, you haven't read the books. Me, I'm not too fussed about that as I think the movies are pretty good as a stand alone concept.
Major differences that stood out for me were:
- The extended and changed dialogue between Katniss and Plutarch during the dance that didn't once mention the 'it begins at midnight' hoopla
- Katniss and Peeta's 'baby' sort of gets forgotten.
- Not seeing Haymitch duke it out in his Hunger Games.. I can live without it for the movie but in the books it played an essential part in understanding why he's a raging alcoholic. Plus it sates our somewhat perverse desire to know more about the previous Hunger Games.
- Katniss seeing Peeta's tribute to Rue - it was good because *I* wanted to see it - but bad because I didn't think they'd allow it. Having said that I understand why they need to show it in the film rather than just have two characters TALK about it.
- No training scores - the top scores for both Peeta and Katniss sort of nailed the whole 'We're in the firing line' mentality in the book
- It doesn't go into why Peeta's so miffed about the fake wedding. Obviously, he's cranky about it not being real and you can probably understand that even if you haven't read the books but still, I thought they would have mentioned it a bit later.
- The bleeped F-bombs. We've already got people yelling 'shit' and 'you sunnuva bitch!' etc.. what's going to happen in the next movie? Flat out 'Die you mother-effing piece of *unt *iss crap monkey!' ?
- Peeta swimming and flat out murdering someone in the water. In the book, he would never be able to do this and why should he? Where exactly would he be going to learn how to swim in District 12? Katniss is only able to because her dad taught her during Girl vs Wild back in the day. I appreciate that everyone seems to think that Peeta is a useless wimp but let's be honest - if you were in their shoes and got thrown in the arena... you'd be the Peeta. Peeta is brave, useful and smart and it sickens me to read people's comments about 'ohh, no way would someone like Katniss be able to rescue him' etc. It's like... get a life? I enjoy reading about real characters, not action movie stereotypes.
- Katniss is adept in all things spile. This is a change I welcome, as the movie was pretty long as it was, we certainly didn't have time to sit around and watch them dehydrate for another hour.
- Plutarch changes the Quarter Quell rules - again this is something that Katniss would have no way of knowing for sure but what she did sort of suspect in the books - that is was way too convenient for her and Peeta to go back in the arena after the Capitol plans against them.
- Katniss snoops on secret video screens news about the rebellions.. well she had to as her friend Madge doesn't exist in this medium and if the security team is just going to leave their doors hanging open like that...
- Johanna never mentions to Katniss that Maggs was Finnick's mentor. Instead she's all like, love is weird you guys.
My brother pointed out that the refugees heading to District 13 never appeared, nor did Darius. I hung my head in shame as it's been a while since I read the books. Again, the movie doesn't have time to go into all these smaller details. A lot of other sites are getting really nit picky about how Gale and Katniss kissed three times instead of two, or how the wetsuits were different and that Beetee has a last name.. of course he has a last name! You try going into the arena, fearing for your life and thinking - MY WORD, I must remember this random guy's last name!
I completely forgot about the bread, but that probably would have made the movie a bit more complicated. They didn't really need it as you can see Plutarch watching and waiting for their plans. We were discussing that no one got too much of a beat down after the three fingered salute - but like I told my brother - that's their district's thing. Another district using that district's thing is saying we're with you, let's start a freaking rebellion! It's like going into (insert dodgy neighbourhood here) and getting shived, it's just their way of life. Kidding!
Then you got some idiots going on about how Katniss didn't explain how she knew about the force fields and that she could 'hear' them in the book. That was like, half of their training session.
' Oh, you like fire? Me too, it's kind of my thing. What's that? A forcefield? Oh shit, dude!'
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