THE HUNGER GAMES
German Titles:
Die Tribute von Panem - The Hunger Games / Die Tribute von Panem - Tödliche Spiele
USA, 2012
Director: Gary Ross
9/10
German Titles:
Die Tribute von Panem - The Hunger Games / Die Tribute von Panem - Tödliche Spiele
USA, 2012
Director: Gary Ross
9/10
Yes, you CAN believe the hype: "The Hunger Games", Gary Ross' adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novel of the same name (which I haven't read), is an absolutely amazing blockbuster of a movie - an intense, gripping and very intelligent survival-action-drama, almost as great as similar-themed movies like
"Battle Royale" or "Running Man".
Fast-paced, action-packed and entertaining, but also pretty emotional and empathic, thanks to Ross' strong direction and a fabulously written script, but also visually stunning due to many gorgeous, colorful settings, eye-catching costumes, top notch CGI and fantastic camera work (many cool close-ups, terrific shaky-cam).
It could have been more brutal and less romantic in the last act, but aside from that, "The Hunger Games" is a very well made and deeply satisfying,
in terms of intelligence and craftsmanship comparable to last year's "Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes".
"Battle Royale" or "Running Man".
Fast-paced, action-packed and entertaining, but also pretty emotional and empathic, thanks to Ross' strong direction and a fabulously written script, but also visually stunning due to many gorgeous, colorful settings, eye-catching costumes, top notch CGI and fantastic camera work (many cool close-ups, terrific shaky-cam).
The cast is impressive: leading lady Jennifer Lawrence, a beautiful and incredibly talented actress, delivers a powerful and barnstorming performance. Stanley Tucci is hilarious as freaky TV-host, Woody Harrelson is highly amusing as alocholic ex-winner, Elizabeth Banks looks damn funny as bubble-gum pink escort, Wes Bentley strongly reminded me of Tom Cruise, Donald Sutherland is wonderfully grumpy and Lenny Kravitz is just cool.
It could have been more brutal and less romantic in the last act, but aside from that, "The Hunger Games" is a very well made and deeply satisfying,
in terms of intelligence and craftsmanship comparable to last year's "Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes".
I'm already excited for the follow-ups!
Posts
I can't wait to see this and am glad it lived up to the hype in your opinion. :)
ReplyDeleteYay! Another great review for this one. I'm watching it on Wednesday, and I literally can't wait. This week, I'm also watching Tarsem's Mirror, Mirror, which premiers here a week earlier than in the US.
ReplyDelete@Mel:
ReplyDeleteI'm 100% sure you'll love it. It's an excellent movie.
@George:
Very excited about your review. I bet you'll enjoy it a lot!
Not interested in Mirror, Mirror - yet, for whatever reason I'm highly interested in Snow White & The Huntsman. Saw the trailer yesterday for the very first time and it kinda impressed me.
So far everyone has thought it was awesome. Good to know reading the book isn't required.
ReplyDeleteFor a variety of reasons - this one is not for me. Although I'm somewhat surprised to see such positive reviews from nearly everyone - but I'm not here to bash so I'll refrain from going on. Glad you enjoyed it, MM!
ReplyDeleteme and my sis' re planning to watch it! Now I'm equally hyped!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the books either but I really want to see this film. I'm getting the first book in a few weeks time for my birthday so now all I have to do is convince my boyfriend to take me. Hope it's as good as everyones saying. I've already been disappointed before, ~looks at sparkly vampire book Twilight~ grrrr.
ReplyDelete@Alex:
ReplyDeleteNope, reading the book is definitely not required.
@Craig:
Pity, you don't know what you're missing :)
@Kai:
ReplyDeleteExcited for your review!
@Cherry:
Believe me, it IS as good as everyone says and I'm sure you'll love it.
I was bored throughout the movie. :/ It wasn't terrible but it wasn't as intense as I was expecting.
ReplyDeleteReally? Strange. IMO it was way more intense than I expected.
ReplyDeleteWatched it the other day, and even though I liked it for what it was, it wasn't the spectacle I expected it to be. My friends were quite disappointed and I wasn't in awe either. Solid film, nothing exceptional.
ReplyDeleteReally? Hm, I really thought you would love it about as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteFinally, somthing different at the movies besides "found footage" films!!! I'll also give it a 9-10 only because I hated the pack of dogs segment. It looked rushed to me, alsong with Kato there. But, over the top characters and fine
ReplyDeletecreativity!!
I wasn't particularly excited for The Hunger Games but I really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit slow to begin and I agree with you on the more brutal/less romance final act but all in all it was very much worth a look
K :-)
@Anon:
ReplyDeleteExactly. It's an original, creative and highly entertaining blockbuster. We need movies like this!
I admit the dogs segment felt a bit strange, but still quite fun.
@Karina:
ReplyDeleteWasn't that excited either, but I'm veeery glad that I decided to watch it.
Yeah, the final act could have been more kick-ass, but aside from that, I just loved this movie.
I enjoyed this a lot. The book is pretty good too. Nicely reviewed.
ReplyDeleteThanx Joel!
ReplyDeleteHaven't the read books but I plan on reading them soon.