Jennifer Lawrence was flawless as Katniss Everdeen the
heroine in the book and really captured the character well: she was mesmerising
to watch; and if her recent success is anything to go by she will be
around for a very long time and Lionsgate were lucky to grab her whilst they
could because I don't think that anyone could have fitted the role just as
well. Josh Hutcherson who plays the smitten Peeta Melark from District 12 was
fairly decent but did not have the same scene grabbing effect as
Lawrence.
In the books the relationship between Katniss and Peeta
is poignant and it is clear that Peeta is in love with Katniss. However,
Katniss is just playing along for the Games so that she can play off the
'star-crossed lovers' that the Capitol love and gain sponsors during the
Games; this aspect of the film was disappointing. There was very little
build up and almost no emotion, if you hadn't of read the book, you certainly
wouldn't be hoping that Katniss would realise how much of an idiot she is being
by faking her love for Peeta.
Another let down was Katniss' relationship with Rue, the
small girl who reminded Katniss of her little sister Prim and who was the
District 11 tribute; this was hardly developed at all, in the book their
relationship and allegiance to each other goes on for several chapters and
shows the vulnerable side to Everdeen which is lacking in this film.
When Rue got killed, I think that in the film, it was the longest period of
time that the two characters spent with each other: this should have been
developed more thoroughly to get more of a reaction from
the audience over the death of character that impacted Katniss’ life a lot when
she was in the arena. It could have highlighted the severity and impact that
these games had on normal people; it should have showed you that your innocence
could be taken away from you at any moment during the Games and a child you
befriended could die so very easily in your arms had the relationship been more
developed.
However, apart from those two points, Gary Ross (the
director) has done a pretty good job in bringing the text to life. I am
somewhat curious to how Catching Fire will turn out seeing as Ross is no longer
the mastermind behind it all; I do hope that the new director has taken some
notes down from him so that he doesn't lose the integrity of the
books that we have all grown to love. In all honesty I don't think that you can
get a much better adaptation of a book than this film and if that doesn't
convince you: the awards speak for themselves.
