I enjoyed The Hunger Games trilogy and so was excited to hear about the prequel. So does the prequel hold up to the original?
Showing posts with label The Hunger Games Trilogy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Hunger Games Trilogy. Show all posts
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016
Friday, October 16, 2015
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Fear About Mockingjay Part 2
MAJOR SPOILER!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Think of the Children and YA Adaptations
So when a book series is made for Young Adults (YA) and is popular, a movie/tv show is made. But while the YA audience clearly loves the source material and isn't some broken wreck, once YA books go up for adaptation they tend be toned down because "think of the children" type attitude.
Here are two brief examples:
Saturday, April 12, 2014
The Surprising Death of Mockingjay
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| Warning: MAJOR Spoiler Below |
The event that caused me so much pain, but I love it anyways, is Prim's death.
I enjoy her death for a few reasons:
1.) You didn't see it coming.
Prim wasn't someone you expected to die. She was Katniss' sister and she was on the safe list. ESPECIALLY since this is a Young Adult book.
2.) Her death meant something.
Prim dying caused Katniss to make her first real decision in the entire trilogy (not counting her decision to volunteer in the first place). In that I mean it wasn't organized by one side or the other in order to use her. Katniss is unique as she's a hero that doesn't mean to be a hero but keeps getting pushed into the role while all she cares about is her family (but that's a story for another post). So when Prim dies that leads her to killing President Coin.
3.) It was beyond heartbreaking.
Prim was someone I didn't want to die. I wanted her to live so when the war was over Katniss could find peace in her sister. Katniss started her whole journey because she wanted to keep Prim safe. So Prim dying is ironic in that the whole reason Katniss did everything was lost to her by the end.
So I really REALLY hope that Prim's death is kept in the movie adaptation. Prim's death IS important. She helps push Katniss' story forward in that if Prim didn't die President Coin could still be alive to make President Snow's reign seem like Christmas. Prim's death also shows that not everyone gets out of war alive.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Glimniss (The Good Left Undone)
Series: The Hunger Games
Pairing: Katniss Everdeen and Glimmer
Pairing Type: Femslash
Pairing: Non-Canon (to the max!)
Plot: Katniss Everdeen is forever changed by the Tribute from District 1 (Glimmer). Katniss, after winning the 74th Hunger Games, always remembers Glimmer fondly. However, she feels guilty about loving a Career Tribute.
I made up the title for this pairing. As far as I know I'm one of the few (if only) shipper of this pairing.
Pairing: Katniss Everdeen and Glimmer
Pairing Type: Femslash
Pairing: Non-Canon (to the max!)
Plot: Katniss Everdeen is forever changed by the Tribute from District 1 (Glimmer). Katniss, after winning the 74th Hunger Games, always remembers Glimmer fondly. However, she feels guilty about loving a Career Tribute.
I made up the title for this pairing. As far as I know I'm one of the few (if only) shipper of this pairing.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Hunger Games (2012)
Title: The Hunger Games
Series: The Hunger Games
Based on the Book: The Hunger Games
Book By: Suzanne Collins
Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth
Rated: PG-13
Released: 2012
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
Oscars: N/A
Basic Plot: Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.
Compared to the Book
I will get this out of the way first. I might even do another post on all the differences in the movie. Katniss' relationship Rue is explored more. The same basic feelings are shown in the film but you don't feel as much in the movie. The mockingjay isn't clearly explained. You don't get the fact that it basically is the symbol of rebellion. At the end of the movie it isn't shown if Peeta was using Katniss or if he had real feelings for her. In the ending of the book it's shown that Peeta's feelings for Katniss were real.
The Deaths
One thing I was worried about in this movie is if the deaths would be able to equal up to their book counterparts. I am glad to say that the deaths were very good. Rue's death cut like a knife and Riley Dawson...I mean Glimmer (played by Leven Rambin) were my two 'favorite deaths'. Well...Glimmer's death is one of my favorite deaths just because I like the actress. I will say, though, Glimmer still glimmers even in death.
President Snow
I like that the movie shows much more of President Snow than the book. Like, more than a paragraph or two. This prepares for President Snow's increased importance in the series. And he does become VERY important to Katniss especially.
Final Thoughts
This movie was just AWESOME! They were able to pull The Hunger Games off with only a PG-13 rating. The fire scene was just awe inspiring. I felt myself dodging in my seat like I was with Katniss. And there is some good eye candy in this movie: Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen) and Glimmer (Leven Rambin) being among them. This is a movie you NEED to see in a theater to get the full effect.
Series: The Hunger Games
Based on the Book: The Hunger Games
Book By: Suzanne Collins
Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth
Rated: PG-13
Released: 2012
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
Oscars: N/A
Basic Plot: Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match.
Compared to the Book
I will get this out of the way first. I might even do another post on all the differences in the movie. Katniss' relationship Rue is explored more. The same basic feelings are shown in the film but you don't feel as much in the movie. The mockingjay isn't clearly explained. You don't get the fact that it basically is the symbol of rebellion. At the end of the movie it isn't shown if Peeta was using Katniss or if he had real feelings for her. In the ending of the book it's shown that Peeta's feelings for Katniss were real.
The Deaths
One thing I was worried about in this movie is if the deaths would be able to equal up to their book counterparts. I am glad to say that the deaths were very good. Rue's death cut like a knife and Riley Dawson...I mean Glimmer (played by Leven Rambin) were my two 'favorite deaths'. Well...Glimmer's death is one of my favorite deaths just because I like the actress. I will say, though, Glimmer still glimmers even in death.
President Snow
I like that the movie shows much more of President Snow than the book. Like, more than a paragraph or two. This prepares for President Snow's increased importance in the series. And he does become VERY important to Katniss especially.
Final Thoughts
This movie was just AWESOME! They were able to pull The Hunger Games off with only a PG-13 rating. The fire scene was just awe inspiring. I felt myself dodging in my seat like I was with Katniss. And there is some good eye candy in this movie: Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen) and Glimmer (Leven Rambin) being among them. This is a movie you NEED to see in a theater to get the full effect.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Mockingjay (Suzanne Collins)
Title: Mockingjay
Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy
Author: Suzanne Collins
Released: 2010
Rating: 6/5
Basic Plot: Katniss Everdeen becomes the Mockingjay (symbol of the rebellion) as the war truly begins. aka Shit gets real!
President Coin vs. President Snow
Previously in the series President Snow is shown to be a very cruel bastard. He is willing to kill children (in the Hunger Games) to control the districts. So you naturally believe he'll do anything, but he does have rules. They are few and far between, but they are rules. Lines even he won't cross. President Coin, leader of District 13, doesn't have any rules. She'll kill children to win the war. I won't give away what her great plan was. So, in the end, the person who lead the rebellion was an asshole and not to be respected. While the person who was already in control was a bastard who had rules.
The Role of the Mockingjay
I give kudos to Collins for making Katniss Everdeen fucking pointless to the overall war against the capitol. Her role as the Mockingjay is as pure distraction. Plus it gives the rebellion a figure to follow. Someone everyone admirers and so gives strength to the rebellion. What makes this role sad is it's like Katniss never left the Capitol's control. She traded the Capitol designing her as a Hunger Games victor for District 13 designing her as a pure figurehead with no real power.
The Choice Between Gale and Peeta
Throughout The Hunger Games Trilogy there has been a love triangle between Katniss, Gale, and Peeta. In the beginning it seems like of course Katniss will end up with Gale. But in the series all three change. Katniss changes due to her actions and what she goes through in the arenas. Gale's darker side comes to the forefront. Peeta is hijacked (a form of brainwashing) and his love for Katniss has to battle through what President Snow did to him. And, by the end, there is no doubt that Katniss and Peeta have become perfect for each other.
Final Thoughts
This book is intense. I knew it would become very dark but I didn't know how dark it would get. I got up and read the part of the book where Prim dies because I didn't believe it when I read it the first time. This is a book that has deeply affected me and that I won't be able to soon forget. For better or worse, I love this book. And would recommend everyone check out The Hunger Games Trilogy (as Mockingjay won't mean as much if you haven't read the first two books before you read Mockingjay).
Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy
Author: Suzanne Collins
Released: 2010
Rating: 6/5
Basic Plot: Katniss Everdeen becomes the Mockingjay (symbol of the rebellion) as the war truly begins. aka Shit gets real!
President Coin vs. President Snow
Previously in the series President Snow is shown to be a very cruel bastard. He is willing to kill children (in the Hunger Games) to control the districts. So you naturally believe he'll do anything, but he does have rules. They are few and far between, but they are rules. Lines even he won't cross. President Coin, leader of District 13, doesn't have any rules. She'll kill children to win the war. I won't give away what her great plan was. So, in the end, the person who lead the rebellion was an asshole and not to be respected. While the person who was already in control was a bastard who had rules.
The Role of the Mockingjay
I give kudos to Collins for making Katniss Everdeen fucking pointless to the overall war against the capitol. Her role as the Mockingjay is as pure distraction. Plus it gives the rebellion a figure to follow. Someone everyone admirers and so gives strength to the rebellion. What makes this role sad is it's like Katniss never left the Capitol's control. She traded the Capitol designing her as a Hunger Games victor for District 13 designing her as a pure figurehead with no real power.
The Choice Between Gale and Peeta
Throughout The Hunger Games Trilogy there has been a love triangle between Katniss, Gale, and Peeta. In the beginning it seems like of course Katniss will end up with Gale. But in the series all three change. Katniss changes due to her actions and what she goes through in the arenas. Gale's darker side comes to the forefront. Peeta is hijacked (a form of brainwashing) and his love for Katniss has to battle through what President Snow did to him. And, by the end, there is no doubt that Katniss and Peeta have become perfect for each other.
Final Thoughts
This book is intense. I knew it would become very dark but I didn't know how dark it would get. I got up and read the part of the book where Prim dies because I didn't believe it when I read it the first time. This is a book that has deeply affected me and that I won't be able to soon forget. For better or worse, I love this book. And would recommend everyone check out The Hunger Games Trilogy (as Mockingjay won't mean as much if you haven't read the first two books before you read Mockingjay).
Monday, January 16, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins)
Title: Catching Fire
Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy
Author: Suzanne Collins
Released: 2009
Rating: 4.5/5
Basic Plot: Katniss Everdeen is brought into the arena again after she inadvertently started a rebellion after the previous hunger games.
The Clock Arena
I absolutely love the arena in this book. Besides providing physical challenges it provides psychological challenges. The physical challenges are interesting and you can really feel the danger that the characters face. There is technically only one psychological challenge but I am going to also count the relationships between the characters. In the first book there is not really any relationships between the characters except viewing each other as contestants.
Buildup to a Revolution
Most of the book is building up to a revolution. It shows every day people and how they react. The government is shown to be even more cruel. Well, President Snow mostly. In fact, it seems to be President Snow who is the only real cruel one. As District 12 changes and there's a rebellion in District 8 you can tell the Capitol is afraid. Oh, and the Peacekeepers shooting an old man in the head!
Rumors of District 13
Two refugees from District 8 inform Katniss that District 13 is still 'alive'. Katniss assumes it's just a dumb hope. Ever since the first book talked about District 13 I thought it might still exist. But one point against it existing is the fact that it hasn't fought against the Capitol. By the end you find out that it exists but not why it hasn't fought against the Capitol.
Final Thoughts
The reason I gave this book a 4.5/5 instead of a 5/5 is the fact that some important plot points you can understand long before Katniss does. Such as the mockingjay watch that someone shows Katniss in the Capitol. All in all, though, this is a good sequel. It expands on the previous book and raises the stakes. Plus, Collins isn't afraid to kill off great characters to help the story.
Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy
Author: Suzanne Collins
Released: 2009
Rating: 4.5/5
Basic Plot: Katniss Everdeen is brought into the arena again after she inadvertently started a rebellion after the previous hunger games.
The Clock Arena
I absolutely love the arena in this book. Besides providing physical challenges it provides psychological challenges. The physical challenges are interesting and you can really feel the danger that the characters face. There is technically only one psychological challenge but I am going to also count the relationships between the characters. In the first book there is not really any relationships between the characters except viewing each other as contestants.
Buildup to a Revolution
Most of the book is building up to a revolution. It shows every day people and how they react. The government is shown to be even more cruel. Well, President Snow mostly. In fact, it seems to be President Snow who is the only real cruel one. As District 12 changes and there's a rebellion in District 8 you can tell the Capitol is afraid. Oh, and the Peacekeepers shooting an old man in the head!
Rumors of District 13
Two refugees from District 8 inform Katniss that District 13 is still 'alive'. Katniss assumes it's just a dumb hope. Ever since the first book talked about District 13 I thought it might still exist. But one point against it existing is the fact that it hasn't fought against the Capitol. By the end you find out that it exists but not why it hasn't fought against the Capitol.
Final Thoughts
The reason I gave this book a 4.5/5 instead of a 5/5 is the fact that some important plot points you can understand long before Katniss does. Such as the mockingjay watch that someone shows Katniss in the Capitol. All in all, though, this is a good sequel. It expands on the previous book and raises the stakes. Plus, Collins isn't afraid to kill off great characters to help the story.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
Title: The Hunger Games
Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy
Author: Suzanne Collins
Released: 2008
Rating: 5/5
Basic Plot: Katniss Everdeen takes her sister's (Prim) place in the Hunger Games and now has to fight for her life.
Big, Bad Government Theme
I admit I have a very low opinion of government. This hasn't been helped by how the US Government is acting now (especially SOPA and Protect IP which effect me). And the big, bad government is a big part of the book. The Capitol (the Government) created The Hunger Games as a big fuck you to the 12 Districts of Panem (the old USA). What's especially great about The Capitol is that you feel its evil even without it being in the scene.
The Bloody Scenario
This book is for Young Adults and yet it has something that belongs in an adult novel. That something is children (12-18 year olds) killing other children because the Capitol finds it amusing. I loved when I was a teen when Young Adult authors would treat me like an adult. If you are a teen, and feel the same way I did when I was young, you'll love this aspect of the book. If you're an adult, this still might disturb you just because children are killing children.
The Bleak Future
This book has one of my favorite scenarios: the bleak future. I don't like happy futures but I like to see how the future can go wrong. This book's depiction of the future is so down and it gets worse as things go on.
Final Thoughts
This book made me want to read the other two books in the trilogy. I can't tell you how painful it is to wait to finish the trilogy. One mystery I want to find out is who the mutated wolves are. For a young teen this might be gritty. For an adult, it won't be as bad for you.
Series: The Hunger Games Trilogy
Author: Suzanne Collins
Released: 2008
Rating: 5/5
Basic Plot: Katniss Everdeen takes her sister's (Prim) place in the Hunger Games and now has to fight for her life.
Big, Bad Government Theme
I admit I have a very low opinion of government. This hasn't been helped by how the US Government is acting now (especially SOPA and Protect IP which effect me). And the big, bad government is a big part of the book. The Capitol (the Government) created The Hunger Games as a big fuck you to the 12 Districts of Panem (the old USA). What's especially great about The Capitol is that you feel its evil even without it being in the scene.
The Bloody Scenario
This book is for Young Adults and yet it has something that belongs in an adult novel. That something is children (12-18 year olds) killing other children because the Capitol finds it amusing. I loved when I was a teen when Young Adult authors would treat me like an adult. If you are a teen, and feel the same way I did when I was young, you'll love this aspect of the book. If you're an adult, this still might disturb you just because children are killing children.
The Bleak Future
This book has one of my favorite scenarios: the bleak future. I don't like happy futures but I like to see how the future can go wrong. This book's depiction of the future is so down and it gets worse as things go on.
Final Thoughts
This book made me want to read the other two books in the trilogy. I can't tell you how painful it is to wait to finish the trilogy. One mystery I want to find out is who the mutated wolves are. For a young teen this might be gritty. For an adult, it won't be as bad for you.
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