The Hunger GamesMovie Reviews

  • Go Based on 21,428 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Must Go!
    Written March 23, 2012

    Not what I expected

    by dcp87

    As someone following the marketing campaign of the movie, I had an image in my mind of what this movie would be. Having seen it, I have a completely new one and I find that incredibly exciting that they really didn't give much away. I would argue that posters and trailers have painted this as an epic battle but the movie felt tense and personal. There's a real sense of following Katniss, even with something as simple as adjusting to the bright sun as she pops into the arena. As everyone expects, Lawrence doesn't disappoint and does so largely without speaking (counting to herself, shaking in pain etc.), but other truly delightful and perfectly cast actors are Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks (didn't really expect that) and Woody Harrelson. The absolute highlight for me was the Reaping, which was chilling to a point that I didn't expect the movie would reach, even knowing the storyline. Overall a solid, emotionally tense movie that paves the way for future installments.

    • 268 out of 434 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written March 23, 2012

    A very abridged version of the book :-/

    by kristal.matlock

    The Hunger Games was a good movie but could have been great! The cast that was picked is excellent and embodies what I pictured in the book well. Where this movie disappointed me was in the details. Yes, I know that you cannot put the entire book in the movie so it is ok to edit out minor details. But the dialogue was not even close to what was said in the book, making the story less recognizable. Also, important scenes in the arena, for instance the entire time the two main Katniss and Peeta spent hiding in the cave, was completely glossed over. This is unfortunate because Katniss and Peeta's feelings for each other really came to light during that point in the book and is very important to future films. This is a "must go" for non-readers and a "so-so" or "go" for people who are expecting the books to come to life.

    • 246 out of 425 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written March 23, 2012

    Good, but had more potential

    by paulaarond

    For those that have not read the book will find that it is a very good and entertaining movie. For those die hard fans out there, it was exciting to see the book come to life, but the movie left some things to be desired; a few more crucial details from the book would have been nice. The acting was ok, but the chemistry and relationships between characters needs to be worked on for the next movie.

    • 212 out of 369 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written March 23, 2012

    Didn't Get Any Sleep!

    by i_want_tickets_now

    in terms of a movie, it is FANTASTIC. in terms of the book, meh... they definitely left out a few key parts if you read the book. *******SPOILER ALERT - if you haven't read the book, DONT READ THIS!******** peeta is supposed to lose his leg. it is vitally important for the next two books...

    ***NOT A SPOILER*** there is an awesome amount of gore (but not too nasty), so that is pretty true to the book. great special effects and score! anyway, go see it. now. i'm serious. stop reading this. NOW. go to the movies!

    ^not kidding about that last comment

    • 204 out of 379 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written March 25, 2012

    Hunger Games a Disappointment

    by jaston

    Hunger Games was a disappointment after all the hype. The shaky videography was so distracting that it was difficutl to even see what was happening. The incredible costumes and scenery were lost and left the viewer wondering what they really looked like not to mention the wasted time, effort and money that went into creating them. There were very few moments where you could focus on what was going on. And forget trying to figure out what was happening in the action sequences. Instead of the excellent stunt acting of the past, we are now left to watch camera technicians shake, wobble, and try make feel you are there instead of watching what could have been an incredible movie. Other than that, the movie did an OK job of interpreting the book.However, I doubt if anyone who had not read the book would have a clue what was going on.

    • 195 out of 362 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written March 23, 2012

    The Hunger Games

    by maurabain

    I really liked the film. I have two teenage daughters who have read all of the books and heard all the excitement building up to this event. So nice to have a movie without foul language, sex, and nudity with a wonderful theme of self-sacrifice, loyalty and perseverance in the face of all odds (thinking out of the box when death is on the line) The acting was superb, cinematography, directing all well done and I consider myself to be very particular in that arena.
    The movie was fine for PG13 but with the violence and hand to hand combat I would not recommend it for little children or even tweens depending on the child. Now I am looking forward to reading the book and waiting in anitcipation for the second movie!!!

    • 165 out of 303 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written March 23, 2012

    Loved it!

    by Leilmil

    As a fan of the book who understands that everything cannot always be included in the movie I loved this film! They hit all the main points, it had smooth flow, it was deep and really captured the characters though there could have been more character development. It was definitely an emotional roller coaster that will be able to touch people of all ages. Not everything was perfect about the film though. In the beginning there was a lot of rack focus and shaky shots but I can understand why they did that so as to make the viewer uncomfortable like the characters were. Anyway, great film. Go see it and take all your friends!

    A final tip for the fans of the book. Go in with a clean slate. Know that everything in the books will not be in the film. That is impossible. With the 2 1/2 hours they had they did a wonderful and beautiful job!

    • 171 out of 323 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written March 24, 2012

    The movie was ok...

    by LynneMcV

    The story was fine. Jennifer Lawrence was great; the best part of the movie. Donald Sutherland was very good; I could really feel his hatred. But the way it was filmed was extremely annoying. I literally couldn't focus on the screen. That style of filming was used way too much. I found it terribly distracting. My husband and friend said they had the same issue. This made the movie feel very long :( Other than that, I guess it was fine.

    • 155 out of 293 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written March 28, 2012

    Darn Jumpy Camera Work

    by zennymar10

    Who ever thought that real time, camera action would be so awesome to see on the big screen, obviously never had an inner ear infection. Even the still shots, slide around. I got so motion sick by the end of the first hour, I couldn't watch the rest. I sat there for the other two hours with my hands covering my face, in cold sweats, unable to move. The movie sounded good, but couldn't watch the rest of it. If you have any problems with this type of movie, wait for the DVD. Very disappointed with the crazy camera work.

    • 109 out of 202 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written March 25, 2012

    Hunger Games, a battle of book accuracy and entertainment value

    by leasha07

    Having devoured the book series I was pumped to see the movie when it came out and was overall pleased by the translation from book to screen. The movie is 2 hr 30 min and flies by!!! I wish there was more background detail given because for those who have not read the books I feel you will be confused by some scenes and dialogue.

    Casting was 100% accurate from Katniss to Ceasar. They did an amazing job.

    • 46 out of 79 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written March 23, 2012

    Great book to movie rendition!!

    by familyisgood

    Fantastic job! I saw the movie at the midnight premier on front row seats.... So, i need to see it again with better seats!! :)
    I was very interested to see how they would make this movie without it being too violent, and they did it very tastefully. I think the casting was perfect and the Capital was portrayed perfectly!!
    Still, you need to read the book, but two thumbs up on the movie! Way better than Twilight!

    • 136 out of 261 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written March 25, 2012

    Loved it!

    by ginad602

    One of the better film adaptations of a book I have seen in quite some time. Have seen it twice already....just might see it a third time :)

    • 125 out of 240 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written March 26, 2012

    Leave the shaky camera style to home movies!!!

    by klaird

    There is a reason that 99.9999% of movies are NOT made with a hand held camera! If i wanted to see shaky camera scenes I would watch my Aunt Edna's movies. It had a wonderful story that i wanted to enjoy but for some bizarre reason Hollywood equates constant camera movement with "art". Forgetting that the audience does not WANT to be nauseated the entire time.

    Good story none the less...just STOP THE SHAKY THE BLOODY CAMERA!!!!

    • 114 out of 219 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written March 24, 2012

    Be weary if you easily get motion sick!

    by aem0162

    The movie is great. My only complaint is the filming of the movie. I walked out with a headache due to the camera's angles and quick scene flashes. I know it was supposed to be an effect of the movie but it actually made the picture less enjoyable for me.

    • 17 out of 26 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written April 2, 2012

    Bandwagon Mediocrity

    by firstdance2000

    The movie develops characters poorly with the hope you've read the books. The premise for the movies characters has no ground work layed and at best should be a top viewed Sy-Fy channel offering.

    In my opinion, the heirs of Robert Heinlein's estate should feel somewhat ripped off by the
    similarities of the script to his book "Tunnel in the Sky". Had they done the book, it would have been much better and not such a lean offering.

    I do believe the Spider-man franchise and this share a similar marketing company!

    • 72 out of 136 found this review helpful.
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Tweets About The Hunger Games

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HiJordin_ I would wanna be in a real life Hunger games if people didn't die lol:/lie if it was really just a game, I'd do it and WIN

3 hours ago.

LegacyAuthor The Hunger Games Trilogy was challenged for two years in a row. Like what the heck?

3 hours ago.

AislingORourke_ just watched The Hunger Games for the first time. I am #emotions.

3 hours ago.

JasNicoleSims If there was an MHS hunger games.... Yeah. I know exactly who all would be gone right about now.

7 hours ago.

DearAbbi3 Battle Royale was the original Hunger Games.

7 hours ago.

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Exclusive Features

Movie Guide The Hunger Games Movie Guide Everything you need to know to get yourself ready for The Hunger Games movie! World Premiere Black Carpet Interviews Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and the rest of the cast stop by to chat about this spring's biggest movie.