Can The Hunger Games film series improve
upon the books? Yes, I think so. And I will tell you why.
1st, I read The Hunger Games prior to seeing the
film and I found it to be one of the most gripping books I’ve read in a very
long time. I couldn’t but it down. I was actually halfway through Abraham
Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which I was enjoying, when The
Hunger Games film was released and my gut told me it was time to make a
switch. So, on a Saturday afternoon
while Serena was taking a nap with the boys I started reading the book… and it was
amazing. That evening we had some
friends over for karaoke and, quite literally, I just sat in the other room and
read. I hadn’t been that engrossed in a
book in ages.
2nd, after plowing through book one, I
immediately started Catching Fire, which I thought was pretty good. Not nearly as spectacular as the first book, mainly
because it followed the exact same formula, but it was still pretty good. I guess my main complaint is that it was kind
of like seeing a really great horror movie only to me mildly disappointed by its
all too similar sequel. That said, I
still devoured the book at record pace.
3rd, to be honest… I’m having a lot of trouble
getting through Mockingjay. I’m about
half way though and although it is completely different from the first two
books, I don’t find it nearly as gripping or entertaining.
Now, the good news is that I can actually articulate why I
feel this way. And I have had numerous
conversations with folks who have read the books about my feelings and most of
them agree with my point.
I think the book series, as a whole, suffers from being in
Katniss’ perspective. All three books
are told in first-person from her point of view and the problem I have found is
that Katniss doesn’t grow enough as a character throughout the saga to keep up
with how amazing the overall concept of the story is. I really wish each book had changed
perspectives. I think Catching
Fire would have been much better told from the point of view of
Peeta. And I think Mockingjay could have
benefited from being in Haymitch or Gale’s perspective.
My point is that there is a lot going on in the second two
books… and most of the time Katniss isn’t privy to what’s going on. And she isn’t mature enough to figure it out.
That said, I think The Hunger Games film is a brilliant
compliment to the book. Not better than
the book, but a fine compliment.
However, the film was able to accomplish a number of things that the
books couldn’t, that I think will benefit the overall film series, ultimately
making the films better than the books.
The most important thing the film does is depart from the
first-person narrative. Although it
focuses on Katniss, the film departs in a number of ways that benefits the
story as a whole. Like showing the start
of the district revolts, how the gamekeepers operate, how Haymitch solicits sponsors,
and most importantly, how much control President Snow has over the games. These glimpses, departing from the books
first person narratives, foreshadow how the next films will be handled. And if the next films follow this format,
they could potentially be stronger than the books.
I for one, am very excited to see how the film series
expands the amazing source material.
I think The Hunger Games saga has the
potential to be a lot like the television series Dexter, which is also
based on a book series. Although the
first season of Dexter mirrors the original book, the television series, as a
whole, has been to tell a much more compelling story.
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