Here’s our review.
Gary Ross is a brave man.
But Ross has done more than churn out a faithful adaptation of the book.
The books are all written in the first person, letting us see the world only from Katnisss perspective.
The film opens up that world, letting us see whats going on behind the scenes.
That allows us more insight into other characters, and also makes the books political message more explicit.
The films best scenes come in the first reel, as the tension of the approaching Games becomes palpable.
Rosss constantly moving camera and brilliant use of sound really conveys the fear and disorientation the characters are feeling.
The last seconds before the Tributes are put into the arena are almost unbearable.
A lot of that comes down to the acting, too.
Lawrences performance goes a long way towards holding together scenes that otherwise wouldnt work at all.
Maybe the films real pleasure, though, is its world-building.
And the Capitol itself, the rotten heart of the country, is brilliantly realised.
Ross has created exactly the world he needed.
Its weird, definitely, but not so weird that its unrecognisable.
Sadly, the films ambition doesnt always pay off.
The films breakneck pace falters towards the end as well.
You couldnt ask for a braver teen movie than this.
Rating:
4 out of 5
