Pre-Hunger Games Predictions

     Well, we promised it, and here it is: Our Pre-Hunger Games post!  Katelyn and I both have tickets to the midnight premiere of the Hunger Games this Thursday, and we are very excited to see this film for ourselves (especially after reading glowing reviews, seeing lovely trailers, and reading lengthy interviews with the actors).  So, the question on everyone's mind: Will the Hunger Games live up to the hype?

     Victoria: I have to say, I have high hopes for this film.  I know trailers can be misleading, but from all the trailers, clips, and photos I've seen of this film, it really looks fantastic.  To go with my high hopes, I have high standards. I am expecting a lot of this film, and I really really hope it lives up to those expectations.  One thing I expect from this film is excellent acting.  From the trailer line "We wouldn't make it five miles." I knew I would love Jennifer Lawrence, and so far as I can tell, it doesn't seem that she will disappoint as Katniss.  Her quote to Vanity Fair and director Gary Ross about Katniss' character I think tells quite a bit about how she will be portraying the character:

"Katniss is an incredible character: she’s a hunter but not a killer, a 16-year-old who’s being forced into the arena. These kids are killing one another only because if they don’t they’ll die. It’s needless, pointless, unjustified violence. It’s heartbreaking. When I auditioned, I told [director] Gary [Ross], “I understand if you don’t hire me, but please remember that after Katniss shoots a bow and kills someone, her face cannot be badass.” So there’s nothing cool about her. It’s not like she looks around the arena and goes, Yeah, I got this. I think she looks around helplessly, and thinks, I made a promise to my sister that I would survive; now I have to kill in order to do so."

     This quote proves to me that Lawrence gets Katniss.  I'm also excited to see Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, since I was impressed with him in the trailers and clips I've seen.  I know he's not the most important character by a long shot, but he certainly means a lot to Katniss, and to get that sort of connection across can be difficult.  I hope the film does it justice.  As far as cinematography goes, from the trailers, the film looks beautiful in a destitute way, and that's exactly what I think it should be.  Everything is not a wasteland, nor is it Narnia.  It's broken and sad, but there's still something compelling about it.
     One other thing about the film before I let Katelyn tell her opinion: I admire Lionsgate for their marketing campaign on this film.  Though I've seen at least 4 or 5 clips plus several trailers and a ton of pictures, I have seen virtually nothing of the actual Hunger Games from the film.  They have managed to keep that portion of the film under wraps, and I admire them for doing so.  I absolutely hate when trailers show pretty much the whole film, and Lionsgate made sure that didn't happen for The Hunger Games.  The trailers leave you feeling tense and with a feeling of anticipation.  That is exactly the purpose they are meant to serve.
     I am extremely excited about this film, and I am very confident that it will meet and possibly even exceed my expectations.  I, and the world, will be watching Thursday night ;).

Katelyn:
     I will pick up where Victoria left off:  with the marketing campaign.  They are taking a very interesting angle with their promotions and what not.  They are literally putting fans in the position of a district citizen by allowing them to register for ID cards and joining their district.  I got on to thecapitol.pn while Victoria was writing her bit and registered.  Apparently I am a dockworker in District 4.  Not sure how good I would be at lifting, but it seems much better than a coal mine to me.  The sun, the sea, the spray... a nice view of Finnick.  What is not to like?  Ok, besides the fighting to the death thing.  On these sites, they promote the film like they are promoting the actual 74th Hunger Games with notes about viewing being required for all citizens.  None of the trailers show the actual games, so it is like they haven't happened yet.  There is even a Capital Couture page.  Rather than bombarding us with sneak peeks, they um... "captiolizing" on social networking to do their promotion for them.  At least 5 of my friends have gotten these cards and all their friends see them and think, "hmm... what is this Hunger Games?"  Well played, Lionsgate.  Not only do you have us excited about promoting your movie, you have gained access to our demographic info.  Kudos on clever marketing.  I am not being cynical or complaining, because I think this is a great move on their part. Movie making is a big BUSINESS, as well as an art, so it is not a bad thing that they are promoting this with all they have.

My District 4 ID

Here is what I want to see from the film:

• Gale and Peeta as more than eye candy.  The two male leads are there for more than being pretty and making a nice little love triangle.  They have distinct personalities and reflect the different extremes in Katniss.  Gale is tough to the point of being brutal and Peeta is caring to the point of self-sacrifice.  In a way, who she ends up choosing is a reflection of the side of herself that she chooses to embrace.  She can live in bitterness or love and be loved.  This contrast must be set up early to work.  Gale's dark side is present from the very beginning when he tells Katniss that killing animals isn't really different than killing people so she should have the upper hand.  Filmmakers will be doing the character a great disservice if they make him into stock love interest.
• Bloody Death.  Ok, it is morbid, but the Hunger Games is supposed to be disgusting and horrifying.  Should they turn it into a slasher?  Definitely not.  There has to be a balance, and the emotional component is crucial to this goal.  Going too gory would be disgusting and over the top but making it too gentle defeats the purpose.  It should always be obvious that we are dealing with scared kids, not ruthless adults.  The feeling of the Games must be preserved for the movie to work.
• Rue and Prim.  For Rue's death to have the impact it should, there needs to be setup in the relationship with Prim as well as a decent amount of character development for Rue.  They are more than cute twelve year-olds, they represent the most horrific part of the games.  They are the innocents that would never stand a chance.  Katniss protects Prim's innocence at the cost of her own, and she cannot turn off her maternal instinct.  It seems just from the trailer that the relationship is set up well, so that is reassuring.  Madge's character was axed in the process, but if that is the price that must be paid, it is well worth it.
• Haymitch is NOT just comic relief.  Sure he is a drunk, and does stupid drunk things like fall off the stage.  The reasons behind his drunkenness are dead serious.  He is living proof that the games never end.  He will be haunted by his games for the rest of his life and to make it worse he has to lead two more children to their deaths every year.  This comes in later with the morphlings and Annie.  He is just the first example of the lasting psychological toll it takes.
• The Capitol system is evil, the support team is not.  Effie and the prep team are Capital people through and through, but they do not hate the districts.  They are also not evil people.  They are shallow, gullible, and amoral but as far as they know they are normal.  This comes into play in Catching Fire and Mockingjay.  The Capitol citizens are conditioned to be detached and when they become attached to Katniss and Peeta they cannot handle losing them.  The system (and Snow) are evil.  They are the ones pulling the strings. 

As you can see, my wish list is not very long.  I hope it stays close to the book but is not limited to Katniss' first person.  I have faith in the filmmakers and the actors to do the best they can.  I am looking forward to the end product.

I suppose the only thing left to say is "Happy Hunger Games!  May the odds be ever in your favor."