I never saw such a woman: My Hunger Games Movie Review

So now that I have run the gauntlet of Hunger Games fans to see the movie I'm here to tell you what I think about it!

And what I think is that it was wonderful. Watching the movie just reminded me how far above the rest Hunger Games is in terms of the quality of the story. It goes so far beyond your typical love story.

I really love how they brought District 12 to life. I had always known that it was a dark, sorrowful place, but I never really took the time to imagine it fully. It was a bit of a shock to see how much District 12 felt like a 3rd world country.

Even before I saw the movie I had a feeling that they picked a good Katniss. Jennifer Lawrence did a wonderful job of portraying the complicated, head strong, and yet completely oblivious (at least when it comes to boys) Katniss Everdeen.

Willow Shields makes a perfect Prim. It was heartbreaking to watch her screaming for Katniss when she took Prim's place in the reaping.

Liam Hemsworth was a very good choice for Gale. Not only is he HOT, he's perfect for the rugged, brooding Gale. I really loved getting to see him watch Katniss in the games. Ok, maybe I didn't LOVE seeing him hurt, but it was a great addition to the story.

It really helped set everything up for Catching Fire. In the book once Katniss leaves for the Capital after the reaping you almost forget about the districts, but the movie did a great job of showing us what was happening there. I got a better sense of the discord.

Josh Hutcherson plays Peeta. The only problem I have with Peeta is that he's a little on the short side, other than that I think he did a great job with the character. He's got a good feel on the nice, loyal boy-next-door angle. I was a little skeptical of him at the beginning, but as I watched him be Peeta he grew on me more and more. When Katniss came and found him after they made the change in the rules he seemed so earnest and hopeful about the possibility that Katniss might care for him. Sigh...

I'm excited to see the dynamic between Katniss and Peeta in the coming movies. (Although if I'm being honest, what I'm the MOST excited to see is Finnick!!!!!)

Elizabeth Banks plays the colorful (to put it lightly) Effie Trinket. I wasn't excited about her character before I saw the movie, but by the end of it I've gotta say she was one of my favorite parts! The things I found slightly annoying in the book were quite hilarious in the movie.

She was great comic relief for the rather intense movie.

Woody Harrelson plays Haymitch Abernathy. Haymitch is exactly the kind of character that steals my heart. Grizzly, damaged, but with a good heart. Aside from the members of the tragicaly twisted love triangle I would say that Haymitch was my favorite character. Especially after you see him leave his booze (mostly) behind and take on the investors to save Katniss and Peeta.

The other tributes, particularly the Careers were very intimidating. Especially once they go into the arena and you see them brutally attacking each other.

Rue on the other hand is nothing but adorable. She was just about everything I pictured her to be. I cried once again when she died and Katniss sang to her.

Cinna was a character I was really looking forward to, and I think Lenny Kravitz was great. I also really loved the way they interpreted the clothes he made for Katniss and Peeta. Awesome.

Caesar Flickerman was played by Stanley Tucci and he was absolutely perfect.

Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) was a very interesting character. His role in the book was very small, if you would even call it a role. In the movie you see a whole new dynamic to the hunger games, you see the man behind the curtain. In fact it was a little reminiscent of the Truman Show. I'm a little amazed that they pulled a character and story line out of he hat like this one. It was complex, intriguing, and full of surprises. Particularly his last scene, I thought that was brilliant.

Donald Sutherland made President Snow into the mean dictator that Collins depicted him as. I'm a little nervous to see what he's like in Catching Fire.