After being accepted as Tribute for her district, a young woman is forced to enter an arena in a fight to the death with one winner, but she inspires a nation in the process.

Haunting, especially the grey scenes in District 12, Katnis really looks like she's shell-shocked through most of the movie. It's a low-key entry into a blockbuster series, and it's obvious that they didn't know that they'd had a hit on their hands. Although it follows the book very closely, it lacks something that brings it into greatness territory.

Even now, having just read the book, I found the movie to be a great representation, with all the right beats and dialog from the book. But it's missing something in the execution, the spirit, and it often feels like it's just going through the motions. It's still a great movie, but I think it could have been better.

I like this movie more and more. Maybe it's because I didn't read the book immediately before watching it, but I liked it even better this time. I especially liked the first half, before Katniss was sent into the games. The music, her reactions and expressions, the stark landscape in District 12, really brought home the hopelessness these people face. Then, having a champion in the games, they have a little hope. The games were by-the-book, but it's clear that she's a target throughout. Except for the rule change at the end, which is just like the book, everything is so well done, so well made.

This is the first time I've rewatched the movie after rereading the book. How much of the book I've forgotten since watching the movie! It goes into so much more depth, and though every action that occurs in the movie also occurs in the book, it's easier to forget that this is a tragic situation while watching the movie. It turns into an action movie, with only a little action. It's still great, but really pales in comparison to the book, which I had forgotten the last couple of times watching.

After having watched all the movies, I now return back to the original. It's clear that the producers didn't know what kind of hit they were going to have, because this movie has a steady pace, with quick bits of action. Mostly it's waiting around, which is obviously how Katniss spends her time in the Arena. But it's missing the spunk of the movies that followed it.

I think this was better the second time. Even though I knew the story when I first saw the movie, I think I was anticipating the next moves too much. Still, when compared to the novel, this movie is a pale copy. I really wish there had been more with Rue. I think under a different director, this movie could have really come more alive. Maybe, now that they know there is an audience, the second movie will be even more spectacular.

Although the book is better, the movie is still really good. It contains all of the actions from the novel; unfortunately, it doesn't quite rise to the intensity or go beyond, which is something that it needed to do. The novel succeeds mostly because of Katniss' thoughts and presumptions; the movie is fun to see it all happen. The time really flew by, and it was over before I knew it, which is a good sign. I was anticipating every action right before it occurred. I think I liked the dogs at the climax of the movie better than the werewolves with faces of the dead tributes. It was great to see this book come to life!