The Hunger Games

Fact- without the popularity of the book, the movie would have never been considered.
Therefore, to blindly accept this adaptation without comparison of the book, suggests that the quality of entertainment has suffered of late, and the public as a whole, will accept anyhting as long as they are told it is good.
"The Hunger Games" as a movie fails to connect the audience to the motivating factor prescibing the desperate, life-threatening, actions- HUNGER. Void of depth, but constant to the charm of the book, the movie flows throughout the games skipping a hint of desperation. The love Katniss experienced for Rue, and (although unspooken) Peeta, is poorly rooted with a few moments of silent handmotions and immediate forgiveness of obvious betrayal with the Careers. Ross failed to absord the core of this story (rebellion)and furthermore failed to connect the pain of normal living conditions and the emotional hell of becoming slaves to the "Hunger Games."
So I say of the review well done- a pure and honest representation from someone who understands and recognizes the value of quality entertainment and the integrity of a well written book/ series.

This review is, to put it bluntly, ridiculous. The Hunger Games movie follows the book more closely than any movie adaptation of a book I have ever seen. The addition of scenes not in the book (president Snow and Seneca Crane) was, in my opinion, smart and inspired, giving viewers insights into the machinations of other characters that could not be accessed in the first person narration of the book. These scenes will help set up the sequels. Your criticism of the muttations in the movie is short-sighted: the book version would not have played well in movie form because, with the compressed time, viewers did not have time to become familiar enough with the faces of the tributes in order to recognize them on the mutts. This is not a well-rounded review. You make no mention of the costumes, set designs, or even the performances really. It would have been foolish for Gary Ross to risk an R rating (and therefore eliminate the audience that brought this book to prominence) by having the degree of harshness and violence that you wished for. That criticism has gotten really old and needs to be put away, never to see the light of day again! You have lost all credibility to me as a movie reviewer.

Your review is ridiculous - this thing is a smash and is a great adaptation from the book. It keeps the violence to a level that allows kids to see it, while maintaining interest from adults. You went out of your way to poo poo a movie made in your back yard - that will be one of the biggest films in history. Not smart.

I have to wonder how accurate this is. Especially after Toppman gave John Carter 3 stars. A movie that strayed almost complete from the book. I want a review that deals just with the movie as we see it. Maybe Toppman should listen to Bob & Sheri's Peoples Movie Critic for tips on how this is done.

Follow Up - 3/24/12.From http://boxofficemojo.com
The Hunger Games received a strong "A" CinemaScore, and should finish the weekend with anywhere from $135 million to $160 million.

THE SUCCESS OF GONE WITH THE WIND WAS THAT PRODUCER DAVID O. SELZNICK ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT IF THE FILM IS BASED ON THE SUCCESS OF A BEST SELLING BOOK STAY CLOSE TO THAT BOOK.ITS SUCCESSFUL FOR A REASON.