I went to the bookstore to find the latest momaha.com book club book, only to find myself standing in the young adult section. There, next to ”Twilight” and other books I swore I’d never read, was ”The Hunger Games.” I left empty-handed.
However, the hype intensified and the momaha forums blew up with rave reviews. Friends finished their book in two days and insisted I borrow theirs.
Wow. It was akin to being pregnant and holding off on wearing maternity pants for as long as your sore tummy could take it. You finally give in and wonder why in the world you waited so long. Sweet relief! A world you never knew existed, but a world you don’t ever want to leave.
I read all three books in lightning speed. I rushed bedtimes and skipped laundry to get more reading time. I consider myself a bit of book snob and this book ranks in my top 5 list.
So to say I’m excited for the movie is a bit of an understatement. As the trailers started to air, I would shut off the TV or walk out of the room. Yes, I know the storyline and who was cast as the actors, so the only thing left is to see how the director has interpreted what is in my head. Book lovers never think a movie can capture a fan’s imagination. But, a few forced trailers later, I think they did.
“The Hunger Games” is a post-apocalyptic story of a 16 year-old girl who is forced to battle 23 other teenagers to the death as a reminder to everyone that the Capitol (think dictator) is omnipotent.
I’ve lost you already, haven’t I? I struggle with telling you anything about the storyline because it will make you not want to see the movie. (I tried this on a couple friends and their eyes glazed over.) But you should.
Instead, here are some things that the movie/story offers:
Enough action for your husband to actually like the movie. The Game scenes are intense and emotional. It also has a touch of sci-fi for people like my husband (though the following books have much more).
If you ask most book fans what they’re most excited about, they’ll say the set. The Games is a fishbowl of orchestrated attacks that are hard to imagine at times. The costumes and makeup also promise not to disappoint, as the people of the Capitol are narcissistic, eccentric and seem to have endless supplies of gold eyeliner and blue hair dye. Effie Trinket (played by Elizabeth Banks) will be the most flamboyant, based on trailers.
Similar to Twilight’s Edward versus Jacob love triangle, ”The Hunger Games” has Gale and Peeta.
Also like Twilight, a recent poll of book fans says the split of alliances is an overwhelming 70- to-30 percent. Peeta was in favor. I seem to be in the (very insightful) minority. And since my opinions have subjected me to several discussions/disagreements, including a Twitter war with World-Herald columnist Rainbow Rowell, I’ll let you decide for yourselves.
I seem to be in the (very insightful) minority. And since my opinions have subjected me to several discussions/disagreements, including a Twitter war with World-Herald columnist Rainbow Rowell, I’ll let you decide for yourselves.
However, let me just leave you with this photo of the two actors – Liam Hemsworth (Gale) and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta) – that I found from the movie premiere.
You can decide which looks like someone you’d want to share all of your secrets with and which looks like your little brother.
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Are you going to see the movie? Which character(s) is your favorite?
Melissa Cruickshank is married with one daughter. She works full-time. Read her here on momaha.com
