The Hunger Games (DVD, 2012, 2-Disc Set)

I purchased this DVD because I had just finished reading the first book in "The Hunger Games" trilogy. The story was just amazing and I was driven by my desire to see if a movie version could do it any justice. I was not disappointed. The actors portrayals were spot on. The performances were completely believable and played with such honesty that it was very easy to forget that I was watching a movie and not a reality show. There were some differences between the book and the movie, as is usual with book to film adaptations, but they only served to strengthen the plot and move the story along seamlessly. I was delighted that Hollywood had actually allowed Suzanne Collins, the author, to have a heavy hand in the writing of the screenplay. This proved to be a plus because we are allowed a glimpse into realms of the world of Katniss and Peeta that we just were not afforded in the book. The bonus disc in this set was fantastic. It allows you an in depth view of Panem, it's citizens and the corrupt Captital that rules it all. Fans of this book will not be disappointed. Although the book deals with very violent deaths, the movie does not glorify or revel in it. The actual killings are shot in such a manner to show how wrong the games are. This keeps the moral of the original plot intact. Big government sending kids off to war is wrong. What makes it even worse is how it is always the poverty stricken sons and daughters that get the worse end of the deal. "The Hunger Games" may be fictional but the presentation echos only a slight alteration of nonfiction. This is cinematic perfection. I am 42 and my son is 12 and we both throughly enjoyed the book and the movie. I recommend this movie for all ages, young and old.

(IN THE FUTURE, THE TOTALITARIAN NATION OF PANEM - "WHAT WE KNEW AS NORTH AMERICA IS NO MORE!!!" IS DIVIDED BETWEEN 12 DISTRICTS AND THE CAPITOL. WHERE THE CAPITOL SELECTS A BOY AND A GIRL FROM THE TWELVE DISTRICTS BY LOTTERY, TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH ON LIVE TELEVISION. WHEN 16-YEAR-OLD KATNISS'S YOUNG SISTER "PRIM" IS SELECTED AS DISTRICT 12'S FEMALE REPRESENTATIVE, KATNISS VOLUNTEERS TO TAKE HER PLACE. SHE AND HER MALE CONTERPART PEETA REPRESENT DISTRICT 12. THE BIGGEST CONTROVERSY IS THE FACT THE BOOKS ARE "ADULT-R*RATED" AND THE MOVIE IS TONED-DOWN INTO "PG-13..." STILL THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE, AND NEEDS TO BE SEEN... THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAVE A GREAT DAY...) THANK YOU...

I have read all three books and thought the movie was great. They changed a few of the minor detail, like where she gets the pin and Haymitch did not fall off the stage, and Peeta's leg. I think they should have kept a little more with the book in that respect. I am not a big fan of who they pick to play Peeta; just not a fan of him as an actor. Also I wish they had made the movie longer and added more of the details from the book. I loved the movie and could have watched it for another hour! I think they did a great job with Katniss, her mom, sister, and Gail. I love the actress for Rue, she did a great job; all the tributes did a great acting job! I love the movie, and cannot wait for the sequels!!!!

Great movie. I had been wanting to see this film since it was first advertised, but did not wish to pay the "full boat price" at a theatre... or full price when the DVD first became available. That's why I bought this DVD on eBay.

I found the story to be creative and different.

- Why you bought it
I bought this product because of all the hoopla about the books. I decided to read the book first and I'm glad I did. If you have not seen the movie yet, read the book. There are some parts that you would not know what was going on unless you've read the book.

- What you like most about it
Very well done for the young audience the director was going for. For as much gore as there could have been, the director did a great job without losing the action appeal and desperation of each character. Each actor/actress fit their characters well; a sign of good casting. Always good to see Donald Sutherland up to his evil tricks again, lol.

- What you dislike about it
There are parts of the book that I would have liked to have seen in the movie. I won't spoil it if you've never seen the movie or read the book.

-How does this product compare to others?
Unlike other movies that have young people trying to survive, this has a flavor all its own; they are flung into a situation with very little chance of survival, all at the mercy of a random draw.