I read the Hunger Games trilogy over the summer with the hope of understanding the huge fuss about it. Despite enjoying the series as a whole, I couldn’t help feeling that something was lacking in the content. Whether it was because of the basic descriptions of the settings or the characters (I felt that Collins focused more on action and keeping her readers hooked with cliffhangers at the end of every chapter than offering key insight) or the underdevelopment of the relationship between Katniss and her mother, I felt a bit underwhelmed. Not to mention the brutal violence which seemed to be depicted in a down-goes-another-one sort of way. The Hunger Games books were good but not amazing, like people’s reactions were leading me to believe.

So it was with a mind full of preconceived ideas and hard-set opinions that I attended the screening of the film adaptation last night. Living in the small country that is Belgium, it was a surprise to hear the American twang of congregating teens all around me (it’s an odd thing not to have to bear the French mispronunciation of actors’ and actresses’ name’s – if you live in a non-English speaking country, you will know what I’m talking about). As the lights dimmed and the Lionsgate logo appeared on the screen, you could really feel the anticipation in the theatre. I decided to keep as much of an open mind as I could.

In my humble opinion, the film outshone the books and it is very rarely that I admit to such a thing, being a huge bookworm and being often disappointed with cinema adaptations. I felt the author’s intention was communicated better through the film adaptation. The underlying political theme of rebellion and fighting against oppression was clear in the scenes of the revolution in District 11 and the discussion in between Peeta and Katniss the night before the Games begun. On top of this, seeing the grotty district 12, the colourful and creative Capitol fashion as well as the arena from the view point of the gamemakers, made the whole dystopian concept really come to life. Especially with the camera action.

But people have had mixed feelings about the way the Hunger Games was filmed, what with the wobbling and shaking during the action scenes and the odd camera angles in places. At first, I was a bit put off by it. But once I got used to it, I figured that it was exactly what made the movie so appealing. The producers were trying to break boundaries, to try something different, and to take you along for a physical and emotional ride. I don’t know about you but I could feel my own adrenaline pumping when the tributes were running towards the Cornucopia. I felt like I was inside Katniss’s head after she got bit by the trackerjackers (what a great piece of editing!). And I thought someone was pulling at my heartstrings during the scene after Rue’s death.

Another thing that I would like to mention are the little changes made during the book to film transition. Usually, these things really drive me crazy. I mean, I still haven’t gotten over that Burrow-burning scene in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (David Yates, what went through your head?!). But in the Hunger Games’s case, I thought that these slight alterations were actually for the better. When Katniss gave Prim the mockingjay pin only for her sister to return it tor her upon their parting, it symbolically became an object of sisterly love and of protection. Much better than the gift received from Madge. Also, the added discussion scene in between President Snow and Seneca Crane gave a fair bit of insight into the workings of the Capitol leader’s mind, insight which we did not get to see in the books. Thank goodness the producers didn’t resort to stereotypical methods like evil smirks and cheesy lines to make Snow appear like the villain. The subtlety of Donald Sutherland’s perfomance was quietly brilliant.

In fact, I can’t really denounce any of the actors’ performances. I loved the portrayals of the characters in the film. Katniss Everdeen was the character that I just couldn’t get to like in the books. I wanted to, but I couldn’t. A heroine prone to annoying moodswings and stubbornness, she would easily get on my nerves. I thought that Jennifer Lawrence made the character much more likeable and relatable. Also, I thought that Gale and Peeta were both excellently cast. However my favourite portrayal has to be Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy. Drunk, hilarious but also vulnerable and weak, he was just brilliant.

I think I get the Hunger Games hype a bit more now.