‘The Hunger Games’ Postmortem: Five Lessons MTV Wants Applied to ‘Catching Fire’
MTV’s latest Hunger Games article has 5 suggestions on how ‘Catching Fire’ can build upon the success of the first film: (minor spoiler alert if you’ve not yet read Catching Fire)
DO keep the arena underwraps
This one isn’t so much for Ross as it is for the Gamemakers at Lionsgate, but we have to recognize the studio’s smart decision to use only pre-Games footage in their aggressive marketing campaign for the film. In fact, I’d go so far as to say my favorite parts of the movie were from the arena, largely because they were fresh and unexpected. With the Quarter Quell’s intriguing new venue, Lionsgate would be wise to build anticipation by keeping the tropical death trap shrouded in mystery.DON’T skimp on the CGI
If there was a consistent complaint I heard from “Hunger Games” fans following the film’s release, it was that the Girl on Fire scene — in which Katniss and Peeta introduce themselves to the Capitol, riding atop a chariot and flaunting flame-licked jumpsuits representative of their coal-mining home — was … underwhelming. The flame effect just didn’t look real enough. With a slew of new sci-fi aspects introduced in “Catching Fire,” including mutated monkeys, we hope Ross can invest a bit more in the film’s digital technology.DO capitalize on Stanley Tucci
Say what you will about Jennifer Lawrence’s gripping, gritty performance as Katniss Everdeen, but if anyone could be categorized as the film’s scene-stealer, it was most certainly Stanley Tucci, whose blue-haired, big-teethed Caesar Flickerman was nothing short of mesmerizing (and a handy exposition device to boot!). Heck, I’d pay to watch a Caesar Flickerman spin-off once all three (four?) “Hunger Games” films debut. “Caesar Flickerman: Not So Blue.” Think about it, Lionsgate.
DON’T downplay the dangers of the arena
Between her 23 fellow tributes, tracker jackers and muttations, Katniss had plenty to contend with in the arena. But, as my roommate so astutely pointed out to me long after I watched the film and didn’t notice, we never really see Katniss hungry or thirsty. Limiting the violence for a PG-13 rating is an understandable edit, but why dull down the deadliness of the Games otherwise? In “Catching Fire,” we need to see Katniss and her fellow tributes truly struggle, not simply limp along.DO make artful additions (especially if they’re directed by Steven Soderbergh)
By shifting the viewpoint of the film from Katniss’ first-person perspective, Ross was able to open up the world of Panem in a way we hadn’t experienced before. The addition of the control room, Seneca Crane’s implied death by berries and, most notably, the District 11 riot only added to the film.
We’ve already posted a great write-up on the extra scenes included in the film that weren’t in the book, but if you could give Gary Ross one suggestion for an improvement to help create ‘Catching Fire’, what would it be? Sound off in the comments!
Source: MTV.com
@Amanda “we never get to know Peeta like we do in the book and how sad that is.” I am in 100% agreement with this. I also felt the same about RUE.
I was also devastated when they left out Katniss freaking out in the end, It could have been a silent montage or something seeing her on the other side of the glass, showing how she is still trapped even though they won. That being said I hope they take advantage of her freaking out when she realizes she *spoiler* has to go back in.
Also, they downplayed the Mutts/mutations, hopefully they play them up in CF or explain the Mocking Jay a little more as it correlates to *SPOILERS* Peeta in MJ becoming a Mutt/mutation. Also, adds to the futuristic feel, which I felt was lacking.
Also, I think the irony of the Mocking Jay itself has been completely lost. Just wanted to tack that on to my above memo. That whole back story is fascinating to me and really a central thematic element. For someone who didn’t read the book they could have used a sparrow or something and they would never understand why it was important.
i agree with NatiMellark! they REALLY dulled down a lot of what made Peeta so charming. Josh was a fantastic Peeta when they actually let him play Peeta, but we didn’t see enough of Peeta’s charisma.
Personally, I was extremely underwhelmed and unimpressed by the chariot scene. Sure, they were on fire, but they were supposed to be on fire ALL OVER, hell, I remember they even had a head piece to add more dramatic effect! I also thought that scene was way too fast for all the hype and expectations it was getting (one of the scenes I was anxiously waiting for and I wound up really disappointed). Additional CGI: Peeta’s leg, or lack thereof AND the mutts were just big dogs.. I expected something different.
Also: I do agree with everyone saying that Peeta wasn’t developed enough; in the first book, I was drawn to Peeta right away because he was genuine and charismatic.. I felt like Peeta was barely even in the movie (Hutcherson did a great job, however). His relationship with Katniss wasn’t developed or structured justly.. She kept shushing him or telling him to stop talking when in the book, she was (albeit acting) but still playful and interactive with Peeta. Besides, I expected more than one kiss.. They do get a lot of sponsors off of those make-out sessions and I just felt like the cave scene was rushed and the fact that they switch to District 12 took away from the intimacy that was supposed to be established.. The ending angered me because they don’t even show Peeta’s heartbreak or shock that Katniss was acting the whole time. They made it seem like it was all truly fabricated.. Including Peeta’s feelings and words.
I feel like such a hater: don’t get me wrong, I LOVE THE MOVIE but there were many things that could’ve been taken out that weren’t even in the book in the first place, in order for it to have been perfect.