Today the embargo ended and film critics were given the go ahead to publish full reviews of The Hunger Games.
So far they have been overwhelmingly good. I do not know what I was expecting from the critics to say, I feared that it would be the same as Twilight. That they just wouldn't get it, but so far it looks like they do and the movie is currently averaging a 4 out of 5 star rating.
This can only boost the amount of bums on seats. Before today they were tracking The Hunger Games to make over 100mil on its first weekend (it has already smashed the pre booking record) now it looks like it might make even more. Some are saying it could be the biggest money maker of the year even bigger than The Dark Knight Rises (The Dark Knight made over a billion at the box office) although personally I doubt it.
Here are some of the things that had to say:
'As thrilling and smart as it is terrifying. There have been a number of big-gun literary series brought to screen over the past decade. This slays them all.'
‘The Hunger Games looks poised to usher in a brand new hit franchise and deserves all the credit it gets for its confrontational subject matter, delicately-orchestrated fight sequences and sci-fi sensibilities. For the teen/young adult audiences, films don't get much darker - or smarter - than this.’
‘Similarly well-chosen are Hutcherson as the charismatic yet sensitive Peeta, Tucci as blue-wigged Capitol presenting megastar Caesar Flickerman and Sutherland as series antagonist President Snow. In fact, for fans of the novels, it’s hard to pick out a single character that has been grossly miscast. The film's faults - of which there are few - are criticisms that could be aimed at the books themselves (its narrative similarity to Battle Royale, the tried-and-tested love triangle formula, the mutts) and Ross more than makes up for such blemishes with some sterling direction and impactful, yet carefully handled, scenes of violence.’
‘Ross has done more than churn out a faithful adaptation of the book. His vision of the world of The Hunger Games is bigger, scarier, darker, and more political than the books ever dared to be.’
‘What’s remarkable is the lack of cheese. Tacky effects, corny dialogue and creaky performances are all shown the door.’
‘A faithful adap, a grown-up teen movie and flaming good entertainment.’
‘You can’t take your eyes off Jennifer Lawrence as the ox-hearted, mud-freckled Katniss, who volunteers as her district’s female Games contestant to save her younger sister from the draft. She’s even more compelling here than she was in the 2010 indie Winter’s Bone.’
‘The Hunger Games is an essential science fiction film for our times; perhaps the essential science fiction film of our times. Whatever your age, it demands to be devoured.’
'The Hunger Games is a bold, intelligent and entertaining movie, and a brilliant adaptation of the book. If only all action films could be this good'
Sounds pretty good! The reviews are not perfect and they do pick up on some faults, but mostly it is praise.
Thoughts? So do you think this matters or not? How big do you think The Hunger Games is going to be?
Is anyone as buzzed as I am about this movie? LOL
I AM SO EXCITED!
(I will add links for reviews inside)