Why I Enjoyed Hunger Games, The Movie

The answer is simple.

Because I didn’t read the book.

While almost everyone were, or still are, raving about Hunger Games (the novel), therefore getting a lot of recommendations for those who yet haven’t read it to read it at once, I’m honestly glad that I didn’t.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed a lot of books turned into films, and not one of them had I ever left the cinema without feeling disappointed. “That wasn’t included.” “This was changed.” “Nothing like that ever happened in the book.” By now, I should have ensconced in my head that, no, movie adaptations will never parallel the paperbacks. Of course, there are logical grounds as to why, and even authors/novelists would agree on that. (And I say this because not one of them had ever complained about how their works were different from what turned out on the silver screen). Then again, for some unknown reason, I as well couldn’t wrap my head around that conception. I just couldn’t accept the idea that the one I’ve seen was, for the most part, unlike from what I’ve read.

When I learned that Hunger Games was going to be turned into a movie, I debated against myself whether I should read it first. I voted no. And for the second time, let me repeat that I’m really glad that I didn’t. Because if I had, would I cry when Rue died? Would my heart flutter and get giddy when Katniss out of nowhere kissed Peeta at that little cave? Would it fascinate me how they both got to the end of the competition alive? Would I even savor their triumph?

No, I wouldn’t. Heck, I wouldn’t even hold my breath, or feel my heart pulsate in rapid beats, or hang on to the armrest of my seat for every gripping moment. Had I read the book first, each scene would be dull and boring. So what’s the point of watching it in the first place?

Since I had zero memory to relive in my head, I had no clue whatsoever as to what will happen next. I had nothing to expect, and it’s fun. It’s fun being clueless. And that’s why I was able to enjoy the film in its entirety.

If I finally decide to read the book later, and find that it was different from the movie adaptation, it wouldn’t matter anymore. Of course, I would also enjoy the book, but the overall enjoyment I got from watching it on the big screen will never be taken away from me.

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Note: This article was written not to create a dispute against those who didn’t enjoy the film, but merely an expression of my opinion. Thanks for reading.

Comments

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pulotpukyutan #1 Apr 1, 2012 11:04:15

@aranayad: i'm glad you're one of those people (or two, including your friend) who have read the book and enjoyed the movie as well regardless of the differences between the two. i think i may have written the article above due to some HG(novel) fans who have watched the film and expressed their disappointment over it. but, really, i don't blame them. i've been in the same predicament for a number of times before it's quite annoying already. which is why i came up with a solution of my own and decided to share it.

then again, of course, it's always your preference. whatever and wherever suit you should always come first.

thanks for your 2 cents on my article! =)

pulotpukyutan #2 Apr 1, 2012 10:55:19

@kprincess1995: good for you if you haven't watched any of the Harry Potter movies. i, for one, had not been a fan of them. i did watch 6 of them though, but somewhere in the 6th, i fell asleep. and i have yet to watch the two parts of the last installment, which had been buried in my hard disk for months now.

well, we all have different preferences. i used to do that, too. read the book first and then watch the movie later. but as it had always turned out, i get disappointed, and then i'll start regretting because i wasted my money. (i'm a very thrifty/practical person so i hate wasting.)

i think the idea of watching the movie first before reading the book is more of like my way to not spoil the experience of enjoying the film adaptation. and really, my experience with watching Hunger Games had been fun and exciting.

but like i've said, if i would read the book, there's no doubt i would love and enjoy it. after all, it was the original.=)

aranayad #3 Apr 1, 2012 00:35:24

Well,i have to comment to this bcoz i read the book first before watching it and i was “That wasn’t
included.” “This wasn’t
changed.” “Nothing like that
ever happened in the book.” inside the cinema with my friend who also read the book first.. i know we and you have a different point of view but at the end of the day we both enjoyed the movie.

BestWeTheBoyz #4 Mar 31, 2012 14:23:02

I've read the book and I haven't watch the movie yet. Actually, I always like to read the book first before watching the movie. But unfortunately, after I read the books, I lost interest in watching it. I like to imagine what happens, really. so I can improve my imaginative skills. I've done reading the Harry Potter Series long before but then can you believe it, I haven't watch a single Harry Potter movie.