The Hunger Games was a good movie but could have been great! The cast that was picked is excellent and embodies what I pictured in the book well. Where this movie disappointed me was in the details. Yes, I know that you cannot put the entire book in the movie so it is ok to edit out minor details. But the dialogue was not even close to what was said in the book, making the story less recognizable. Also, important scenes in the arena, for instance the entire time the two main Katniss and Peeta spent hiding in the cave, was completely glossed over. This is unfortunate because Katniss and Peeta's feelings for each other really came to light during that point in the book and is very important to future films. This is a "must go" for non-readers and a "so-so" or "go" for people who are expecting the books to come to life.

I spent the entire movie waiting for that "moment" that would make me care about the characters, the way I did in the book. The movie did a disservice to the book. The acting was mediocre, Woody Harrelson( Haymitch) was great as was Isabel Furhman (Clove), no one else made much of an impression, except maybe the dude who played Peeta. He was okay, just okay..

I thought they really did a good job bringing this story to life. The scenes were more gut wrenching and intense seeing than reading, I sobbed hard during a few crucial parts even. Started crying a few times early in the anticipation of knowing what was about to come. The end though, they really hurried the ending and missed out on a few very crucial pieces to the story, 10 mins more woulda done!

For those that have not read the book will find that it is a very good and entertaining movie. For those die hard fans out there, it was exciting to see the book come to life, but the movie left some things to be desired; a few more crucial details from the book would have been nice. The acting was ok, but the chemistry and relationships between characters needs to be worked on for the next movie.

in terms of a movie, it is FANTASTIC. in terms of the book, meh... they definitely left out a few key parts if you read the book. *******SPOILER ALERT - if you haven't read the book, DONT READ THIS!******** peeta is supposed to lose his leg. it is vitally important for the next two books... ***NOT A SPOILER*** there is an awesome amount of gore (but not too nasty), so that is pretty true to the book. great special effects and score! anyway, go see it. now. i'm serious. stop reading this. NOW. go to the movies! ^not kidding about that last comment