Here's what I have to say about the Hunger Games. Never read the books so I didn't know what to expect. I knew it was about a tournament in which 24 kids and teens killed each other but boy I did not expect the level of blood, violence and death. This coming from a guy that is not squeamish about watching action and war movies full of everything listed above including gore. Besides that it was a good 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

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!

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 really liked the film. I have two teenage daughters who have read all of the books and heard all the excitement building up to this event. So nice to have a movie without foul language, sex, and nudity with a wonderful theme of self-sacrifice, loyalty and perseverance in the face of all odds (thinking out of the box when death is on the line) The acting was superb, cinematography, directing all well done and I consider myself to be very particular in that arena. The movie was fine for PG13 but with the violence and hand to hand combat I would not recommend it for little children or even tweens depending on the child. Now I am looking forward to reading the book and waiting in anitcipation for the second movie!!!