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.
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