fishbelly2002

Let's be fair, I am NOT a teenager, and I might like it if I'm under 18.

I did my homework by finishing the book over the weekend b4 watching(for which I don't like already anyway), and hope the actions would make it better.

The whole plot is simply following the book, all those "big events" just laid out to be served by the director. The "romance" is just cheesy and high school like.

Camera work is little overdone for being too shaky, and many of the "actions" are kind of skipped.

Acting wise, it's kind of up and down for Katniss, at some point you can feel her toughness but at times it just feels like she is just being "girl in iron mask". She has hard time interpreting the "fake love" feeling with Peeta. What's worse is the tributes all look so FRESH and unharmed after all the suffering and exhaustion, it almost feels like they just have buffet and sleep 12 hrs daily in the wood.

It just got kind of bad after mid point of movie, I keep seeing people come and go, to get water, get popcorn, go to washroom. And people LAUGH at somewhere that's suppose to be serious (I see a guy in deep sleep in front of me too..)

Nothing lost if you don't watch this movie honestly...

First of all it is better to watch the film in full 4.5 hr instead of watching as 2 parts, which is what I did in film fest.

Secondly, you have to know a little of history and tradition of Taiwan and roles of aboriginals to truly have a feeling for the movie. Just Wiki "Wushe Incident", and "Taiwanese Aboriginal" and that makes things much better as you watch.

Anyway back to the film, the selling point seems to be all the killing, the action, the big budget. However after watching it I've found out it's more about the value of "death" that the film tries to bring to us, and death weights in front of abstract values such as "tradition", "dignity", etc.

It's really an entertaining film for sure and throughout the 4.5 hrs time just flies, and you have to adjust yourself to have that desire to discover more about aboriginals believes and ways of living, much like watching documentary films mentality.

I can't stop comparing this "Civilization vs. Barbarian" plot to what is happening in middle east right now. In such sense history is repeating, and the film is definitely pointing out how pointless the loss of lives is (depends on which stand you are taking though).

Overall this is one of the best and most enjoyable films in recent years. The director is trying to lead us to think critically towards topics on death, values, tradition and how these would change when worlds collide.

The film is promoted as the first 3D porn to attract viewers, it is no doubt a very smart way of making $$ for the movie company, but I think those who pay to watch the film should totally readjust the mindset going into this film.

If you are expecting lots of sex scenes and expecting inappropriate things flying 3D in your face, you are asking for too much. When I bought the ticket to watch this film, I totally expected this to be a nonsense comedy that doesn't really make much sense.

When you take that approach I think this film is way more enjoyable. I find it quite entertaining and laughable at some scenes (so are fellow viewers, who couldn't stop laughing at some scenes), and even though a little cheesy, there is a theme into it.

Thing I give big thumbs up are the costumes and props, it makes me realize the producer is taking this film very seriously instead of just a low budget stupid movie. The musical department also deserves lots of credit as the sex scenes are quite steamy because of the background music they use.

Again, this is NOT an artistic film, just take it as a bubble gum film that makes you laugh for 2 hours.