“The Hunger Games” or can you say perfect?

Wow! That was wonderful.  This is exactly what a book adaptation should be!  I was really concerned about how this would turn out.  I am a huge fan of the books, and after the  “John Carter” fiasco I have to admit I was pretty nervous.  But this movie knocked it out of the park for me. Unlike the horrible “John Carter” adaptation, where the screenwriter apparently, (and mistakenly) thought he was a better plot writer than the original author (he wasn’t) and completely reworked the story in a way that was not an improvement, “The Hunger Games” was beautifully adapted.  It probably helped that the author Suzanne Collins worked on the screenplay with the director Gary Ross.  The result is a wonderful and accurate translation of the book to film.

The casting also played a big part in the success of this film.  Jennifer Lawrence was perfect in the lead role of Katniss Everdeen.  I was afraid that Josh Hutcherson, known for the “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and ”Cirque du Freak” would be too Disney for this role but he did a very solid and believable job as Peeta. 

Gary Ross captured the essence of the book very well.  Although some small characters were left out (I would bet because of time restraints) all of the major plot points were in place and even most of the small details.  Ross was not afraid to let the audience infer what was happening, especially in the flashbacks.  He did not try to over explain. He apparently understands that we are sophisticated movie viewers and can understand these ideas without heavy handed, over direction and that it was not necessary to explain Kat’s internal confusion about her relationship with Peeta, we understood.

I have to admit; this movie left me hungry for more, if you will pardon the pun.  Now I can’t wait to see “Catching Fire” brought to the screen.   I was totally drawn into the world of Katniss.  The long running time did not even matter.  It moved by so quickly I did not realize that two and a half hours had passed.  I just left me wanting more.  Well Done!!

“John Carter” of Mars or why I’m never happy with Edgar Rice Burroughs translations

Well, I went this week to see “John Carter”, I had been waiting for this for months, and I was very, very excited.  I love ERB and all his books; I have read and reread the Tarzan books since I was a kid.   And I thought the John Carter of Mars series was a great way to start a new Sci-Fi franchise.  Effects have finally gotten to the point where all of the great alien characters from the “Princess of Mars” can be believably brought to life.  And they were, but in a story really different from the one written by Burroughs.  I am not really sure why moviemakers always feel the need to rewrite his books.  They have remained popular for almost a hundred years, due in large part to their solid, engaging characters and exciting stories about men and women in situations completely alien to our experience, but still very recognizable to the reader.   The only movie that has ever been even slightly on target was the 1984 version, “Greystoke”, and even that took quite a few liberties. 

I wish “John Carter” had only taken a few liberties.  Basically they have taken ERB’s characters and rewritten the storyline almost completely.  If I, like the friend I went with, had never read the books, then I may have enjoyed the film (he did), but because I have read the books, more than once, all my brain kept telling me is, “this is wrong, this is wrong!”

John Carter became an angry PTSD suffer, obsessed with gold, instead of a highly competent, courageous, and experienced warrior.  His friend Powell became his enemy and the mysterious means of transport to Mars became an amulet (because we cannot leave anything unexplained, even though that is what ERB meant to happen). His super strength, on Mars becomes only the ability to jump incredible distances, and his military training does not even come into play.

Tars Tarkas and the green Martians became savages living in huts, instead of savvy, highly political movers, living in a marble city.  Sola, became a victim, instead of a strong female character. And even the story of the river Iss and their religious mythology was completely changed with the most important aspects left out.  (Apparently even alien stories that debunk religion are against the PC Disney mindset.)  And the war between the different factions is dropped as secondary to the “gladiator/arena” scene.  The friendship between Tars Tarkas and John Carter was never developed, even though that is very important to this story and later stories.  

I wish I could say I enjoyed this more, but I am hesitant to recommend not seeing it.  If you have never read the books it could be a very entertaining movie, however, if you have read the books and are a fan of Edgar Rice Burroughs, you may be greatly disappointed, I know I was.