May the odds be ever in your favor.

Saturday morning, I woke up to the cutest rendition of "Cat Scratch Fever" -- inexplicably sung by ERL while she was brushing her teeth. Then I remembered, we had tickets for the matinee of The Hunger Games. 

Katniss, here we come!

The movie was pretty fantastic. I have to give director Gary Ross credit for nailing all the fan pleasing moments. Fans of the books should be very happy that the film adheres very closely to everything that Suzanne Collins wrote.

[Yes-- I am a huge fan of the Battle Royale films/manga/novel. One of my favorite films of all time. I even imported the DVDs from Japan back in the day and had my DVD player modded so I could watch the films. But does the Hunger Games change my opinion of BR? Not a bit, in fact-- it gives me the chance to point others to see BR--which is finally out now in the US. Oh, and you can also check out Lord of the Flies and The Lottery if you want other similar children-in-peril-because-of-society-etc-etc stories. ]

I don't even have any serious gripes -- though I do feel like the casting could have been better. I think Jennifer Lawrence is amazing and such a cutie (as I mentioned in my review of X-Men: First Class). Her character in Winter's Bone has so much in common with Katniss, that it was a natural fit. I do think that her cherubic face and curvy figure didn't fit my idea of Katniss. Honestly, when I read the books a few years ago -- I couldn't help but think of Kristen Stewart in the role (at least physically). But Jennifer Lawrence's acting chops and her ability to convey Katniss's toughness and vulnerability -- that is what makes her a star.

I think that Josh Hutcherson is too short and just not buff enough to play Peeta (say it like Lois from Family Guy ... Peeee- tttaaaaah.) Acting-wise -- he was serviceable. I actually really like him in other movies, so perhaps in Catching Fire and Mockingjay -- he'll have some better moments.

Wes Bentley -- I thought he would have been a better Cinna than Lenny Kravitz -- but I ended up liking them both.  Effie Trinket will always be Kristin Chenowith, in my opinion -- but Elizabeth Banks did pretty well. Stanley Tucci as Flickerman and Donald Sutherland as President Snow were pretty spot on. I loved Woody Harrelson as Haymitch -- but I always pictured a younger John Hurt when I read the books.

And the whole Rue controversy. Seriously, people are that stupid to Tweet their racism?

I wonder what people who had not read the book, but saw the film, thought of the Capitol and the...fashion. Why does everyone look like Lady Gaga here?  I don't think there was mention of Panem at any point in the movie either. Strange?

Overall, the film really hit all the major moments and was pretty satisfying on its own. I know Catching Fire and Mockingjay are all but assured (with the Hunger Games pulling in $155 million the opening weekend -- uh, yeah.) and have high hopes that the sequels will be as good or better.

*Three finger salute.*

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