'Hunger Games' author offers her take on the finished film
Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins is following in the foot$teps of fellow Young Adult authors J.K. Rowling () and Stephenie Meyer () by turning her series of novels into a blockbuster movie franchise 鈥� one that is already . However, the eager early ticket buyers were most likely those who were already fans of聽聽novels; the movie鈥檚 appeal to the general public will rest entirely on the quality of the film that director Gary Ross (Seabiscuit) has put together.
Of all the many opinions on The Hunger Games聽movie that will be forthcoming in the next few weeks, there is almost certainly one opinion that matters more than the rest: that of Suzanne Collins herself. Well, the author has now seen the finished version of her story onscreen; read on to hear her thoughts.
This is what Collins posted on her regarding The Hunger Games movie:
Dear Readers,
I鈥檝e just had the opportunity to see the finished film of The Hunger Games. I鈥檓 really happy with how it turned out. I feel like the book and the film are individual yet complementary pieces that enhance one another. The film opens up the world beyond Katniss鈥� point of view, allowing the audience access to the happenings of places鈥� like the Hunger Games control room and President Snow鈥檚 rose garden, thereby adding a new dimension to the story.
Director Gary Ross has created an adaptation that is faithful in both narrative and theme, but he鈥檚 also brought a rich and powerful vision of Panem, its brutality and excesses, to the film as well. His world building鈥檚 fantastic, whether it be the Seam or the Capitol. It鈥檚 amazing to see things that are suggested in the book fully developed and so brilliantly realized through the artistry of the designers.
And, my God, the actors. The cast, led by the extraordinary Jennifer Lawrence, is absolutely wonderful across the board. It鈥檚 such a pleasure to see how they鈥檝e embodied the characters and brought them to life.
So I鈥檇 like to sincerely thank all the many people who devoted their time and talents to the film, especially producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik, and the excellent teams at Color Force, Larger Than Life, and Lionsgate.
I hope you enjoy the film!
Suzanne Collins
Now, first reaction might be to say that Collins would praise the film no matter what, given the stake she has in its success. But really, that鈥檚 kind of a cynical (and specious) stance to take. Plenty of authors past and present (and future) have seen their work translated from page to screen, and have been very vocal about the fact that little or much was lost in that translation. Then there are writers on the level of eccentric comic book icon Alan Moore, who has such disdain for movie adaptations that he severs all ties from any film based on his work (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), going so far as to prohibit the filmmakers from using his name anywhere in the film credits or promotional materials.
I say all that to say: Collins doesn鈥檛 have聽to play it false. So if she is saying that she liked the film, the cast, and how Gary Ross (an Oscar-nominated director, mind you) and his team have widened the scope of the book (which is told exclusively from Katniss Everdeen鈥檚 (Jennifer Lawrence) point of view) and brought the world of Panem to life in gorgeous detail鈥�.well, there鈥檚 no reason to doubt that she had that genuine reaction to the film.
But again, whether or not those who aren鈥檛 already attached to these characters and story will walk away with such shining praise remains to be seen.
Kofi Outlaw blogs at .
