Hunger for more

I watched "The Hunger Games" with Hannah opening weekend.  Impressions?  It was pretty dang awesome.  My thirst for the novel is now at a peak.  I started reading the book more than a year and a half ago, but stopped just a few pages in when I learned of a movie in the offing.  I've learned that movies based on books are more enjoyable pre-reading.

I disliked the cinematography.  The camera shake seemed excessive (I actually got motion sick halfway though the arena sequences) and the protracted hand-to-hand scenes became a detriment to the film.  These complaints pale next to the praise I can heap on Collins for developing such a great protagonist.  Producers, directors, casting directors and, of course, Jennifer Lawrence also get kudos for transferring and executing the role so well.

There seems to be an insurgence of outstanding strong female rolls in films lately.  Lawrence and the character Katniss are probably the quintessential example, but I've been well taken by other great character/actor combinations like Olivia Wilde's "Quorra" in Tron Legacy (I liked it so much I gave that name to my daughter.)  These ladies have grasped an ability to lead an action film without being butch, krass or lascivious while maintaining an air of vulnerability and femininity.  It's a niche that I feel hasn't been well exploited in film and I hunger for more.