The Biggest and Best Surprises in The Hunger Games
As faithful an adaptation as The Hunger Games film was, there were naturally some liberties taken – which resulted in some surprises to fans of the trilogy. Luckily for us, most of those surprises were pleasant ones! NextMovie has compiled their list of the Biggest and Best Surprises from The Hunger Games movie but not in the book.
Warning: This list is chock full of SPOILERS if you have yet to see the film!
Foxface and Katniss Bump into Each Other
We weren’t expecting Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and the sneaky Foxface (Jacqueline Emerson) to become, um, acquainted so early in the Games … but we really did like watching the two jointly opt for the flight (as opposed to fight) strategy to survival after colliding into one another. It definitely set them apart from the viciousness underway back at the Cornucopia.
Cato and Glimmer Sittin’ Under a Tree
It was a pretty gossip-worthy shocker that Glimmer (Leven Rambin) and Cato (Alexander Ludwig) – who were equally good-looking and arrogant, come to think of it – became a cross-district item during “The Hunger Games.” In the books, it seemed like Cato might’ve had a shine for his own district’s Clove (Isabelle Fuhrman), but we can’t lie, we kinda dug the movie matching.
Snow’s Perspective on the Games
We knew we’d get to see a little more of President Snow (Donald Sutherland) in the film than we’d read about, but what we did not foresee was how thoroughly his position on the Games would be represented. We loved seeing him in his rose garden dishing out knowledge on how to keep the masses in check. It was a great set up for the bigger picture (and, of course, the sequel ”Catching Fire”).
Revolution Hits District 11
Director Gary Ross did tease that there’d be a peek at the discontent in District 11 in the movie, but we had no idea it’d be so intense! It was almost like an early glimpse at the ruckus of “Mockingjay.” And who didn’t fist pump when those Capitol grain supplies went down? Well played, Steven Soderbergh.
Caesar Flickerman Running the Show
Having Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) serve as a bizarre pacemaker for the movie was darn effective. For one, those moments where he popped in Capitol TV-style were madly entertaining reminders that this was a show, and they also helped to move the action forward. Everyone knew Tucci would bring pure gold to the role, but we didn’t expect him to have so much good screen time to work with.
Haymitch’s Star-Crossed Lovers Play
It was well-anticipated that Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) would use the “star-crossed lovers from District 12″ bit in his sponsorship efforts, but the movie added a twist by having him put the dual victors concept into motion. Not only was it nice to see how that game change came about, but it was also great to watch Haymitch work it for both of his mentees.
Cato’s Descent into Madness
In the muttation-driven battle between Cato, Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), we loved it when Peeta put his throwing strength to good use and chucked that career tribute right over his shoulders to protect his lady. But what was even better was Cato’s final monologue. While he started out tough and eager to bring “honor” to his district, by the end, of it he’d become just crazy enough to realize how senseless the Games were. Those lines added some really interesting complexity to the scene.
Seneca and the Berries
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all was the moment Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley), having just allowed two out-lying district tributes to out-maneuver him, was locked in a room to find a bowl of nightlock berries awaiting. Throughout the movie, he was clearly under warning not to disappoint, and we readers of the books knew things wouldn’t pan out so well for him. Still, this scene served as a testament to both the gravity of his mistake and Snow’s wicked cleverness.
What was your favorite change made in The Hunger Games movie?
What about your least favorite?
source: NextMovie
I loved all the extra things they added in the movie, especially Cato’s speech at the end and Cato/Glimmer. Also the nightlock scene with Seneca was a brilliant touch since we don’t really know how he dies in the Catching Fire and this just makes Snow look even more evil.
However I wish they had kept the ending of Peeta realizing “it was all for the games”. I feel like non-book readers do not get the feeling that their relationship has changed when they get back to District 12 and how betrayed Peeta feels.
Every part the added was perfect for the movie. Cato’s speech was a realization to the audience that how horrible President Snow and the Capitol people really are.
In the book my favourite part was BY A MILE the feast !!!! IN THE MOVIE IT WAS STILL THE FEAST !! CLOVE DIES AND THRESH LETS KATNISS GO!!! BUT MAINLY KATNISS VS CLOVE CATFIGHT !!
I loved all of the parts they added! Especially Catos speech and Senecas nightlock scene. Gary Ross did an amazing job, it couldn’t have been any better!
I am thrilled with the added scenes, and the movie as a whole.
The only thing that might make me happier would be an extended version that adds deleted scenes/lines into the appropriate spots.
(If anyone from Lionsgate is monitoring this: I would be willing to shell out decent money for this.)
My favorite added part was what Cato(Alexander) said when he’s choking Peeta(Josh). Idk what it was about it but it was my favorite part. I loved the movie but I think that they kind of ran through it, there were no time lapses, it felt like they were in the arena for like 3 days instead of 3 weeks. But I still loved it! And I need to see it again.
we love every thing they added especially some of the extra peeta and katniss scenes that were not in the book and the district 11 revolt the only things we wish were in there was the ending where peeta finds out katniss is lying to him,and also when they’re in the hovercraft and katniss is trying to get to peeta after the games,also rue and katniss’s friendship more developed and more katniss/peeta and the description of the 3 fingered salute for those who have not read the books(we read the book) but anyway we still love the movie!!!!!
I love the gamemakers’ arena too, the things Seneca and his men did to make the Hunger Games work.
The least favorite change for me would still be the origin of the mockingjay pin.