Film Comparison

The scene where Katniss is displaying her special talent of archery for the Gamekeeper and company was kept in tact from the book and done very well in the movie.

Of course her first shot was off and missed the desired target, and although she didn't have their full attention from the moment she walked in, she really didn't have their attention now. She shoots a second time, straight into the heart of the target. She looks up and sees that not a single person was paying attention, nor do they seem to care that she is still standing there.

Katniss is infuriated, and in a splendid display of her talent, she shoots an apple out of the mouth of a roasted pig, piercing it to the wall and most definitely getting the attention of everyone in the room.

I think it was very important to keep this scene in the movie. It showcases a couple of things: her archery skills and her refusal to be ignored as a serious contender just because she's a woman. And, not just any woman, but one from the lowliest district.

She is a woman to be reckoned with. She isn't thrilled to be there, quite frankly she has better things to be doing. But as fate would have it, she is there and she will not be ignored. She's bringing much to the table; sacrifice, talent, intelligence, skills no other has. She's there to put her life on the line and she is furious that she isn't being taken seriously. She is fighting for her life just the same as the men and the same considerations would be nice. I don't think they took her seriously because she was a woman, and when she missed that first shot I think they felt justified in laughing off this 'little girl' playing with big boy toys. That is until the apple hit the wall.

The major difference I found was the scene in which District 11 rebels after Rue dies.

In the book when Rue is killed, or really when any tribute is killed, we don't get any indication of how the home District reacts. We see a bit of gratitude toward Katniss from District 11 with the delivery of food because Katniss was in alliance with Rue and tended to her so gently while she died. What we never read is their reaction to the death. Are they angry? Do they mourn? Did this life mean anything?

I'm glad the film makers chose to include this scene. I'm not a violent person, but I know if my child was in that situation there would be a need for clean up in 'Aisle Meltdown'. I believe this scene was needed to bring home that these people, no matter what their circumstances may be, they are families and they are not treated decently by their government.

These kids and young adults are sent off to fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capitol. They can say the Games served as a warning against rebellion all they want; this was simply a form of keeping people under the thumb of a corrupt government. And the citizens of the Districts were treated as if they were as disposable and important as a disposable cup.

As I watched the movie I was reminded of the Aboriginal people of Australia and the time in recent history when their children were taken from them and sent away to government schools without the parents consent. The government actually believed it was no different to take these children from their parents as it was to take a pup from its mother. The Capitol gave me the impression that they had no clue, nor cared, that the families would have a reaction such as anger or pain to their child being taken or killed.

People are people. Geography, language, race, and religious beliefs vary. Respect, concern, and compassion shouldn't.