‘Books and movies are like apples and oranges. They both are fruit but taste completely different.’ – Stephen King
The Hunger Games is a perfect example of that. Although, there are many similarities since they tell the same story, the differences are astounding to observant people. Many people have their opinions of whether they prefer movies or books especially with a certain series. Some viewers want to be in first person, so they can relate to the main character. While others may not want to be biased and just note everything from their own perspective.
There are an abundance of differences between the novel and motion picture. For example, The Hunger Games book is in Katniss Everdeen’s point of view, while the adaptation is in third person. Readers can feel what Katniss visions and does, while movie goers notice things that are behind Katniss’s back when she is not present. Also, in the story during the Reaping, Katniss sees Haymitch fall of the stage heavily intoxicated. In the movie we barely notice until we meet him and hear her remarks of how he’s an irresponsible mentor.
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In the book version, Katniss receives a pin after the Reaping from her friend Madge who’s the daughter of the Mayor. The Mockingjay is a cross between a biogenetic bird created by the government to spy on people. We learn the symbolism behind the Mockingjay pin and how it foreshadows her similarities to it by disregarding the Capitol. In the film Katniss purchases the pin at the Hob and tries to give it to her sister but she gives it back. There was no explanation to its relationship to the Capitol but a heartfelt moment with her sibling.
In the volume, Peeta’s father visits Katniss and gifts her cookies that he made before leaving. We take note that she throws the cookies away since she has trust issues. While, the movie only Prim her sister, Gale and mom see her. Peeta’s dad is never mentioned. In the book, Haymitch has more character development since he starts taking their training seriously, In the film, the change isn’t evident.
In the Movie Peeta grabs Katniss’s hand on the carriage at the ceremony while Cinna suggests it in the book, so they can appear as a good team. In the book, Katniss’s best friend Gale, is only seen before the games commence. He does not reappear in the story even though Katniss does think about him. As mentioned the movie is in third person narrative, we see that Gale appears jealous by the on-screen relationship developing between Katniss and Peeta and that he misses their friendship.
In the book, Katniss is gifted bread from District 11 because of her loyalty and care for Rue who’s a fellow tribute that died. She formed a soft spot for Rue since she is her sisters age. In the movie, Rues death forms a revolt against their districts Capitol officers. In the paperback Peeta loses his leg after an injury, in the big screen he is definitely injured but doesn’t have a missing leg.
In the story, Katniss recognizes that the beasts that attacked them are mutants with a part of all the tributes that were deceased. In the movie, the beasts were some type of huge aggressive mutant canines. In the book, Thresh from district 11 is killed by Cato, while in the movie he is ended by the mutant dogs. In the book, Cato fights the vicious beasts and is severely wounded, Katniss then kills him fully to seize his misery. In the film, of course Cato suffers shortly before Katniss ends his life. The book shows Katniss struggling for a whole day before finding water and in the movie, she discovers a pond her water source after running from Cornucopia.
In both forms of entertainment, a fire is initiated so all the tributes can get back together and participate more in the game. Katniss runs with forest animals away from the flames but the movie doesn’t include these creatures. Personally, if they added the animals it would’ve provided a more realistic approach of the forest setting. A mild difference but nice to include for nitpicking realists. The movie shockingly developed more of a backstory about the game and Game Maker.
The film version shows many scenes where the control room is that influences the Hunger Games effects. The book lacks that even though Katniss has a clue what the audience and game makers are thinking in constant scenarios. The Gamemaker was going to be punished since the games were falling apart. Viewers were left with a cliffhanger of the Game creator being trapped in a room with a plate of the deadly blackberries Katniss and Peeta were going to eat to poison themselves and end their lives while the book doesn’t include this.
In conclusion, the book has more action and detail while the movie has more emotions. The books deaths were more repulsive and gory compared to the film. Obviously, films have a time span while books can include many more chapters. The story and motion picture both don’t have to be visualized, if one or the other is seen the general idea and plot is the same without question. But both will be satisfying regardless if there’s spare time and interest. The book was an apple while the movie was an orange, both similar fruits with different variations.
