Due to time constraints, the Hunger Games film franchise did not do justice to the Katniss Everdeen presented in the literary saga.
The movies of Hunger Games were an amazing adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ book series, but they didn’t do justice to the character of Katniss Everdeen for several reasons. It’s nearly impossible to include all the nuances of a character or a novel’s plot in a film since time constraints simply don’t allow for it. Writers and directors must choose what to include and find creative ways to communicate the concepts described in the internal monologues of a book’s characters. As a result, even though the film character of Katniss Everdeen was adapted trying to keep it as faithful to the original as possible, something was missing.
In the film trilogy Hunger GamesKatniss, one of Jennifer Lawrence’s most iconic roles, is true to her book counterpart in that her main focus is on keeping her family alive. It is clear that she is very protective of her little sister Prim and her dispute with her mother is also evident (although it is not explained as in the book). However, without Katniss’s internal monologue to indicate to the audience what she thinks and feels, her character loses the qualities that make her unique from other heroines of young adult creations. This shows in her approach to survival and her relationships, which were much more complex in her novels.
Here are 5 ways movies by Hunger Games they changed the character of Katniss Everdeen
1. Movies by Hunger Games they made Katniss much more likable
Ever since Katniss was very young, her only motivation was survival, which is true in both the books and films by Hunger Games. However, near the beginning of the first book, readers see, through Katniss’s internal monologue, how much this has hardened her heart. The first reference to this thing was in chapter 1 of Hunger Games, when Katniss described how she tried to drown a kitten (later to become Buttercup) with her own hands. She was not without compassion, but survival came first. This is seen throughout the book series, particularly in regards to the way she treated people.
Katniss is known in the books of Hunger Games for being intractable and hard to love. Those who knew her well, like Peeta and Prim, recognized that this was just a defense mechanism that allowed Katniss to focus on survival. However, the movies have failed to bring this aspect entirely to the screen as, without an insight into Katniss’ true identity, she might have seemed unlikable to audiences. This means that Katniss’s film counterpart of hers was much kinder, or even sweet, in a way that made her occasional rudeness seem inconsistent.
Read also The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: review
2. Movies have changed the relationship between Katniss and Haymitch
Just like Katniss’s film counterpart, who has been altered from the literary original, so has her mentor, Haymitch Abernathy. The changes made in both characters meant that their on-screen relationship was much friendlier than it was in the books. Hugs, affection and kind words to each other would have been almost unthinkable for both book characters. In fact, whenever Haymitch was too nice to Katniss in the books – or vice versa – the girl always knew something was wrong. However, that didn’t mean they didn’t have a good relationship.
People like Prim and Peeta might as well recognize Katniss’ goodness and integrity, but in the books of Hunger Games, Haymitch was the only one who understood his darkness. Katniss often said they were similar. They would have fought, insulted each other, and avoided each other’s company if they could, but when it came to making tough decisions, Katniss knew Haymitch got her. Whereas the movies of Hunger Games they didn’t show this complicated dynamic, their relationship was just simpler and less deep.
3. Movies by Hunger Games they treated Katniss and Peeta’s relationship lightly
The Hunger Games movies inspired debates between who was ‘Team Gale’ and who was ‘Team Peeta’, with many fans disappointed that Katniss ended up with Peeta. Based on the movies alone, it was more difficult to get over Katniss and Peeta’s relationship. The rise and fall of their arc feels slightly disjointed which made their ending less satisfying. However, the story established in the books has been much better explored. In fact, it started before the two were even born, as the books reveal that Peeta’s father was once in love with Katniss’ mother.
Peeta knew Katniss as the daughter of the woman his father had loved and this caused him to look at her differently when they started school. He fell in love with her singing and was eager to help her when her father was killed. After readers figure this out, it becomes clear that Peeta’s only focus is on the Hunger Games is to keep Katniss safe. Throughout the book series, she has gained Katniss’ trust and parallels emerge between him and his father. Katniss has come to truly love Peeta because, as her father, Peeta appreciated her beauty in an ugly world.
This is why Katniss chose Peeta over Gale in the books. Gale and Katniss struggled to survive together, and there was never a time for beauty. It was all fire and rage. However, when the rebellion ended in The song of the revolt, and Katniss started singing her father’s songs and healing her heart, she realized she needed the influence of someone like Peeta, who could always see the beauty in the world. Without the details of her bond with Peeta and all the complex character pieces from Katniss’ book, the films of Hunger Games they are far from being like books.
Read also The Hunger Games Mockingjay – Part 1: review
4. Movies cut Katniss’ memories with her father
All that movies of Hunger Games reveal about Katniss’ father is that he died in a mining accident, leaving Katniss alone to care for her family. However, in her books, it’s the only reason Katniss survived so long before her Hunger Games. It was he who had taught her how to make and shoot a bow. He’d created a book that detailed descriptions of edible plants (and which ones to avoid) and, soberly, had implanted in her the rebellious spirit that would prove impactful in the Hunger Games and ultimately lead to revolution.
Katniss’ father has never even been given a name, but his influence on Katniss has been among the most important in the book series. The steadily increasing frequency of Katniss’ memories of him since Hunger Games to The song of the revolt it also showed how much she was forced to try to forget him in order to survive in District 12 (aside from her hunting and foraging lessons). However, in the end, Katniss fully remembered how much her father had rejected the Panem Chapter, inspiring her to do the same.
5. Movies by Hunger Games they eliminated Katniss’ token singing talent
Another important thing Katniss’ father taught her was how to sing. She was said to have such a beautiful voice that the birds would stop and listen. In the books of Hunger Games, he passed this skill on to his daughter. She taught her the song”Deep in the Meadow” and the famous song “Hanging tree” featured in the movies. However, the symbolic purpose of these songs and the importance of Katniss’ decision to start singing them again were completely overlooked.
Katniss’ singing made Peeta fall in love with her when they were kids just starting school. Peeta had described a memory of her eagerly volunteering in a music class to sing, something that greatly contradicted her adolescent character of hers. That’s because, after her father’s death, Katniss determined that music had no value since she did nothing to help her survive. However, when Katniss sang for Rue as she died in hunger games, he began to understand that he had a purpose. After Katniss assassinated President Coin, she was confined to her room where she did nothing but sing and began healing her heart.
Also read The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 2: review