I think they did a pretty good job of sticking to the story line. Of course, they have to leave some things out or it would be a very long movie. It is already 2:20 long, but boy the time went by very fast. The only thing different that really stood out for me was that Hamish was painted in a much more flattering light in the movie after the initial bad meeting with Katniss and Peta.

I have not read the books . I really never heard of the Hunger Games until recently. I have no teenage kids to keep me up. I was thinking of going to the movie though. Should I read the book first? Is there killing of animals because I don't see movies with animals being killed.

Some killer dog-like creatures try to kill the kids, and some genetically engineered wasp-type creatures do kill some kids, but no animals killed that I recall.

I think Katniss and her guy friend (who I can't remember's name) hunt in the books. That's how they survive. Don't know if they show it in the movie?

We're now going to Frankfort, Alex has a project to do after classes so it's just me and the girls.

Call me silly, but if they don't show it, I will see it. Let me know if it's as good as the reviews say. I was waiting till the crowds subsided. I just didn't think a film which interested my 14 year old GS would be something I'd like.

There is a scene where Katniss and Rue are eating something that they have killed. But they don't show anyone killing it, you only see it roasting over a fire. Kind of looks like a squirrel, but the meat they are eating sure looks like a chicken drum and thigh, LOL. And in the beginning of the movie when Katniss is hunting, you don't see her kill anything. She is hoping to bring down a deer, but her friend makes a noise and frightens the deer, who runs away.

We all loved the movie, including Sola, our exchange student who hasn't read the books. We went to the 4:00 showing, so hardly anyone there.

did you agree with the 13 and older rating? thinking it might be a bit graphic for younger?

I have a friend who is a teacher. She heard about the books from her "kids" her students. She read all 3 books-said the first was the best. The movie got 5 stars in the New York Daily News. She went to see it, said there were about 30 young teen girls in line in front of her, she thought it couldn't be that good, but went in and she said the movie followed the books plot line, was very good, she liked that the lead was an "unknown" female actress. SPOILERS AHEAD. She liked the fact the girl saved the boy character but said the plot didn't make it clear that the "prize" they were fighting for was food for their entire district. She told me, don't read the book first, see the movie then read the books.

Thanks for the reviews. I think I'll see it this week.