The Hunger Games: Book vs. Movie

The Hunger Games, the introductory novel in a trilogy book series written by author Suzanne Collins in 2008, is a young adult novel that surrounds a teenage girl named Katniss Everdeen in a futuristic tale of a teenager who defies all odds when they are stacked against her. She is shaken to the core with sacrifice, adversity and danger when she finds herself forced to compete in a televised series of games where there is only one survivor. Not only does she want to live, but she has an incredible sense of responsibility to her family that she’s left behind. The film based off of the best selling novel, also entitled, “The Hunger Games,” premiered in March 2012. Director Gary Ross does a great job of incorporating the plot, setting and characterization, but because of the immense detail the book was written with, there are several differences and twists that creates a different set of emotions to someone reading the book, as opposed to someone watching the film.
In the novel, there were many key relationships that were built and thoroughly explained. For the sake of timing, some of these connections were lost during the film. Cinna, Katniss’ stylist during the Hunger Games, develops a strong relationship with Katniss that is unlike any other. Right away, Katniss notices that Cinna doesn’t wear excessive makeup, or wigs like the other people in the Capitol. The Capitol is a trendy and over the top area where the privileged, and those in power live and work. They dress in outlandish costumes and typically seem to be very superficial. It’s understood that in both the novel and the film that this is completely opposite of the values that Katniss has.
Cinna is described as a pretty ‘normal’ guy. He is able to provide comfort during his limited time with Katniss. She can talk to him about anything, and in the novel the reader sees how important his role is. However, in the movie, Cinna has a less significant part, while providing a sense of reassurance that everything