Interpretation on a novel varies from person to person, which is why converting a novel to a film has mixed reviews. For instance, take the novel The Hunger Games that was transformed into a movie, some individuals were not happy with the final product, while others thoroughly enjoyed each aspect. I, for one, thought that the producers created a fantastic visual for the book. Although every little piece wasn't put in, the timing of the movie would have been too long and would lose the viewer's focus. Few of the many contributors for excellence in this film were background music, setting and props, and the makeup and costumes.
Initially, I thought that one stand-out key to the movie were the different sound effects and background music. Scene to scene there are unique musical points that complete the display for the amount of intensity that is represented in the book. For example, when the contestants rose from their tubes, and the bloodbath began, there was an eerie pitch that carried out to a sort of violin playing in quick pulses which gave the viewer the sense of a rush that was explained through the novel. Another case of intense musical tones would be when Katniss is stung by tracker jacker wasps- which are deadly wasps that can cause severe hallucinations and occasionally death. In this scene, or section of the book, I think that the author wanted to make the reader uncomfortable and through the rattlesnake noise in the film, the producer was able to get viewers to cringe at that noise. Continuing on is another intensified scene where Katniss blows up the pyramid of supplies that the careers are keeping to themselves. The music in this scene plays an immeasurable part because it displays that she accomplished a lot by destroying those several items. Sounds like the ringing pitch that you hear at the top of your head and the muted voices she hears after the aggressive explosion give off that effect. Lastly there's the scene where Rue- who Katniss thinks of as her sister- dies, the music helps the tears fall in the audience. From the angelic tone to the soft guitar playing, the music helps this movie jerk tears, like the book does, and informs the viewer that she's in a better place now.
Although, without the setting and endless props, the background music has no effect. Throughout the movie, all of the scene setting was spot on according to the novel. District 12 was just as dirty, grimy, and impoverished as the novel described; the Capitol was filled with buildings touching the sky and thousands of snotty rich people with technologies more advanced than we have today. Few of the many noteworthy props and elements were the older looking individuals in District 12 and their ragged clothing. When aged people with not a lot of money are added to the scene, viewers have sympathy for them which brings up the poor status. Additionally, how the producers included the rugged wood on houses and no sorts of technology anywhere extended that increased poverty. Old wood indicates an elderly town and everyone not being able to modernize anything. The non-existent technology, as simple as a shower or telephone, also represents how poor they all are. On the contrary, the Capitol is exactly the opposite. With all buildings and decretive items being cleanly cut and shining, it's easy to tell that the Capitol is for the rich. In every area of the Capitol you can see modern technology. For instance, the game makers' control room is so advanced with the floating touch screen and the way the area is set up. The props that make the control room seem so technologically advanced are the glowing blue color and the clean circular shape it's formed in. Found in another futuristic movie, Avatar, blue was a color used in the holograms to display the envisioned future. Overall, the settings and props were truly advanced whether it be in poverty or wealth.
With the set carrying out its role exceptionally well, what our eyes really draw attention to are the characters in the movie. The makeup artists and costume designers really showed their best work in this film, especially when they decorated the Capitol actors. Inside the novel, these characters were described as insane and filthy rich. How they were dressed and designed really displays how they were so rich they didn't know what to do with their money other than spending it on clothing and obnoxious accessories. Costumes were unique to every single person, as well as the hair and makeup. Whether it be women's hats twice the size of Lincoln's, or dresses that weigh more than a bag of mulch on a steamy Sunday, the Capitol was complete with these costume designs. Furthermore, in District 12 the children wearing respectable clothing to the reaping really set the mood for not only the poverty in that district, but the high emotions as well. The teenage girl's dresses were button down and revealing nothing with cupped sleeves over the shoulder. These dresses were all appropriate because that was all they had and fashion at a reaping was not a priority. Outside of the reaping in District 12, there were miners, with torn and greasy clothing representing their hard work, and elders, with battered clothes and slouched backs exhibiting their long and worn life.
Makeup and costumes were apart of the many aspects that were able to phenomenally dress the movie according to the novel. Whether people are able to see it or not is in their behalf. Through the background music, settings, and makeup and costumes, The Hunger Games was a true beauty when transformed into a film. In the reader’s eyes, criticism may be around every corner. Although, if you look at the general emotions and symbolism through the novel, The Hunger Games film has a true connection with the novel it was based off of.
