The Hunger Games

[Delsan]

Wow. I'm actually finding the song kinda catchy. You'd never see me hit the replay button on a Taylor Swift song.

[Taochan]

diddly. Now I can't say I don't like T-Swift anymore.

[quiteMAD]

I've never taken the time to look into this before, but after seeing that trailer...can someone tell me how this isn't a ripoff of Battle Royal? And if it's somehow better? Not trying to be a skeptic here because I can see there's alot of you who like it, but it's the exact same premise mannnn, just set in a different world.

[Taochan]

I've never taken the time to look into this before, but after seeing that trailer...can someone tell me how this isn't a ripoff of Battle Royal? And if it's somehow better? Not trying to be a skeptic here because I can see there's alot of you who like it, but it's the exact same premise mannnn, just set in a different world.

Oh yeah, in a sense it really did rip off Battle Royale. But there are so many series now that are ripping off other things; it's actually a rare occurance to find anything completely original. So don't dismiss the series predicated on the fact that it did borrow Battle Royale's concept (though apparently Suzanne Collins says she didn't, lol).


I found the characters incredibly interesting and I enjoyed watching their emotional/mental journey as they attempted to kill to survive and how they lived with themselves afterwards. I mean, I personally found the characters in The Hunger Games to be much more relate-able and sympathetic than the characters in Battle Royale, but perhaps that's due to Suzanne Collins having three novels to flesh them out.

I found Panem to be a much more interesting dystopia than the totalitarian Japan, as well. The dynamics of the corrupt government are touched upon throughout the entire series and are thoroughly touched upon imo. I felt like The Hunger Games took all the interesting concepts of Battle Royale and elaborated on them; I feel like it pushed them all to the next level.

I mean, you really have to decide for yourself if you even want to bother. But I was a blubbering mess while reading the entire third novel in the series, and with Battle Royale, the emotional connection wasn't really there. It was more of a "oh that's awful, I feel bad for them" than an all out cry-fest. So I find The Hunger Games to be better. But it still does rip off the concept of throwing a bunch of kids into a ring to kill each other until there's one victor, from Battle Royale. That doesn't mean it's not worth reading or watching though.

[quiteMAD]

I haven't read the original novel Battle Royale, but I know I was an emotional wreck by the end of the manga version, largely due to that same reason of it being stretched out between several books, and because of the overall tragic/noble ending it had. And yeah, it's pretty much impossible that Collins has never heard of BR. From a few reviews I read, the first Hunger Games book is nearly identical, even in certain actions characters take.

I don't mind homage at all, even the idea of humans killing each other for the entertainment of a crowd is as old as history itself, and is what kept the Roman empire afloat. But it rubs me the wrong way when you blatantly take an idea from someone, and then claim to have never heard of them. And I read a little while ago that the planned American Battle Royale adaptation is now canceled due to the similarities to this. Which really rubs me the wrong way since it came several years before HG. That's like canceling an adaptation of Treasure Island because you're afraid people will compare it to Pirates of the Caribbean.

[aqualight]

i finished reading mockingjay a week or two ago. i may or may not have been full on cried while reading the last few chapters. i am very excited about watching the movie, i just truly hope it doesn't turn about really horrible like a lot of book based movies do these days.

[Taochan]

I haven't read the original novel Battle Royale, but I know I was an emotional wreck by the end of the manga version, largely due to that same reason of it being stretched out between several books, and because of the overall tragic/noble ending it had. And yeah, it's pretty much impossible that Collins has never heard of BR. From a few reviews I read, the first Hunger Games book is nearly identical, even in certain actions characters take.

I've heard overall that the manga did a better job than the movie and the novel did. As you said, it's probably because of it being stretched out and them having a lot more room to add thorough character development/individual personalities. I wouldn't doubt it, lol. It has a lot of similarities that are undeniable, but it's still a good read.

I don't mind homage at all, even the idea of humans killing each other for the entertainment of a crowd is as old as history itself, and is what kept the Roman empire afloat. But it rubs me the wrong way when you blatantly take an idea from someone, and then claim to have never heard of them. And I read a little while ago that the planned American Battle Royale adaptation is now canceled due to the similarities to this. Which really rubs me the wrong way since it came several years before HG. That's like canceling an adaptation of Treasure Island because you're afraid people will compare it to Pirates of the Caribbean.

Definitely. It is a tad ridiculous that she "never saw Battle Royale before she wrote the novels". I mean, it's possible. She says the idea came to her from her war veteran father I believe, and she was flipping through reality TV shows like Survivor when the idea occurred to her. (I believe that's what she said, I could be paraphrasing due to having read that a while back.) I mean, it isn't impossible... just highly implausible.

It may not be such a bad thing that an American adaption was cancelled though. Need I direct your attention to such films as 'The Grudge'? lol. We just can't portray the Japanese style over here, and that's been made very apparent by every great Japanese film that we've attempted to Americanize and it has come out a piece of crap.

i finished reading mockingjay a week or two ago. i may or may not have been full on cried while reading the last few chapters. i am very excited about watching the movie, i just truly hope it doesn't turn about really horrible like a lot of book based movies do these days.

The author of the series, Suzanne Collins, has been working on the film scripts. I hope that helps to ease some of your fears/apprehensions.

[quiteMAD]

It may not be such a bad thing that an American adaption was cancelled though. Need I direct your attention to such films as 'The Grudge'? lol. We just can't portray the Japanese style over here, and that's been made very apparent by every great Japanese film that we've attempted to Americanize and it has come out a piece of crap.

It would still be deserved exposure. And the worst they could do is white wash the characters, which is for once not really that bad. Both Hunger Games and Battle Royale are stories where the characters can be pretty much anybody, and as long as the actions they take stay believable and human...it'll be good. The core of a story like this, where survival is the theme, is "what would I do in that sittuation?".

The author of the series, Suzanne Collins, has been working on the film scripts. I hope that helps to ease some of your fears/apprehensions.

That's really cool. If she can write a film as well as a novel, she'll have gained my respect. Only other authors I've seen successfully jump between the two mediums is Neil Gaiman and Frank Miller. Both of which had an amazing repertoire of works to show they could pull it off before hand.

[Vani]

I don't really know what Battle Royale is, but the Hunger Games series isn't strictly about the Hunger Games themselves. Theres a lot more to it then just "Gotta kill. Gotta survive."

And I love the Taylor Swift song, too. Can;t stop pressing repeat.

[A]

I don't really know what Battle Royale is,

a battle royale is an all man for himself kinda fight

[Taochan]

It would still be deserved exposure. And the worst they could do is white wash the characters, which is for once not really that bad. Both Hunger Games and Battle Royale are stories where the characters can be pretty much anybody, and as long as the actions they take stay believable and human...it'll be good. The core of a story like this, where survival is the theme, is "what would I do in that sittuation?".

I mean, they could still decide to eventually do an American Battle Royale. They have a very similar concept but they're still different. At least we still have the Japanese film though.
I agree, it really depends on if you can put yourself in their position. I mean, Battle Royale is a bit more intense and twisted than The Hunger Games (at least the first book o_o). I kinda relate to The Hunger Games more.

That's really cool. If she can write a film as well as a novel, she'll have gained my respect. Only other authors I've seen successfully jump between the two mediums is Neil Gaiman and Frank Miller. Both of which had an amazing repertoire of works to show they could pull it off before hand.

Well, I believe it's Suzanne Collins and another person collaborating to write the movie script. So Suzanne can point out the things that need to stay in the story, and the other person can tell her what won't translate to the big screen. -nods-
From what we've seen in the trailer, there's a lot of promise so far. We can already tell things that have been removed from the plot too, lol.

Authors being a part of the film process is such a rare occurance in general, but I think it's a good idea. Obviously they shouldn't write the scripts all by themselves, but it's good to get their opinions I think.

I don't really know what Battle Royale is, but the Hunger Games series isn't strictly about the Hunger Games themselves. Theres a lot more to it then just "Gotta kill. Gotta survive."

There's more to Battle Royale than that as well.

And I love the Taylor Swift song, too. Can;t stop pressing repeat.

I'm pretty sure The Civil Wars wrote the lyrics, because T-Swift is usually all about "she wears short skirts, I wear t-shirts" kinda stuff. xD I'm so not used to T-Swift singing anything... good

[Delsan]

I mean, they could still decide to eventually do an American Battle Royale. They have a very similar concept but they're still different. At least we still have the Japanese film though.

Couldn't you just say the Hunger Games is the American version of Battle Royale? I mean they both have the same premise from what I've gathered, but different plots.

I agree, it really depends on if you can put yourself in their position. I mean, Battle Royale is a bit more intense and twisted than The Hunger Games (at least the first book o_o). I kinda relate to The Hunger Games more.

Can someone point out other similarities besides "kids fight to the death". That's all I'm hearing between the two even when there's a bunch of other movies/novels with the same concept.

[Taochan]

Couldn't you just say the Hunger Games is the American version of Battle Royale? I mean they both have the same premise from what I've gathered, but different plots.

But....... The Hunger Games isn't an American Battle Royale. To say that is kind of an insult to both.

Can someone point out other similarities besides "kids fight to the death". That's all I'm hearing between the two even when there's a bunch of other movies/novels with the same concept.

Hunger Games:
-children from each district are selected and put into the annual games, as a way to punish the citizens of Panem for their rebellion against the Capitol
-children are trained to kill each other
-children grab survival packs/weapons from the cornucopia
-children are trapped within that force-field thing so they have to kill each other
-children
-dystopian country
-completely corrupt government

Battle Royale:
-children are selected and put into a government experiment annually to terrorize the public to ensure they'll never rebel against their leaders
-children are trained to kill each other
-students are issued survival packs with a random weapon
-children have an explosive collar on that will detonate if they try to leave/tamper with it/etc
-children
-totalitarian state
-completely corrupt government

And a whole heck of a lot more that is kind of spoilery to mention.

It really is like a several other movies. While typing this out I remembered that it reminds me a lot of The Condemned, which is a movie about 12 (I think 12?) convicts that are put on an island with explosive leg bracelets attached to their ankle. They're all death row inmates and the last one standing gets to walk a free man/woman. The bracelets will explode if you attempt to tamper with them or if you try to leave the surrounding area. Weapons are placed throughout the arena and there are live cameras watching the whole event and streaming it online.


Having said this... just because the concept is thrown around a lot doesn't de-valuate some of the material. The Hunger Games is a great series, just like Battle Royale was a great novel.

[Delsan]

That's a lot of similarities O_O

But whatever. I like The Hunger Games and its likeness to Battle Royale won't change it.

But....... The Hunger Games isn't an American Battle Royale. To say that is kind of an insult to both.

*shrugs*

My opinion is one sided anyway. I never even heard of Battle Royale until people started comparing it to THG on the trailer on youtube.

[Vani]

I like The Hunger Games and its likeness to Battle Royale won't change it.

My thoughts exactly.

Oh, and I'm starting to worry about the direction the movie is going. Celebuzz has their own "Hunger Games Section" which would normally be good if it wasn't for the fact Twilight was the only other movie series with a section. And I'm constantly hearing talk now of "Team Peeta" and "Team Gale;" I really hope this doesn't turn into the new Twilight.