1. The first shot introduces us to District 12 . It’s more rustic than I had originally imagined. Personally, when I think futuristic post-apocalyptic setting, I think of more concrete, dead vehicles scattered, maybe some unusual technology. If this was a post war North America, though, in a mining colony, this is probably a lot closer to what it would look like. I think the big thing to remember is that the Capitol wants to keep everyone under control. The only technology the districts have is what the Capitol will allow. They probably cleared the area of any modern remnants other than what they control.
2. The fence. Of everything in the trailer, for some reason, the fence bothered me the most. I always imagined it as being much taller, much more industrial and opposing. This looks like a simple cattle fence. I suppose that’s all they would need to get the job done, but it still didn’t fit with how I had thought it should look – what about you? And if that’s the worst thing about the trailer, I think we’re in pretty good shape!
3. Gale and Katniss . I know it’s already been said, but their conversation seems to come so naturally. Just like they are the old friends they should be. Liam Hemsworth was the one casting choice that I was somewhat unsure of at first. I still don’t think he quite looks like the person I imagined, but so far he seems like a great Gale, and that’s the most important thing. The chemistry is there, but doesn’t seem to be overdone, which I am thankful for. A lot of things in the trailer don’t look overdone, which really helps make everything come together in a much more real way.
4. Katniss hunting. Just a quick shot (no pun intended), but Jennifer Lawrence seems comfortable with a bow, even if the previous screen-cap showed her holding it a bit oddly. I’m going to keep with my theory that she was in the midst of pointing out her target, which is why her hands were off. If there is one thing that Katniss needs to do, it’s shoot a bow with confidence.
5. The hovercraft. This is possibly when they see Lavinia running from the Capitol, later to become an Avox. Though this doesn’t actually happen in the first book, timeline wise it could fit into the first movie. It might also be something along the lines of extra peacekeepers coming in for the Reaping, or something generic like that. It’s really hard to get a very good glimpse of the hovercraft here, but worth noting is how loud it is. Unless I am misremembering, aren’t the hovercraft described as being completely silent? Someone help me out here?
6. The Reaping. We already had a glimpse of all the potential tributes in their best clothes. It’s nice too see it all as one scene now. I know a lot of people wanted to see the Reaping in the trailer and I think they made a good choice by putting it in. It is especially important for those who don’t know the story ahead of time. I really like that already we are seeing the large television screens. Television, broadcast, and propaganda, are all so important to the story, I expect to see things like this everywhere. We also get a nice shot of the Capitol’s seal hanging on a red banner.
7. Effie. Maybe not as pink-haired as expected, but still amazingly creepy, out of place, and Capitol-esque. Her accent, too, is spot on to what I heard in my head. Sort of British, but not quite. She wasn’t quite as “flouncy” as I had imagined, but the Reaping is a very formal occasion, so there is plenty of time for that later on.
