Adapting popular book series for the big (or small) screen isn't always met with positive feedback, but most fans of The Hunger Games will agree it's one of the better movie adaptations out there. But of course, viewers don't always agree on the choices made while bringing Katniss's story from the page to the silver screen. In fact, sometimes they don't even agree about the storytelling choices made in the books that transferred over to the films.
And as with any film series, there are plenty of Hunger Games fans who have unpopular opinions about the films. Here are some of the most noteworthy from Reddit.
The First Movie Was The Best
Catching Fire and Mockingjay tend to get all the praise when it comes to The Hunger Games movies, but one Reddit user suggests that the first film is actually the best of the trilogy. And to be fair, the first movie has a lot of great setups and is incredibly true to Suzanne Collins' novel; in short, there's plenty to love about it.
It's also understandable that some fans would enjoy the first movie more, particularly if the arena aspect of the story is what drew them to it in the first place. While Catching Fire has no shortage of arena-based challenges, it begins shifting the story to the revolution. Then Mockingjay completely shifts course to focus on toppling the Capitol.
Finnick Is An Overrated Character
Finnick Odair makes his Hunger Games debut in Catching Fire, and many fans fall for his character from the get-go. He's charming, entertaining, and winds up being one of the revolutionaries -- all points in his favor.
Still, Finnick receives a lot of hype for a character who isn't quite as relevant to the overall plot as some less-appreciated personalities surrounding Katniss. That's probably why one Reddit user argued that he's a bit overrated. (As another responded, however, the fandom loves him anyway!)
Gale Doesn't Deserve So Much Hate
By the time the credits roll on Mockingjay - Part 2, it's all too easy for viewers to hate on Gale. As Katniss and Peeta undergo growth onscreen, most of Gale's development -- and his push toward more extremist beliefs and actions against the Capitol -- takes place off screen. That makes it difficult to relate to him already, and his part in Prim's death doesn't help his case.
Of course, that doesn't mean some of Gale's beliefs and actions aren't understandable. As one Reddit user points out, "many of us would probably do the same things under those circumstances." It doesn't necessarily make Gale right, but it's a fair point. He did see many of the people he grew up with tormented and killed by the Capitol.
Prim's Death Was Pointless
Prim's death is one of the more heartbreaking moments from The Hunger Games trilogy, particularly after how hard Katniss works to protect her younger sister. And the choice to kill her off has been a divisive one, with some fans arguing that Prim's death served no purpose, and therefore, was indicative of poor writing. A Reddit user listing unpopular opinions backed this sentiment, arguing that her death was "rushed and useless to the plot."
Given the nature of war, one could argue that the pointlessness of Prim's death is the entire point. However, that approach to the story clearly doesn't work for everyone.
Katniss Probably Should Have Died
Nobody in the Hunger Games deserved a happy ending more than Katniss, but that doesn't mean her surviving all four films was believable. According to one Reddit user, the series' protagonist probably would have died at some point during the 74th Hunger Games -- especially given how much the odds were stacked against her.
Fortunately, The Hunger Games is all about overcoming the odds, and Katniss goes on to make major changes to the way her world functions. Still, there's no denying a bit of realism may have changed her story for the worse. Good thing it's fictional!
The Careers Weren't So Bad
The Careers are notorious for being bloodthirsty and vicious opponents in the Hunger Games, and the first two films drive that point home with characters like Cato and Enobaria. However, one Reddit user makes the point that the Careers don't deserve the level of disgust they get. After all, they're just kids who have been brainwashed and desensitized by the society they live in -- and their sacrifice certainly saves their younger peers a lot of trauma.
This argument may not be enough for fans to root for the Careers, but perhaps they can at least empathize with them a little more.
The Berries Trick Shouldn't Have Worked
The only reason Katniss and Peeta survive the 74th Hunger Games is because they threaten to eat poisonous berries, leaving the Capitol with no real victor. Instead, both are allowed to live, something President Snow spends multiple films attempting to rectify -- but one Reddit user doesn't understand why the Gamemakers didn't simply kill them both on the spot.
Such an act would be in line with the Capitol's brutal nature, and the Gamemakers definitely do have the technology to determine who died last (and then declare them the winner posthumously).
Katniss Shouldn't Have Killed Coin
One of the biggest twists of Mockingjay - Part 2 is when Katniss assassinates President Coin rather than delivering justice to President Snow. It's meant to make a statement about power and tyranny, but it's a development that some fans could have done without.
One Reddit user believes Suzanne Collins ruined the ending of her trilogy by having both sides be equally cruel. Another user agreed with that sentiment, calling Coin's "child-killing plot" out of left field and "sloppy."
Katniss Should Have Ended Up Alone
The Hunger Games debate surrounding whether Katniss should have ended up with Gale or Peeta has gone on for years, but one Reddit user posits that the series' main character shouldn't have wound up with either of them in the end. They argue that she's not the type of person who'd want to be in a relationship, and the fact that she has children after explicitly stating she doesn't want to makes it even more cringe-worthy.
To be fair, it's possible Katniss changed her mind about kids and relationships after the Capitol -- and the Hunger Games -- was removed from the picture. Still, the point that Katniss could easily have ended the series independently stands. (It would certainly make for fewer arguments about which fans are on which team.)
The Series Could Have Used More World Building
The Hunger Games has a lot going on politically, so the books and films don't always have time to focus on specific Districts or to delve too deeply into the world-building. That's something one Reddit user would have liked to see, however. And with the circumstances of Panem being so relevant to the revolution, it would have made sense to give some more insight into the other Districts, as well as lives outside of the main characters'.
Collins' prequel novel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, attempts to offer further background about the Hunger Games and Panem. Unfortunately, it still doesn't answer some of the fans' questions about the world as it is during Katniss's lifetime.