[Yardstick]

Using the books to explain the “real” meaning doesn’t work because most people haven’t read the books. What matters is what the movie means by itself. That’s what most people will take away from it.

For instance, you talk about there being a states rights theme because the Capitol oppresses all the districts, some of which are probably middle class, and not just the po’ folks of the coal mining district. Well, you really don’t get a sense of that in the movie because the other districts are either glossed over or not presented at all. Instead what you get is basically Marie Antoinette vs. the coal miners, which is about as blatant of a class warfare theme as one could possibly think up.

[LS]

No, now you're weaseling. The issue is what does the symbolism in the movie mean, and YES you can bet that 99% of the teenage girls who did go to the movie read the books. I've already got one page and I'm only 13 pp into "Catching Fire." It's overwhelmingly anti government states rights, not a hint of "class," but all criticism is of the "Capitol" (note: O).

Yes, it's true you don't get a full sense of the districts in the movie, but again, 99% of those who go to the movie have read not just one of the books, but all, many times, like Twilight. Now, if you're going to deny what the overwhelming theme and comments of the books are, then you really do not want to be open to argument and are hard headed then we have no more to discuss.