To the thrill of hoards of teenagers, The Hunger Games was released on March 23, 2012. Thousands of eager fans fled to theaters across America to view the midnight showing. A total of $19.75 million came into the box office from the 2,565 theaters who held midnight showings. The film set the record for all-time highest-grossing non-sequel midnight premiere ever. In addition, the film grossed $155 in its opening weekend alone, which is the highest ever for a movie not debuting in the summer. The violent, yet love-stricken series attracts a wide range of fans from teenage girls to adult men.

The movie takes the first book and brings it to life. The story is set in the future in which the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television. Katniss Everdeen (X-Men’s Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take her younger sister’s place for this year’s 74th Hunger Games. She will fight alongside, as well as against, the male tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson most recently seen in Journey: The Mysterious Island.) Other actors in the film include: Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, and Liam Hemsworth.

The movie stays very true to the book which will make the trilogy’s lovers extremely pleased. With the movie taking place in the future, the effects are incredibly life-like. The costumes are ornate and very brightly colored. The audience falls into this world in which everyone is controlled. The film is very violent so audience members should be prepared for bloody violence as children are forced to fight to the death on screen. There also is of course the love story that helps to keep that wide fan base.

Whether or not you have read the books, the film stands very well on its own. With its running time 2 hours 20 minutes, it captures the audiences attention for the entire time and is a must see!