The Hunger Games

For those of you who don't know, The Hunger Games is the first book of three, written by Suzanne Collins, just recently turned into a movie directed by Gary Ross. It is set in the future where North America, now called Panem, is split into 12 districts and the Capitol selects a boy and a girl from each district to partake in "The Hunger Games," a fight to the death, broadcasted on live television. The rules of the games are that twenty-four participants go in, and only one comes out alive as the victor. The games are part entertainment and part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts. The story follows Katniss, a 16-year-old, who volunteers in place of her young sister, Prim. She becomes the tribute participant for District 12 along with her male counterpart, Peeta.

I went to the midnight premiere of The Hunger Games on Thursday. I'm a huge fan. I've read all of the books and really was beyond ecstatic to see it. There's something to be said about reading a book and then watching it come to life on screen. It's almost magical. You get to compare the characters and scenes that you pictured in your head while reading to the director's version in a movie. Especially seeing it at the premiere at midnight, when only true fans come. We are all covered in Hunger Games shirts and dressed up like the characters. We all have a mutual love for the novel. There was complete silence during it except for the occasional applause and gasps when a scene was done so beautifully. I saw it again on Friday night and it was completely different. Not the movie. The audience. There were boys behind me trying to be funny and calling out things during it. There were people who laughed immaturely during emotional or romantic scenes. There was even a guy snoring loudly enough for the whole theater to hear. That's the difference between going to the premiere and going when everyone else goes. It's the true, diehard fans that make the experience. It was so much more emotional and breathtaking when I was surrounded by people who are in love with it as much as I am and don't talk or laugh during quiet scenes. So word of advice: If you read an amazing book and it gets the privilege to become a film, go to the premiere and I guarantee your experience will be undeniably more enjoyable and memorable.

I would give The Hunger Games five out of five stars. It really is a touching and captivating movie. Even if you haven't read the books, I would definitely suggest it. It's a movie for both guys and girls and it really keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way through.