If you were to visit the official “The Hunger Games” website, you’d find a minimalist page with black borders and warm accents. You’d find stills from the film, short biographies of the actors and a link to the film’s sequel: “Catching Fire.”
“Catching Fire’s” website is not very different from “The Hunger Games’.” In fact, the design is identical. The only difference between the two sites is that “Catching Fire’s” site is constantly being updated with videos, photos and sneak peaks that manage to earn thousands of views almost instantaneously.
“The Hunger Games” is currently ranked at 61st highest box office sales. This is seven spots above “Star Wars: Episode II,” 18 spots above “Life of Pi,” and 73 spots above “Star Trek Into Darkness.”
And this is only the first in what is expected to be a four-part series.
“Catching Fire” is the second film of the film series based on three books by Suzanne Collins. Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy is a New York Times best seller, and the author has won a 2012 Teen Choice Award and a 2013 Kids’ Choice Award for the trilogy.
“The Hunger Games” film far surpasses the achievements of its creator with a whopping 30 wins and 34 nominations. I predict “Catching Fire” will reap even more impressive box office sales and awards.
As the second film of an already successful series with a stable fan base, there’s no doubt in my mind that both Regal Cinemas in Gainesville will be absolutely filled with devoted fans and critics just hours before the premier on Nov. 22.
Tickets are already wearing thin. The film’s Paris premier sold out in just one minute.
Because Gainesville is such a small community, I wouldn’t be surprised to find that tickets to watch the film on opening night are still available. But I also wouldn’t wait till the night before the premier to purchase mine.
As someone who read through the trilogy in five days, I can honestly say that what draws me most to watch the film adaptations of the books is the directors’ authenticity to Collins’ intent.
If you haven’t already, read the books. And, if you have, watch the films. I can almost guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
