One of the most anticipated films of 2012, "The Hunger Games", is hitting theatres across the globe this week.
In New York fans flocked to sold out shows at its midnight release in Times Square.
The movie, based on the best selling novel by US author Suzanne Collins, depicts a dystopian future where young teenagers are sent into a televised battle of life and death in which only one survives.
Film bosses have high hopes for the film and want to see it repeat the success of other teen movies, including the "Harry Potter" and "Twilight" franchises.
And according to those theatregoers who sat through the 142-minutes of Hunger Games action, most say it does indeed live up to the hype.
SOUNDBITE: Jay Nevins, New York resident, saying (English):
"I was waiting to see it, like. I mean, word-for-word they didn't leave anything out. It was absolutely amazing. Must see. Go see it."
SOUNDBITE: Evan Coleman, New York resident, saying (English):
"The book was better. It's just the way it is. As a movie, it was excellent. As a depiction of the book, left a lot to be desired, like accuracy for one."
SOUNDBITE: Jenni Lawton, New York resident, saying (English):
"Twilight doesn't even hold a candle to this film or this writer Suzanne Collins, like, not even a moment. No. This is far beyond 'Twilight' could ever even pretend to imagine."
SOUNDBITE: Nadeen Shaalan, 14-year-old fan, saying (English):
"I mean obviously there's a lot of things as a book reader, like, you know, you want certain things in the movie that weren't there but all-in-all, it was just amazing. I'm like...(laughs)."
In the US and UK "The Hunger Games" officially opens this Friday (March 23).
Forecasts predict it could take around 125 million USD at its opening weekend in the US alone.
Kathi Urban, Reuters
