By Paulie Massey-
Mount Vernon High School students are hungry. What are they hungry for? The 74th annual Hunger Games!

Last Thursday, students lined up for hours waiting to get into the midnight premiere of “The Hunger Games,” a novel by Suzanne Collins made into a hit film. “The midnight premiere was intense. People were chanting things and we waited in line for four hours,” said junior Lauren Wilch, who saw the movie at Wehrenberg Galaxy 16 Cine in Cedar Rapids.

On its opening weekend, ‘The Hunger Games” brought in $155 million in ticket sales, becoming number three in biggest opening weekends of all time. “There were a ton of people in line and it was fun to wait because the suspense built for the movie,” said junior Chelsie Minor. The movie is rated PG-13, and is two hours and twenty minutes in length.

So what’s the story behind all this hype? “The Hunger Games” is about a post-apocalyptic society ruled by the oppressive Capitol, which demands two “tributes” ages 12 to 18 from each of the twelve districts to fight to the death in a pageant known as the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen volunteers as tribute in place of her younger sister, and the story follows her traumatic experiences in the games.

Junior Ali Jaeger confirmed that the movie was just like the book, and many of her peers agreed.

“It was very good, in comparison with the books, the movie was not a let down at all,” said Chelsie.

Junior Hanna Giegerich disagreed, “It was really good, but I was a little disappointed because the books were so much better.” Of course, whenever a book is turned into a movie there’s a question of whether the actors will do the characters justice that are so near and dear to the readers’ hearts.

Actress Jennifer Lawrence seemed to fit the part of Katniss very well in the eyes of most students. “Katniss is my favorite character because she’s strong, brave, and awesome, and I thought Jennifer Lawrence did a really great job,” said Lauren.

In the story, Katniss has two boys in her life, her long-time best friend Gale and fellow tribute Peeta. So the question is always, which boy deserves her heart? Most girls know which they would choose, including sophomore Miranda Chapman: “I’m team Peeta because he’s so hot.”

Sophomore Hannah Wieditz is also a Peeta fan, saying, “I was disappointed because I liked the character of Peeta and in the movie they didn’t go deep enough into the relationship between Peeta and Katniss and that will make people like Gale more, which is bad.”

Junior Lindy Sherman might be one of these people, as she voiced her opinion: “Gale’s really hot. That’s the first thing I noticed.” But unlike the “Twilight” films, “The Hunger Games’” audience is more than a mass of teenage girls. This action-packed, thoughtful story line draws girls and boys, teens and adults alike. “There were a lot of Mount Vernon and Cornell students there, and a mix of boys and girls,” said Chelsie or opening night at the Bijou. A group of Mount Vernon teachers went to the Sunday matinee.

Social Studies teacher Margo Massey described the movie as disturbing yet very entertaining. “The movie keeps you on the edge of your seat and I can’t wait to see the second one,” said Mrs. Massey.

Many students have read the book. High school and middle school librarian Suzette Kragenbrink said that all six copies of the book are currently checked out at each school. She said that before spring break, there were 13 on the waiting list at the middle school, even though the school had just had a book fair where many students purchased the book. Although the book has not had constant popularity, it had an upswing last year when it won the Iowa High School Book Award, and again since January students have continually checked it out to prepare for the movie.

Miranda and Lindy both admitted to crying during the more touching parts of the film. So if you haven’t yet seen this hit movie, go ahead and have a happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor.