After months of hype leading up to the release of "The Hunger Games," opening weekend proved the odds will remain ever in its favor.
Since the 2008 release of the first book in the trilogy, this franchise has been catching fire across the country, and the blaze has definitely made its way to The Plains.
"I started reading the books right before Thanksgiving break because everyone kept talking about them," said Michael Pittman, junior in finance and marketing. "I cracked open the first book, and I couldn't put it down. I read all three of them in the span of like three days. I just fell in love with them."
In the hour leading up to the March 23 midnight premiere of the film, Carmike Cinemas Wynnsong 16's parking lot was well past capacity with cars spilling into surrounding lots, and the lobby was packed with people and "Hunger Games" paraphernalia.
"We used all 16 theaters [at midnight]," said Josh Ezzell, staff leader at CCW 16. "We filled every theater. We also had about 200 people come for a 3:15 a.m. showing later that morning."
Fans of the book series have been eagerly awaiting its first movie adaptation since Lions Gate Entertainment began production plans in 2009.
"I probably watched the trailer about 30 to 40 times," Pittman said. "I was obsessed."
Many seized the opportunity to be amongst the first to watch the story come to life on screen.
"I always love going to midnight premiers when I'm passionate about something," Pittman said. "You're surrounded by all of the dedicated fans who love the book. Everyone was really excited for it. Everyone was anxious to make sure it was done right."
While the group awaited the movie, Pittman even staged a "reaping" -- the ceremony in which tributes are chosen for the Games -- in theater eight, referring to it as "District Eight" from the books.
"We wanted to do something with the crowd," Pittman said. "I'm pretty sure every single person in the theater participated. Everyone kept running up to me to put their names in the buckets."
But being a part of these first showings required an early interest.
"We started selling tickets about a month before the movie came out, and we sold out about the Tuesday before," Ezzell said. "Most sales were online tickets. About a quarter of the people bought tickets from us, but they had to come and do that before. There were no tickets sold the night of."
Most viewers felt the extra effort was worth it.
"It definitely lived up to all of our expectations," Pittman said. "You really could tell the director and all the actors took it seriously. They really stayed true to the book.
"They eliminated a couple of things like Madge, the Mayor's daughter, and the way (Katniss) got the Mockingjay pin... but they only had so much time in the movie," Pittman said.
But not everyone who attended the premier was an avid fan.
"Everyone was obsessed with it, and all my roommates were going, so I figured why not go?" said Megan Reid, freshman in horticulture.
Although some parts of the film were confusing to someone unfamiliar with the book, Reid admitted the story did pull her in.
"It probably wasn't as good as what everyone was hyping it up to be, but it was still really good," Reid said. "I could tell I was supposed to know more about it from reading the books, like what they were thinking and stuff. It made me want to read the books."
Box office reports support these students' opinions, as the movie brought in $152.5 million during the opening weekend, a record for spring releases and the third-best opening weekend of all time.
"We had a pretty busy weekend," Ezzell said. "I would say this one's had more staying power than some of them that we've had. It's still selling, even today, a good bit."
Pittman believes its success is due to the story's mass appeal.
"It appeals to girls because of the relationship and the drama with Peeta and Katniss," Pittman said. "It appeals to guys in that there's violence and cool things like that. It appeals to people our age, maybe a little younger and older. There's not really a cut-off age.
"It's really well written. It's not something you've seen before. It's a great story and not an overly used plot line," Pittman added.
Reid reiterated most of Pittman's reasoning, but added another point she picked up on.
"I think the appeal is with District 12 and the fact that they were the underdogs--that the underdogs can win. That appeals to a lot of people."
Whatever the explanation, it seems "The Hunger Games" won't be starved for viewers in Auburn or around the rest of the country.
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