“May the odds be ever in your favor.” Teenager Katniss Everdeen clings to this mantra as she fights her way through the 74th Annual Hunger Games, a televised competition that takes place in a futuristic world in which children are selected to fight one another to the death.

This weekend marked the premiere of The Hunger Games, one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. Originally a book trilogy by Suzanne Collins, this movie brought thousands of dedicated fans to the theaters this weekend. As an avid reader and fan of the series, I was excited to see the film and compare it to the book that I enjoyed so much.

At first I was worried that the movie might taint my impressions of the books. Often times, movies that come out of books fall flat, or there is a plot twist with some drastic, uncalled-for change. Thankfully, my high expectations didn’t fall flat. The Hunger Games movie was nearly identical to how I pictured it in the book. It was very authentic and often quoted the book directly, which made the movie that much stronger.

Strong acting, interesting special effects and a captivating plot line made this movie worth its $11 ticket price. This movie isn’t targeted at a specific audience; boys, girls, teenagers and adults alike can appreciate it. Highly action packed just a hint of a romantic twist, The Hunger Games will leave you mesmerized in wonder.