The first reviews for "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" have been revealed after the film's London Premiere, and the movie looks to be a critical success.
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth, "Catching Fire" follows Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark as they become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games.
The film held its world premiere in London with Lawrence, Hemsworth and Hutcherson in attendance. Other castmates who graced the red carpet included Sam Claflin, Elizabeth Banks and Jena Malone. The film received a standing ovation and critics are giving the sequel positive reviews.
Cath Clarke from Time out gave the movie four stars out of five and stated, "Like Katniss ducking a poison-tip arrow, the keepers of Suzanne Collins's trilogy of fantasy novels have dodged the perils of the sloppy second franchise film"
Peter Debruge from Variety wrote, "'Catching Fire' makes for rousing entertainment in its own right, leaving fans riled and ready to storm the castle."
Todd McCarthy from the Hollywood Reporter was also positive: "A safe, serviceable, carefully crafted action drama in which the subversive seeds planted in the first story take welcome root," wrote McCarthy.
Alfonso Duralde from The Wrap also gave the movie a positive review and stated, "Dismiss it as a popcorn movie if you must, but at least they've bothered to serve it with real butter and truffle salt."
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" comes a year after the success of the first installment "The Hunger Games," which was also a critical success and grossed $408 million. "Catching Fire" is already tracking well, with pundits estimating the film will break records and become the highest grossing film of the year.
"Catching Fire" was directed by Francis Lawrence and written by Michael Arndt and Simon Beaufoy. The film also stars Stanley Tucci, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Woody Harrelson, Jeffrey Wright and Amanda Plummer. The movie will be released on Nov. 22.