The much anticipated movie The Hunger Games, based on the book by Suzanne Collins, is set to hit the big screen on March 23. The Hunger Games is the first book in the trilogy that captured readers all over the world.

The book takes place in the future in the country Panem, which is divided into 12 districts. The districts are ruled by a strict vicious Capitol. Every year the Capitol forces each district to randomly draw the name of a girl and boy between the ages of 12 and 18 to be tributes in the sadistic Hunger Games. Of the 24 tributes only one can emerge from the arena alive, until Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark enter the arena from District 12.

Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence, and Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson, are the main characters in the series. They act as if they are madly in love and when it comes down to just the two of them in the arena they threaten to commit suicide by eating poisonous berries. When the threat of not having a victor comes up the Capitol agrees to crown them both champions.

Other main characters in the trilogy are former Hunger Games victor Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss and Peeta’s mentor for the Games, and Gale Hawthorne, Katniss’ childhood friend who vows to protect Katniss’ family while she is participating in the Games. Haymitch is played by Woody Harrelson and Gale is played by Liam Hemsworth.

The Hunger Games has attracted all kinds of people, kids, adults, students and even teachers. BHS english teacher Rachael Smith uses The Hunger Games to give a  more modern perspective on the classic Julius Caeser.

“I read the Hunger Games and have the students create ‘districts’ in order to see the different persuasive points of view and perspectives in Julius Caesar,” Smith said.  “This year we analyzed the symbolism, allusions, connotative diction, characterization and detailed figurative language, as well.”

Many BHS students are anxiously awaiting to see how the movie turns out.

“I am excited to see how they portray the characters. Many of them have significant characteristics, I can’t wait to see how they show this in the movie,” junior Callie Enick said.

Some BHS students will have to wait to see the movie because they will be in Costa Rica on the spanish trip.

“When I heard the movie premiere was going to be while I was in Costa Rica, I got really upset,” Enick said. “But, then I had to step back into reality and realize I was going to Costa Rica. Plus their will be two other Hunger Game premieres to go to. I got over it pretty quickly, but I still wish I could be in two places at once to be able to experience the premiere.”

Teachers enjoy using the trilogy in the classroom.

“I love the premise of the book–a modern “Lottery” and dystopic satire.  The social commentary is thick and I enjoy using it to teach critical thinking,” Smith said.

According to imbd.com The Hunger Games is the seventh most anticipated movie of 2012.