Hunger Games marathon sees in latest film

Anje Jaeckle, 18, Alexander Lurz, 18, Mirco Seipp, 19, and Jacqueline Mackellas, 18, were ready to get the first two Hunger Games films under their belt before heading back to the cinemas to see the newest instalment today. Photo / Ruth Keber

Tauranga's Hunger Games devotees joined millions of other fans around the world last night for the midnight screening of Mockingjay - Part 1, the third instalment of the movie series.

Last night Bay City Cinemas gave fans the opportunity to watch the first two films, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, before viewing the newest instalment at midnight.

Avid fan Pauline Porschitz has read all the books and could not wait to see the latest film in the franchise. "I started reading the books three years ago and I loved every one. My friend was reading them and suggested them to me and I got hooked straight away."

Ms Porschitz said she loved the way Katniss, the film's main character, dealt with whatever was happening in the films and always seem to come out on top.

"I've been waiting to watch the new film all year and think it's going to be good, if it's anything like the first two I know it will be."

Anje Jaeckle, 18 said she and her friends were only going to watch the first two films last night and were going to go back to the cinemas today to watch Mockingjay.

The four friends had enjoyed the films so far because they were always action-packed with a gripping story line.

However, Alexander Lurz said the films were not as good as the books but were still worth the watching.

The last Hunger Game movie, Mockingjay - Part 2 has been filmed and is due out next year.

First published in 2008, The Hunger Games, began as a science fiction novel by American writer Suzanne Collins. The novel has sold more than 65 million copies in the US alone.

Written in the voice of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem in North America, the book follows her journey in the annual event, The Hunger Games, where one boy and one girl aged 12 to 18 from each of the 12 districts surrounding a capital are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle to the death. The Hunger Games was adapted into film in 2012.