Early 'Hunger Games' Reviews: What Are Critics Saying?

An embargo on early reviews of "The Hunger Games" has left publications and the Internet mostly devoid of critiques of the film thus far. But a few have nonetheless snuck through and shown themselves; so what are the critics saying about the most hyped movie of the year?

Fans will be happy to know that at least one critic, Robbie Collin of The Telegraph, has given the movie a glowing review. Collin says that despite the movie's familiar themes and tropes, it "couldn't feel fresher, or timelier," and is both "provocative" and "pulse-surgingly tense."

Collin makes special note of the production design, gushing about the look and feel of the Capitol: "As the Appalachian gothic of their district gives way to the vivid, candy-toned steampunk city," he says of Katniss and Peeta's train ride to the Capitol, "we feel every flutter of their exhilaration."

"The Hunger Games is an essential science fiction film for our times; perhaps the essential science fiction film of our times," Collin lovingly concludes. "Whatever your age, it demands to be devoured." That's about as good an endorsement as you're going to get.

Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter was also supportive of the film, but with far less enthusiasm. "The arrow hits the outer circle of the target," notes McCarthy, saying that the movie is faithful to the book, but that the need to make adjustments for the PG-13 rating takes away some of the "heady sense of blood-scent" of Suzanne Collins' novel.

McCarthy gushes about Jennifer Lawrence's performance, though there was little doubt that it would be anything short of fantastic: the Oscar nominee has turned in precise yet emotional performances in everything from "Like Crazy" to "X-Men: First Class." However, he also notes that the subtleties of her tactics in the arena, including the layers of her relationship with fellow contestant Peeta, are lost in the movie without us being able to hear Katniss' thoughts as we can in the book.

In short, the early reviews seem to say this: if you're a fan, you'll love it. If you're not a fan, chances are good that you'll enjoy it. There's a strong enough story and lead character here that it's hard to mess things up too much.