'Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Scores Big With The Critics. No, Really

There was a time when the only films that got good reviews were arty French ones and Toy Story. Nowadays, everything’s got the critics dancing with joy. That’s not really true, but Hunger Games: Catching Fire has 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Katniss has some big decisions to make in the upcoming Hunger Games film

Thing is, it’s pretty easy to write the Hunger Games off as a movie for 19-year-olds who work in supermarkets and read the books on their breaks – over and over again. Too easy, really. As it happens, the critics didn’t subscribe to the same level of snobbery you just read.

Check out pictures from the Hunger Games premiere in London last night

“Dismiss it as a popcorn movie if you must, but at least they've bothered to serve it with real butter and truffle salt,” said Alonso Duralde of The Wrap in his review.

Catch Clark – for Time Out – said: “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.”

Variety’s Peter Debruge liked it too. He said: “’Catching Fire’ makes for rousing entertainment in its own right, leaving fans riled and ready to storm the castle.”

Liam Hensworth co-stars in Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The first Hunger Games movie was a well-received affair, which makes the sequel’s reception an even bigger achievement. Then again, when your lead wins an Oscar (Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook) during filming, then you know something’s right.

"She didn't bring her Oscar with her," said Josh Hutcherson, who plays Peeta Mellark in Francis Lawrence's film, according to The Guardian. He was referencing Lawrence’s comments on the red carpet of the premiere last night, when she joked that the golden statuette accompanies her to work.

"I'm curious to know who brings their Oscar on set. But every time she would forget a line, Woody would go: 'Oh, better give that Oscar back! She was already a pretty big target, but after the Oscar she was an even bigger target. But no, she didn't change at all,” he added.

With two solidly reviewed movies behind it, and an inevitable box office-topping period ahead for the second and a Hollywood darling in the ranks, it looks as though the Hunger Games franchise is in a strong position to top it all with a third and fourth film.

">Watch the Hunger Games: Catching Fire trailer here