This was an amazing movie. I hightly recommend reading the book first. The movie would still be great without reading the book first but has much more meaning if you know every detail you can only find in the book. I can not wait for the next part. It will not come out soon enough. I could have stayed in my seat and watched it again. Will definitely be buying the dvd when it comes back. My daughter and I have read all 3 books and are reading Catching Fire (2nd book) again already!