'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire:' The Sequel Is A Success-Review Roundup

'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' is almost a week away from hitting theatres everywhere (Nov 22nd), but it recently had its world premiere in London on Monday, meaning it gave a chance for the critics judging eyes to gaze on the anticipated sequel.

Katniss (Lawrence) and Peeta (Hutchinson) in 'Catching Fire'

'The Hunger: Games' film franchise is based on a 2008 novel by Suzanne Collins with the same name, the first instalment hit the big screen in 2012 and it proved highly successful. American actress Jennifer Lawrence starred as 'Katniss Everdeen', a teenage girl who takes part in The 'Hunger Games' and through her courage she brings hope to the poverty stricken districts of 'Panem'.

Hemsworth repirses his role of 'Gale Hawthorne'

Lawrence reprises her role in the sequel and this time, is more lethal than ever. After winning the previous 'Hunger Games', herself and 'Peeta' (Josh Hutcinson) set off on a 'Victory Tour', on their travels they sense a rebellion is brewing within the districts but President Snow wants to stop their up-rise before it's too late and he threatens 'Katniss's' best friend 'Gale Hawthorne' (Liam Hemsworth) before hatching a plan to end this hope.

This will be the 75th 'Hunger Games', but every 25 years the rules change, this is known as 'Quarter Quell'. Victors from each district will compete to find out who is the best, in other words, the most skilled and highly trained killers are now battling each other until the death. President Snow is using this opportunity to kill off 'Katniss' and 'Peeta' and in turn destroying any ray of hope the districts had.

Watch 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' trailer here

Many critics were on hand in London's Leicester Square, what do they think of the newest instalment?

Todd McCarthy from The Hollywood Reporter thought the sequel outshone its predecessor, "The new film boasts a noticeably spiffier, more confident feel than the first, even as the overriding impression is one of methodical responsibility to the source material."

Peter Debruge of Variety praises the sequel for leaving the audience wanting more, he says "'Catching Fire' makes for rousing entertainment in its own right, leaving fans riled and ready to storm the castle."

Can 'Katniss' maintain the districts hope

Tom Gilchrist from The Playlist echoes the sequels vast improvement from the 1st film, "The rare sequel that surpasses its predecessor, 'Catching Fire' tackles head-on the repercussions of the events of "The Hunger Games," deepening Collins' cinematic mythology while proving that teen-lit is more than capable of tackling complex ideas."

However, there was a very, very small minority who didn't warm to 'Catching Fire' as they might have hoped.

President Snow wants to eliminate 'Katniss' before it is too late

Screen Daily's review was quite ruthless as it stated "Catching Fire remains glumly mediocre because it can't shake its disappointing mirroring of the first film or its role as connective tissue between The Hunger Games and subsequent sequels."

The film, to most, is obviously going to be a cinemagoers favourite, and on its 22nd November release the theatres will be filled of high expectations.

Katniss and Peeta take part in  a 'Victory Tour'