The much-anticipated film "The Hunger Games" is already on track to be one of the highest grossing movies of the year.

The movie hits theaters for midnight showings across the nation Friday, and thousands of tickets have sold out online. Box office estimates show the film earning nearly $100 million in its first weekend alone.

The movie is based on The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

"I really like the idea of a woman fighting for herself, yet still having the action, adventure, a little bit of sci-fi, some government stuff in there," one fan said. "I think they're very interesting and written very well."

"It's just different," another fan added. "The whole notion -- it's so far fetched from reality."

Actress Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss, the heroine fighting for her life in the futuristic film, while Actor Josh Hutcherson plays Peeta Mellark, a bright but shy boy with a bit of a crush on Katniss.

A tyrannical government forces the teens to compete in a "fight to the death" annual game on reality television.

Focus on the Family film critic Bob Waliszewski said he likes the film, and gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five for family friendliness.

He said the movie is reminiscent of how the Romans would treat Christians in the Coliseum.

"Suzanne Collins, who penned the book the movie is based on, is really trying to send us a message that with a reality TV world in which we live, it is very possible that we could be there once again, hungering after seeing people being killed," Waliszewski said.

"Let's not go there as a society is what she is trying to say," he added.

Waliszewski called "The Hunger Games" a cautionary tale that parents and teens can enjoy together.

*Published Mar. 22, 2012.