A look at 'The Hunger Games' world premier from people who were there

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LOS ANGELES - "The Hunger Games" has become a worldwide phenomenon and fans can nearly contain their excitement as the release for the upcoming film adaption approaches. The film's world premier was Monday night and all of the greater Los Angeles area was buzzing with Hunger Games energy. ksl.com had the chance to talk with two brothers who attended the coveted premier, one an experienced veteran and the other a Hollywood novice.

Brothers KC and Joe Clyde, both Salt Lake City natives, received the full Hollywood experience Monday night when they attended "The Hunger Games" premier as VIP guests of one of the film's stars, Josh Hutcherson.

Hutcherson plays Peeta Mellark in the film and his star is quickly rising. 19-year-old Hutcherson and KC Clyde have been close friends ever since they worked on a film together when Hutcherson was just 9 and they have been tackling Hollywood together ever since.

"Josh handled the chaos with grace and dignity," Clyde said of Hutcherson and how he dealt with thousands of fans asking for autographs and begging for pictures. "He was a pro."

From left, Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth arrive at the world premiere of "The Hunger Games" on Monday March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Clyde said the film's premier was like nothing he's experienced before. He's no stranger to the bright lights of Hollywood having appeared in more than 20 films, numerous TV shows and starring in one of Utah's favorites, "The Best Two Years."

Clyde said out of all the premier's he has attended up to this point, including films like "Superman Returns" and "Journey to the Center of the Earth," were held in large theaters. But "The Hunger Games" is a different beast all together and needed a much larger stage. The film premiered at the Nokia Theater is Los Angeles so the films distributors could accommodate the 5,500 people who attended.

"It was not run of the mill," Clyde said. "The producers made it classy and not gimmicky. It felt like old Hollywood."

Clyde's brother, Joe Clyde, attended the premier as well, but he had never experienced anything like this and said he felt a little out of place.

"Don't get me wrong, I thought it was incredible, but I'm not sure I fit in," Joe Clyde said.

Fit in or not, he was part of one of Hollywood's biggest premier's of one of 2012's most anticipated films.

Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence in a scene from "The Hunger Games"

"There was an energy from all of the fans and I almost couldn't take it all in," Joe continued.

Following the film the Clyde brothers attended a VIP after party held on the roof of the Nokia Theater's parking garage. A huge tent was set up on the roof and inside guests enjoyed champagne, gourmet food and hob knobbing with Hollywood's stars.

The Clyde brothers said thousands of fans lined the red carpet in hopes of meeting the stars of the film as well as other Hollywood heavy weights like Sylvester Stallone, Kate Beckinsale and Miley Cyrus.

Fans waited for hours to see the stars head into the theater and the wait paid off for some. KC Clyde said just before the film began a few hundred fans were allowed to head inside and watch the film.

"It was fun to hear them clapping and cheering during the movie," Clyde said. "They were so excited to see the movie and that excitement kind of spilled over into the rest of the theater.

While all of this is interesting and gives us a taste of "How the other half lives," as Joe Clyde put it, let's get to what you really want to hear about. How was the movie?

"It was extremely entertaining and the acting was great," Joe Clyde said. "I read the book with my girls and I think what the filmmakers put on the screen does justice to book."

Josh Hutcherson, left, and Jennifer Lawrence arrive at the world premiere of "The Hunger Games" on Monday March 12, 2012 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

KC Clyde said the cinematography was beautiful, the acting was top notch and that director Gary Ross brought a vision to the screen that will keep fans of the book happy and newcomers on the edge of their seat. But most of all, Clyde says he's most impressed and proud of his friend.

"It was great to see Josh (Hutcherson) grow as an actor," Clyde said. "Josh has been a celeb for awhile, but this will make him an A-list star."

Clyde said Hutcherson manages a depth, emotion and vulnerability in the film that he hadn't seen him achieve yet.

"He holds his own against Academy Award nominees Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci and two time Golden Globe winnerDonald Sutherland. He's not over-powered or left behind. He made his presence known," Clyde said.

While we didn't have the same opportunity as the Clyde brothers to attend one of the biggest premiers Hollywood has seen in recent years, we will get the opportunity to see "The Hunger Games" come to life when it opens nationwide on March 23.