hunger gamesJust in time for the Super Bowl commercials bonanza, a new, extended Hunger Games trailer has been released. And it's so thrilling, I can hardly believe they're showing it to us nearly two months before the movie opens. I mean, doesn't that qualify as torture? Hunger Games doesn't show up in theaters until March 23!

Please, I beg of you, don't watch the trailer below. It's thrilling. But it's just going to drive you crazy.

Okay, fine. Enjoy, it's awesome. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

They really fan the drama flames with this one. We start with a tender scene where Katinss gives her little sister Prim a mockingjay pin, a religious symbol. "As long as you have it, nothing bad will happen to you." And then, BAM, right to that pivotal scene where Prim is chosen as a tribute. Is there anything more heart-wrenching than hearing a child scream? We see Katniss volunteer to stand in her place.

The new trailer shows a lot of the same running-through-the-forest, burning logs, and sword-fighting bits that we saw before. But it also gives us a few more details of the glam side of the games.

Stanley Tucci as the gameshow host Caesar Flickerman is as slick and sparkly as an oil spill on a sunny day. It's his job to draw out the personalities of the contestants, which heightens the drama of the games. He asks Katniss what she told her sister when she volunteered herself as tribute. She replies, "I told her I would try to win for her." "And try you will," he says, and kisses her hand. It's like he's the anti-Yoda from Empire Strikes Back telling Skywalker he will be frightened. "You will be ..." But maybe I'm reading too much into that scene.

Anyway, I was also thrilled to see Katniss' stylist Cinna -- played by Lenny Kravitz! We see him for a mere split second, but he conceals a mockingjay pin underneath her coat. It's a gift of protection from her sister Prim! How did she get it to Katniss? And how much does Cinna risk by pinning it on her? Will it really protect her?

We'll have to wait and see. Another seven weeks! Please, no more trailers, I can't take it!

Are you excited to see The Hunger Games?

 

Image via Movies.Yahoo.com