A Big Slice of Swiss Cheese

Rating: 3/10 (23 March 2012)

I want to firstly note that I am in No Way a wannabe movie buff who bashes movies to make me sound like I know a lot, in fact I love most movies and give them credit despite bad reviews.
I use the term "Swiss Cheese" to bring to light two things that were very apparent: The holes (plot and character), and the cheese (overly dramatic and cliché).
This review is directed to two audiences: 1. Those who watched the movie and thought it was good and; 2. Those who are thinking about watching the movie and don't care about a few spoilers in order to make a better decision whether to spend 15 bucks and three hours, or go out and ride a bike.
My review will contain only questions because that is all I was left with at the end of the movie. These questions contain spoilers.
1. I know "shaky camera" filming can sometimes be effective. But why does the director use it with extreme close-ups throughout the entire movie so that action sequences are blurred and confusing? When you see blood and hear someone dying, only after a couple minutes do you realize who it was when you finally see a body on the ground.
2. The "Sponsors" is an intriguing idea: impress certain people and they can send you useful items like medicine and weapons during the game. Who are the sponsors? Why is it so hard to get one? How much do they have to pay to send you an item? Are they individuals or corporations? Do they get recognition for sponsoring you? Why?
3. The whole "teaming up" kind of made sense for a little while: You have a better chance at winning if you team up and kill the other stragglers. But when do you turn on your partner? Why was everyone so friendly when the rules dictate only the last person standing can win? If I had to compete, I wouldn't just sleep so peacefully next to three other people who at any moment could try to kill me.
4. When Katniss teams up with the little girl who dies in her arms, why does she waste precious time looking for pretty white flowers to make a burial site for the girl while the others are trying to find and kill her? When the girl is dying, was it necessary for Katniss to start singing songs to her?
5. The training before the games was also very under developed. These kids can't just throw a couple spears and suddenly become killers. Why are there no trainers? Why don't they explain how they get better?
6. When Katniss goes in front of the judges to impress them, how does she miss so badly with her first arrow, then get a perfect bullseye, then shoot an impossible shot through the apple?
There are simply so many questions unanswered. I don't understand why it is so highly rated. Please. Someone Explain to me what I have missed.