It's difficult...

Rating: 7/10 (1 April 2012)

(I've tried to make this short review spoiler-free, so I hope I don't give anything away!)
Contrary to the many negative reviews on this page, I actually found the film quite delectable. I did not even notice the shaking camera that much, though I'm not very sensitive when it comes to this, so I shall say no more.
The portrayal of the characters by the actors/actresses have been done very well, and I don't really have any negative comments for them, so I would like to congratulate them for a job well done.
Now this is where I disagree with the mainstream comments: I found the pace of the film easy to follow, and not at all boring. I watched it twice and I didn't feel bored both times. Maybe it was even a bit too quick. I would have liked to watch a bit more and I thought it could go up to 3 hours, but that might be pushing the boundaries a little... Also, I felt that the artistic side of the film was done very well, from the costumes to the design of the Capitol.
But I think the enjoyable aspects of the film speak for themselves. I should focus on the frowns a bit more:
I do agree that the book is a lot better, though I enjoyed the film nonetheless. I would have liked to see the political context explored in the film, and yes, there was a lack of desperation during the Games, and even outside of the Games. I think the audience is all too familiar with images of poverty and disorder. The book has much more to offer than these superficial images of a dystopian world. And if there is one thing which can separate the Hunger Games from similar stories like Battle Royale, it is the political context of the Games. Hopefully, the next two films will pay more attention to these issues as the protagonists become involved in a bigger world.
Also, the film did not develop the characters well enough. For example, there is more to the hunting and the mockingjay symbol than what the film suggests. Much of the history of the characters, as well as Panem, have been omitted. However, I probably enjoyed these aspects of the book most. It's not the actors'/actresses' problem - they have done a great job embodying the many aspects of the characters. Rather, the screenplay was unable to take advantage of the actors'/actresses' talents by not providing more background information to portray and develop the characters properly.
As a film, I'd give it 7/10, but I've always had this personal attraction to dystopian stories so I feel inclined to give this film one extra score, which makes 8/10. And I will readily admit that I'm quite biased, too! :D