I feel like I should only add half the title here: Review, part 1

Rating: 7/10 (30 November 2015)

Every story has some elements and they usually are in the same order. You have the hook, you have the set up, the character descriptions, some action, some life changing decisions, the twists and so on. Since part 1 of part 3 is just half a story, you only get the set up! The hook is presumably in the first two movies, but let's say we have a weak one at the beginning of the film, as well. And then it goes something like "Tomorrow... Panem!" and the movie ends.
One year later, you get the second movie, which starts where this one ended and it's overly long and obviously artificially so. However, Part 1 is not so bad. In fact, I would say it is definitely better than the second part. The characters are described, their motivations laid bare, we only need the action stuff, that doesn't really happen here. However this slowness of pace is also what forces the actors and movie makers to improve on the quality of the exposition.
That doesn't make it a great movie, but it is a decent one, and it certainly raises expectations.