Classic popular "sci-fi". Expensive effects, an unoriginal plot, and a lack of actual science fiction. There is regular fiction, however, and it is set in a fantasy world, so I guess that's good enough. It certainly is for most people, as this was pretty popular.
Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy it. I vaguely remember reading the book and thinking that the writing style was a little childish, and not feeling invested enough to bother seeking out the second one. This movie adaptation does a little better. The effects really were great, and the acting in most cases was good (especially Woody Harrelson as Haymitch the lovable drunk teacher guy). It seemed to scream self-awareness, telling the audience repeatedly that it was aware of the similarities between the Hunger Games of this future world and the gladiatorial games of ancient Rome. The design of so many aspects - the theater, the circus, some aspects of the arena itself, etc. It fails to acknowledge other fiction that it has been directly copied, however. 'The Running Man' springs to mind, as well 'Battle Royale' (which is basically just 'The Hunger Games' without the future setting, and better).
Did I mention the good acting though? There was a great emmotion shot as Katniss enters the tube and turns, with a closeup of her paniced face as all sound is cut out by the closed door an the tube starts rising. When she's in pain her acting is such that we really believe it, and it can be hard to watch. It reminded me of the Lara Croft from the 2013 'Tomb Raider' game. Also, they both use a bow extensively (although Croft later replaces hers with a couple of pistols).
Rue is cute, and I was sad when she died, but I felt kind of cheated when both Katniss and Peeta make it out at the end, but I guess one minor "good" character dying was as much as a Hollywood audience could take. God forbid one of the main two characters should die, or even, and I know that this is insane but bear with me, that they should both die in saving the innocence personified in Rue, only to have her re-emerge into the flawed outside world and live in poverty and grow as corrupt as every other adult, while Katniss and Peeta enjoy the perfection of dying healthy and young and being remembered as heroes. With a final scene being an aged Rue cursing her saviors with her last breath. But that's just my silly idea.
PS. I don't buy for a second that Peeta learned how to pain himself into a rock using only natural colouring thanks to his awesome cupcake skills. I do like pita bread though, and I wonder if he makes it at his store.
The Hunger Games: 42.6