Having read the first book twice, most recently this past weekend before the movie was released, I agree with many of the readers gripes about subtle changes and omissions. However, Suzanne Collins herself signed off on the screenplay, and I believe wanted to be in on the project. Therefore anything that was "changed" was done so with her approval. So if she signed off on the movie then I have no problem with anything changed or omitted.
The movie by itself was FANTASTIC!!!! Easily one of the best movies of the year so far. I might go see it again this week sometime.
Casting was outstanding! I honestly think Jennifer really capture how scared the character Katniss was supposed to be. I'm not sure if there is any Oscar buzz for her performance yet, but there really should be!
The rest of the cast did a very good job as well, even the tributes with speaking parts and I LOVED the imagry from the seam, district 11 to the Capitol. Really told the story with the same way I imagined it from the book!
6/5 stars, or 11/10 on IMDB if we could rate it that high!