Nah I haven't read the books. I guess having seen and read Battle Royale I sort of knew what to expect, but at least in that it focuses more on all the students for the most part. In this there was never really any questionable doubt that Katniss wouldn't survive. I guess seeing the first one when the sequel was already out didn't really help with that either, but even then the narrative is so centrally focused around Katniss there's no doubt that she'd survive.
In the films at least I don't really feel like any of the characters had any sort of depth to them. Perhaps this perception is better coming in with additional knowledge from the books. I dunno, the films just feel too centered around Katniss. Like I get she's the main character and all, but actual interesting plot progressing elements like "they bombed the hell out of district 12 but I got your mother and sister out in time" or what little elements of backstory we get about other characters are confined to like 3 minutes screentime each.
I guess more than anything I just find Katniss's character excrutiating in general and would love for some focus to be given to the other characters beyond a few minutes here and there. Honestly I would've found the 2nd film a lot more interesting if Katniss had actually died and that was the spark that ignited the rebellion. But for me I just found it predictable who allied with her and who didn't. I'm also expecting that in the third film one of those allies will betray Katniss, probably under the lure of power/money or due to love or blackmail from President Snow (or possibly all 3), but knowing the way the writing has been so far it will probably be the least interesting character of the lot and the justification and motives will get glossed over in 3 minutes.
I think these films just got so overhyped that I was expecting something pretty groundbreaking and engrossing, but really, the films at least are pretty average affairs, that just seem to toss cardboard cut out characters by the wayside as quick as they introduce them.
Maybe I'll give the books a read instead and see if I find those to be any better.