Sam, I really have no idea if you guys remember me. But it's Ideathy, oldkid's youngest daughter--
The movie Catching Fire is a really wonderful movie. Maybe it doesn't mature some ideas, but there's another two whole movies. Overall, the games were just as good as in the original movie.
Now then, Katniss as a symbol of hope is really because she was brave enough to DIE before she let the Capital win. And "kids" killing themselves in the arena is a reminder from the Capital that they are in charge, and if you rebel, you die.
I still remember that quite well, as I only watched it last Thanksgiving--and she was the mockingjay, a symbol of hope and a reason to rebel. The whistle(which I believe a mockingjay copied in the first movie) is sort of how they show support. Frankly, I find they started the movie off strongly. With the love triangle in place and making Kat and Peeta act in love. Then sending them off on a crazy train ride where they are shouted at, and has to show no emotion. They failed convincing Snow, and it frankly is just intense. And I agree with Bondo about the ending look that Katniss gives, it's the end for the Capital.
I realize that I went through a ton of ideas there, but I really don't care about the quality of my writing as much as telling you you're wrong. Catching Fire was just as good--if not better--than the first. That's all I really want to get through, and if you feel as though the first was horrible, I disagree with you again.