-I don't see how race effects the nature of the characters. Rue's personality made her who she was, not her skin color. I don't even see how this matters to people, it is beyond my comprehension.
-Fans should read the books. Rue and Thresh, at least, are clearlydescribed as having dark brown skin.
-In the main movie trailer (the one that John Doe posted) it shows Cinna and Rue's characters. (I recognized them right away). I don't see how many people could walk into this movie without seeing that. I understand not everyone watches movie trailers, but I think a fan would at least check it out. But like I said...it really shouldn't matter.
I loved the movie and thought it was very well done. I liked the casting, I thought it was great. I agree with methodwriter85 that having more dialogue with the cave scenes would have done well to develop Peeta's character. However, I think the way Peeta looked at Katniss while he was applying the medicine to her forehead did more for that scene than dialogue would have. Just my opinion.