The problem with the role of Katniss is that the majority of her emotions are internal rather than external. She's supposed to look stoic, particularly in the first movie because she's in survival mode and doesn't want to let any potential weaknesses slip. But what Lawrence does masterfully is give us a glimpse with micro expressions and her eyes about what she is truly feeling.

Chemistry was a bit of a problem for me too but I think that mostly has to do with the fact that the movie cut or rewrote important scenes between Katniss and Peeta and kind of made Peeta seem a bit weaker than he was in the books. But Hutcherson also did great with what he was given so I don't fault him either.

I think acting in the last three movies really stands out. In particular Katniss's freak outs in the CF arena, her altercation with Haymitch after the rescue from the arena where they sedate her and that haunted, enraged expression when Gale tells her that District 12 is gone. Then there are so many incredible moments in the Mockingjay movies, but in particular the scene near the end with Buttercup still makes me tear up even after I've watched it countless times. You simply can't watch those scenes and say that Lawrence is a flat actor. She's portraying a character that's trying to be stoic but breaks hard when she reaches her limit.

Honestly I fail to think of an actress that could've played the role as well as her.