Film Review - The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Images courtesy of Roadshow Films.
The Hunger Games returns in the prequel The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes. However, it may be a reminder of why audiences left the teen romance dystopia behind.
Adapted from Suzanne Collins’ novel and directed by Francis Lawrence, The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes follows future Panem President Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), at the beginning of his rise to power. Set during the 10th annual Hunger Games, Snow’s youth is explored through his relationship with District 12 Tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), as he’s assigned to be her mentor,ultimately leading to a romance, which forces him to question his role in Panem’s future.
This film showcases everything you want out of a Hunger Games film as Lawrence and his screenwriters lay the groundwork for elements that the previous films explore. Through Snow, the audience gets to see the satisfying first steps in The Hunger Games evolving from a tool for punishment, to a reality show spectacle, while embedding the political themes of violence and governmental control that resonated with the series’ diehard fans. Combined with its themes, the film has enough entertaining sequences and visuals to justify its existence.
That being said, The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes will only satisfy established fans and will most likely alienate new audiences who didn’t grow up with the books or films. There’s simply too much information and exposition that’s being thrown to new viewers. Lawrence is clearly trying to be faithful to Collins’s novel, but that ultimately means the film is structured like a novel, instead of a film. Due to its pacing, the film also significantly slows down in the third act to incorporate the romance plot. Between the character study of Snow, the political evolution of The Hunger Games and the romance between him and Lucy Gray, there’s simply too much story in this film, and it’s a struggle to fully explore any of those elements, despite the long runtime.
In terms of performances, Tom Blyth truly carries the film in the lead role. He’s asked to convey a lot of mixed emotions in his portrayal as Snow, and his controlled stillness is perfect as a young man trying to play a political game. Viola Davis and Peter Dinklage (as Dr. Gaul and Casca Highbottom respectively) are also in full form as the seasoned actors of the cast. Davis in particular is deliciously wicked, while Dinklage proves again that he is no stranger to playing guilty men in a fantastical world. Meanwhile, there are moments when Zegler shines bright as Lucy Gray; she's particularly impactful during the film’s musical scenes. However, Zegler and Blyth unfortunately have very little chemistry together, failing to solidify Lucy Gray and Snow’s relationship as the emotional center of the film. In fact, an argument can be made that the true heart of the film lies with Josh Andres Rivera as Sejanus Plinth, playing out his intricate friendship with Snow. Aside from his incredible chemistry with Blyth on screen, Rivera delivers a stand out performance as he shows the guilt and pain of Plinth’s privileged past with just a look.
Despite being overstuffed, The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes still manages to fight for its place in The Hunger Games series as it is filled with great performances, effective world building and entertainment value.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is screening in cinemas from Thursday 16th November. For tickets and more info, click here.