The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakestakes audiences back to dystopian Panem in ableak and distressingly violentprequel. The origin of villain Coriolanus Snow is a dark journey of desperate ambition evolving to utter ruthlessness. Cunning and deception become vital tools for survival in a murderous hellscape of fiendish oppressors. Where glimmers of love, mercy, and kindness are easily snuffed by systematic barbarism. The film enthralls until losing considerable steam in a prolonged third act. It never regains climactic footing while trying to explore a deeper relationship between wary protagonists.
In the war-ravaged Capitol, young Coriolanus (Dexter Sol Ansell) and his cousin Tigris (Rosa Gotzler) search for food amid gunfire and wreckage. They recoil in horror at a starving man’s last resort. A decade later, in their cramped apartment, Coryo (Tom Blyth) gets ready for an important ceremony. Tigris (Hunter Schafer) has mended his father’s white shirt for an occasion that will change their fortunes. Coryo’s years of study and hard work at the Academy are about to pay off. He’s a shoo-in to win the distinguished Plinth Prize.
Coryo gathers with his wealthy and elitist classmates for the announcement. He’s strangely despised by Dean Highbottom (Peter Dinklage) but hopes merit will prevail over personal grudges. Coryo’s shattered to learn the Plinth Prize has an awful new requirement. Ratings for the Hunger Games are plummeting. Head gamemaker Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis) decrees that the Academy’s students will mentor the District’s tributes for its 10th anniversary. Viewers need compelling entertainment to keep a bloody tradition alive. It doesn’t matter whose tribute wins. The prize will go to the student who gets the best performance.
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The Dark Origins of Coriolanus Snow
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman (Jason Schwartzman), weatherman, amateur magician, and TV host of the games drums up excitement for the Reaping. Coryo watches nervously as solemn district youth are chosen for the battle royale. A startling act of defiance from District 12 stuns everyone. Lucy Gray (Rachel Zegler) grabs the microphone after being beaten. Her beautiful song soars across the airwaves as a thundering condemnation. Coryo gasps as Lucky reveals the name of his courageous tribute.
Director Francis Lawrence(Constantine, I Am Legend) uses superb production values to frame a familiar setting at a nascent stage. His fourth film in theHunger Gamesfranchise establishes the roots of a fascist society with betrayal as the path to success. The impoverished Coryo wants to reclaim his cruel father’s honor, status, and riches. Diligence has not achieved the expected results.
An early scene with the vile Dr. Gaul has her questioning Coryo’s understanding of the games. What purpose do they serve? Why must the games continue? She sees a flicker of malicious capability that requires stoking. Weakness cannot be tolerated, or it spreads like an infectious disease. Power ensures supremacy. Coryo’s efforts to help Lucy become a puzzle of contradictions. She’s his ticket to a better life, but is it worth sacrificing everything to save her?
Zegler flirted with stardom as Maria inSpielberg’sWest Side Story. She catapults to the A-list as an indomitable crooner with a sassy Southern accent. Lucy is not a bow and arrow badass like Katniss Everdeen. She’s petite and feminine but by no means delicate. Her strengths lie in an irrepressible spirit, booming vocal range, and commanding stage presence. Coryo is keenly aware that these values are key to her winning the games. She must become a TV darling while avoiding death from every corner. Lucy captivates hearts. He must figure out a way to keep hers beating.
Rachel Zegler Shines as Lucy Gray
The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesis vastly darker than the previous films. Lawrence pulls no punches illustrating the games' horrific reality. Scenes of children bludgeoning, poisoning, and stabbing each other like savage gladiators strikes a nerve. Several disturbing surprises add to the unrelenting carnage. The current state of world affairs seeped into my narrative comprehension. It’s hard not to draw a visual parallel to the fates of countless innocent kids running and hiding for their lives overseas. It’s an unwelcome association that may hinder the film’s artistic intent.
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The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesis told in three parts over a somewhat labored two hours and 45 minute runtime. Each chapter could have been its own film. Lawrence is epic on all fronts, but peaks too early. The games' aftermath dilutes the dramatic effectiveness of the first two acts. Further exposition is necessary to build lore for the Katniss storyline. But the finale’s lack of tension feels like a letdown to Blyth and Zegler’s chemistry.
Fans will be enamored by the new leads. Zegler’s singing achieves its goal as a musical accompaniment to tyranny. Blyth falls hard but never loses sight of his mission. The franchise continues with searing brutality. It’s a tough pill to swallow at times, but there’s no sugarcoatingthemes of classismand caste subjugation.
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakesis a production of Color Force, Good Universe, and Lions Gate Films. It will be released theatrically on November 17th fromLionsgate.
