Film Review - "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes"

Listen for brevity's sake, I'm just going to refer to this film as Songbirds & Snakes going forward...

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Directed by Francis Lawrence

Starring Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, and Viola Davis

I would never call myself a Hunger Games fan. I never read the books, but I hopped on the trend train, and saw all the films in theaters. I reasonably enjoyed them. It's never been a franchise I've had a serious desire to revisit, although I did rewatch them all in anticipation of this film. Needless to say, it feels about eight-ten years too late for a Hunger Games prequel doesn't it?

Well surprise, surprise, because Songbirds & Snakes is not only a very good film, it's arguably one of the best films of the franchise. Ironic, because one might say, the odds weren't ever in its favor...please don't go...

Set thirteen years after the Rebellion in the nation of Panem, a young Coriolanus Snow (Blyth) and his once wealthy family are now struggling to make ends meet in the Capitol. As the tenth annual Hunger Games approaches, the creator of the games, Dean Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage) seeks to make it more enticing, and entertaining for those watching. In doing so, Highbottom assigns Snow and other Capitol Academy students to be mentors to the tributes (What Haymitch was to Katniss and Peeta).

Snow is assigned to the female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler). As the Hunger Games approach, Snow and Lucy grow closer, as he promises to keep her alive, while also scheming to restore glory to his family name. 

This film, this whole series could make for a fascinating study on how media is used as a tool in both politics and war. Songbirds & Snakes does wondrous world-building, showing The Hunger Games in its infancy. A time when it was raw, brutal, and just plain torture. Its gripping and gets your heart pumping. It's probably the most compelling the Hunger Games have ever been in...well, The Hunger Games.

We didn't need an origin story for President Snow but it's a damn good one, seeing what lines a character must cross to go from hero to villain. It's an emotional merry-go-round because you root for the guy...but in the end you know he's going to become President Snow. It's almost-Almost, like Arthur Fleck's journey in Joker, but significantly more nuanced.

This is in credit to both to the script, and actor Tom Blyth, who gives a great performance as young Snow. There's real charm in his performance, but you see the wickedness brewing beneath the surface. He has wonderful chemistry with Zegler's Lucy Gray, who is also incredibly charming in this film. You really rally behind both of them and believe in their relationship. Additionally, the supporting cast is filled with talent. Peter Dinklage is at his usual best as Dean Highbottom. Viola Davis is deliciously menacing and unhinged as Head Gamemaker Dr. Gaul. Josh Andres' Rivera gives it his all as Snow's classmate and friend Sejanis Plinth. Hunter Schafer is endearing, and a bright light in a dark world as Tigris Snow, Coriolanus's cousin (Who was the tiger lady in Mockingjay - Part 2. Who knew?). Finally, Jason Schwartzman is delightful as Lucky Flickerman.

One thing I've come to notice from this series is James Newton Howard's score for them is incredible, and Songbird and Snakes is no exception. One thing that unfortunately was not incredible in this film was the pacing when it comes to the third act (or Part 3 as the subtitles label them). The film is packed with such adrenaline, that when we enter this part of the film it almost grounds to a halt. Bizarrely, the climax also feels rushed, and not completely satisfying.

That said, Songbirds & Snakes is that rare prequel that lives up to its predecessors, and in this case even eclipses some of them. It's thrilling, thought-provoking, and filled with wonderful performances. It's one of the biggest surprises at the movie theaters this year. Again, what are the odds? (Please don't leave me.)