“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” a Great Predecessor to a Great Series

“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is a worthwhile prequel to the “Hunger Games” series of movies. It stays on par with the other four movies and adds depth to the main villain of the series.

Based on the book of the same name by Susanne Collins, the movie follows an 18 year old Coriolanus Snow many decades before the original series as he mentors Lucy Gray Baird through the tenth annual Hunger Games. He must contend with the other mentors, tributes, and even himself to come out on top.

As it is a prequel none of the characters except for a select few from the original series show up in the movie, but even without them it creates a great cast of interesting characters. The games are also, somehow, even more depraved than in the original movies, this is because they aren’t spectacles to be seen by the public yet. This means that many of the hallmarks of the Hunger Games like the Victory Tour aren’t present, but just like the characters there are interesting alternatives.

All the performances are very good. Tom Blyth plays Snow exceptionally well because he is great at hiding his intentions, it also helps that we don’t hear his inner monologue unlike in the book. Rachel Zegler is also very good as Lucy Gray Baird. She portrays the emotions that Lucy is going through as a tribute just as well Jennifer Lawrence did for Katniss. Jason Schwartzman is also quite funny as Lucky Flickerman, the host of the Hunger Games.

The movie definitely lives up to the word “ballad” throughout its 158 minute run time with the many original songs present in the movie. Rachel Zegler gives amazing performances sung live on set for each and every one of them.

“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is a worthy predecessor to the story of the original series and adds amazing depth to an already fleshed out character in Coriolanus Snow. Definitely an easy recommendation, especially for fans of the series who haven’t already read the book. 

Directed by Francis Lawrence

Starring: Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Viola Davis, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés, Jason Schwartzman, Peter Dinklage

Rated PG-13

Runtime: 158 minutes
My Rating: ★★★★