HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES (2023)
Tagline: You're invited to return to the games.
(Drama, Action, Tons Of Snakes and Birds) [PG-13]
Nothing you can take from me was ever worth keeping.
Set 64 years before THE HUNGER GAMES, this is the story of Coriolanus Snow, years before he would eventually become President of Panem. His family is basically starving after the death of his father, who is essentially the pioneer of The Hunger Games. Coriolanus really needs to get into a more prominent role in society, but just as it looks like he is prime to win a sought-after prize, the usual procedure is changed by Dean Casca Highbottom who forces those who want this high honor to become mentors to the participants in The Hunger Games. Coriolanus is assigned to Lucy Gray Baird from the subjugated District 12.
First off, if you walk into this movie not expecting a lot of terrible singing, then I’m sorry. That is what is going on here. Even if you like folk music, the torture you will endure here if you like good singing is beyond definition. I could easily see her getting kicked off “The Voice” on day one for every song but maybe one that she sings in this. Do not expect the wonderful singing she did in WEST SIDE STORY, because that isn’t what is going on here.
When it comes to pacing the setup is a lot like the original HUNGER GAMES, but the actual Hunger Games are not nearly as long as they are in the first film. In fact, they are pretty much an afterthought that takes up maybe 37 minutes of the movie's 2 hours and 37 minutes run time. If you read the book you probably know this is far more of a “Let’s see who the creepiest person in charge is” type story. For the most part, it works. I am not going to lie. I was actually intrigued by most of this story, but there is one scene where it’s pretty clear things have gone haywire and the rest of the film really drives that home.
Acting-wise Rachel Zegler (WEST SIDE STORY) is pretty rough as Lucy Gray. Perhaps they asked her to play the part that way? I did find her to be kind, but unapproachable which doesn’t really draw you into caring about her. She seems out of her depth on this one because nearly everyone else shined more than she did. They also made her play the role with an accent that was super annoying even if normally you like that type of accent. Tom Blyth (ROBIN HOOD) is solid, but his chemistry with Rachel is awkward at times and non-existent at others. Blyth does accomplish the intensity you would expect from a young President Snow. Josh Andrés Rivera (WEST SIDE STORY) is very good as Senjanus. I thought Peter Dinklage (PIXELS) was okay as Dean Casca Highbottom, but Viola Davis (THE SUICIDE SQUAD) steals the show as Dr. Volumnia Gaul and is by far the most interesting character. Anyone know about how that character got so jaded, because wow. Who put 50 boxes of wicked in her pantry?
This thing is gloriously executed and the direction is outstanding. I have zero complaints about the production overall and what we get is an amazing cinematic experience. What we do not get is the interesting “Hunger Games” game settings that we got in the other films. This is basically pretty boring in the creativity department, but it does deliver on its namesake. There is a songbird, lots of other birds, and just a bazillion snakes. It’s out of control.
I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I won’t say too much else. The last hour definitely drags after a fantastic build-up for the most part.
Overall this is a decent entry in the series, but it’s the 2nd worst of the five films. I have to say I thought that it surpassed THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART I.
This one gets a 4 out of 7. I will probably buy it just to have it and turn the sound off for the singing parts. It never achieves the magic of the initial series.
GRAPHICS ARE THE PROPERTY OF COLOR FORCE AND ARE USED FOR REVIEW PURPOSES ONLY.
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