The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes offers viewers and fans of the series a fresh yet familiar tale as they follow the journey of Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) and his rise to power. Released in local cinemas on Nov. 17, this new installment in the Hunger Games film series is a bittersweet tale that’s both alluring and deadly. 

Set around 60 years before the events of The Hunger Games, viewers come to know of Coriolanus Snow, a teenager who hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father who died during the war. With his family in financial ruin and being the sole breadwinner, Snow must navigate being a first-time mentor for the games as he’s assigned to mentor the female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). 

With its brief look into early Panem, the movie brings curiosity into the first few years of the Hunger Games. From the familial relationship Tigris (Hunter Schafer) had with her cousin to the state of District 12 back then, the movie gives a novel take on this universe people have admired. But this doesn’t mean that Coriolanus is worth admiring and rooting for as a person in this movie. Instead, viewers will witness—and perhaps better understand—the motives that turned him into the tyrannical president of Panem most people are familiar with. 

Reaping a new cast and narrative

Blyth does justice as the young Coriolanus Snow as he portrays the complexities of his character with the right amount of elegance and eeriness. One can notice the development of Coriolanus’ initial ambition to descend into a power-hungry figure in the movie. 

For Zegler, she easily slips into the vivacious Lucy Gray Baird with not only her musical abilities, but also her spunky personality that has also drawn audiences in. Additionally, some scene stealers in the movie include Tigris with her fashionable looks, Dr. Volumnia Gaul’s (Viola Davis) unnerving presence, and Lucky Flickerman’s (Jason Schwartzman) upbeat personality.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes a more mature approach with its story. While most people are familiar with the battle royale and budding romance in the original franchise, this movie highlights the concepts of political power dynamics and human morality. This includes Dean Casca Highbottom’s (Peter Dinklage) role as the creator of the games which has made him desensitized to it. Another notable character is Sejanus Plinth (Josh Andres Rivera) who struggles with his belief in pacifism despite his family’s role in the war. 

One can also appreciate the world-building this story had to offer as it gave audiences a better glimpse of Panem’s beginning system of government, the making of the games, and how it affected the Capitol and the districts. From the makeshift gladiator arena to the early use of donation drones from sponsors, the details to visualize the 10th annual Hunger Games were quite on point.

Paying homage to its predecessors

Moreover, the movie outlined how Snow had been intertwined with District 12 ever since his youth. Viewers will come to appreciate the nods this prequel had towards the original story of The Hunger Games with some mentions of iconic names and songs familiar to the original series. This shows how connected Coriolanus is with the budding revolution. 

Visually, the movie gives a vintage and nostalgic feel that truly immerses viewers in the early days of the games. With the lack of advanced technologies and folk fashion outfits of the district citizens, audiences certainly traveled back to the birth of Panem. Similarly, these games were captured in their raw harshness and brutality, depicting how challenging it was for both Capitol and district citizens to stomach the games in the first couple of years. 

For its musical score and sound design, the movie delivers catchy and impactful music that whisks away listeners to District 12. From American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo’s “Can’t Catch Me Now” to Zegler’s version of “The Hanging Tree,” there are several tunes worth listening to as they unravel further the stories of Panem.

While The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes gives a thrilling experience and captivating romance between Coriolanus and Lucy, the movie does fall in terms of its pacing as it tries to capture Coriolanus’ journey from the 10th Hunger Games to his time as a soldier in District 12 in less than three hours. The movie rushes in depicting the games and getting to know the other tributes which doesn’t help in making them memorable to audiences. 

Despite that, the movie still cements itself as a strong addition in The Hunger Games franchise. While this prequel is vastly different from its predecessors of the main series, it gives viewers a different view of the games. Most people know of Katniss Everdeen as a fighter who’s forced to perform for the Capitol while for Lucy Gray Baird, she’s a performer forced to fight. This is an interesting contrast to witness as it shows both the similarities and differences of those two heroines within The Hunger Games universe.

Crowning a winning story

Overall, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes still shoots right through the hearts of avid fans of the franchise. The movie not only expands the lore of The Hunger Games universe but also unravels the enigmatic layers of a young Coriolanus Snow. This prequel becomes a backdrop for a broader social commentary on the cost of ambition, the consequences of unchecked power, and the origins of the oppressive regime that defines the later Hunger Games. 

Whether you’re a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer to the world of Panem, this film is a must-watch for its close-to-reality socio-political setting and intriguing premise. While its pacing could still use some work, it’s still worth spending your time on for its interesting perspectives and immersive storytelling.  

You can catch The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in local cinemas near you.