THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES

A prequel to the behemoth YA Dystopian action films, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes follows future series antagonist Coriolanus Snow - here played by Tom Blyth - and charts his early involvement in The Hunger Games.

Selected as one of the first ever mentors he must make District 12’s scrappy underdog Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) into a champion in order to win the plinth prize, and pull his family out of poverty.

Those who are more familiar with the series than me - I’ve seen most of the previous entries, but cannot profess to remember a huge amount about any of them - may be able to take more from Coriolanus’ development, and match this with his future self, but as a prequel this is still an enjoyable action thriller for new comers as well as fans.

While there are the occasional reference to future films, and will give long term fans more background on a character they already know. this can still act as an entry point to the series for newbies, who can then go back and enjoy the original tetralogy. 

It is a film that can work for anyone, regardless of background knowledge, and this is about as big a compliment that I can give a prequel.

A somewhat controversial figure in Hollywood at the minute, Zegler is excellent as Lucy Gray, and is easily the films most memorable, and marketable, performer. The fear, barely hidden by her initial bravado, is expertly portrayed - even if her accent does slip on a couple of occasions - and her singing voice takes musical numbers that could feel contrived and turns them into some of the most powerful moments of the film.

The movie itself is set up into three chapters.

Its first shows the build up to the games. Coriolanus adjusting to his new role as mentor, and Lucy Gray to hers as tribute. It does an excellent job in rebuilding the world for the new time period, and introducing the audience to its characters.

As well as meeting Coriolanus and Lucy Gray, we also meet one of the films other standouts in Peter Dinklage’s Casca Highbottom. Dinklage oozes contempt for our films lead, but also seemingly for the Games themselves, and his backstory being peeled away is one of the greatest joys of the film.

Its second chapter takes us to the game itself. The arena here more basic that what we have seen before, reflecting the fact that it is relatively early days for the games. This chapter is The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes at its best. The action is really well done, and Coriolanus’ increasing influence on gamemaker Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis), and the games themselves, is fun to watch.

Davis does well to make Gaul an enjoyable screen presence. She is definitely on the far end of what will work within the film, but Davis’ charm stops her from tipping over the edge. 

The final chapter is, however, where the film missteps. While the ending of the game feels like a natural end point to the film, chapter three then takes us on an exploration of how the characters experience the after effects of them. 

While there may be fun here for fans looking to further see how Coriolanus here turns into the Coriolanus of the original films, it feels unnecessarily long. There are, perhaps, some important, and at times impactful, plot points, but it takes a long time get there.

It’s ending is satisfying, especially the resolution of Highbottoms story, but I can’t help feel that is squanders the momentum that was built up in its second act.

Overall though The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a really enjoyable entry into a franchise most would have thought was finished. Whether there will be any future films is up in the air, but this is a one that will likely entertain new fans and old.