Francis Lawrence’s (and Suzanne Collins’) ‘A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’, was just that – a ballad. The prequel adaptation of the bestselling YA dystopian trilogy ‘The Hunger Games’ lived up to every expectation little me had, and more.
Under the blanket of ridiculous outfits and dramatic hairstyles, the prequel is the epitome of what a classic dystopian story for our generation should be.
Lawrence brings to life Collins’ hellish world of Panem with chilling parallels to our own. It makes us question everything, realising that even in our own world, even when we think we are fighting for what’s right, we are usually just fighting to survive.
Tom Blyth’s portrayal of a young Coriolanus Snow very nearly makes you forget about the monstrous president he grows into, as he finds himself entangled in a love story of his own, rooted in morals, values and hope.
Such strong character development has us relating to a character we never would have before; we find ourselves sympathising with the villain before he ‘goes bad’, before he loses his charms… and his looks.
‘West Side Story’ star Rachel Ziegler plays Lucy Gray Baird, a musician whose name should have never been called at the reaping, a performer in a hunt, the antithesis to Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen. Although Zieglers country accent initially comes off as slightly too cheesy this doesn’t take away from her overall exceptional performance.
The movie is split into 3 parts, all with diverse but equally amazing soundtracks. Part 1 with an affluent ring – very fitting for the Capitol. In part 2 we get ‘The Games’, the familiar chaotic and tense hunger games soundtrack we all know and love. By the final part, we are transported back to District 12 with its raw natural chimes laced with oncoming dread.
Lawrence’s attention to detail is so excellently executed that it brings you back to the original Hunger Games in a new but recognisable way. Even down to the detail of the Katniss and Primrose flowers on Ziegler’s dress that subtly ties in original characters and really highlights the invisible string connecting both characters.
What separates it from the original series however is the lack of wit and humour effortlessly supplied by Caesar Flickerman;lthough Jason Schwartzman (Lucky Flickerman) is delightful, his jokes aren’t enough to make the film comedic.
This all feeds into the idea that the earlier games were more of a hunt as opposed to the spectacle we’ve seen so much before. Yet it must be said that whoever allowed Schwartzman to act in something other than a Wes Anderson movie is a genius.
The later part of the movie does drift away from the original novel’s plot which heavily relies on Snow’s inner thoughts – something difficult to depict on screen. But because we don’t hear this stream of consciousness, it makes it so much easier to pity him, humanising a man with no empathy.
Not often do I think a movie should be a two-parter but that was the case for this one; it is a prequel that gives us a taste of so many amazing moments but never really lets us savour them. Despite being nearly 3 hours long it tries to cover so much in such a limited amount of time.
What’s most satisfying about this though is how unsatisfying the ending is. Lack of closure and confusion haunts the audience, and is the very thing that haunts Snow later down the line.
All in all, everything from the casting and the costumes down to the set and music was outstanding…oh and there’s magic in it too.
This review perfectly captures my feelings towards to film – as a fellow lover of the books I can agree on all points made. And fantastic point about the soundtrack, I hadn’t noticed the distinct music for the distinct sections! I hope you write more pieces like this is the future