“But I’m in the trees/ in the breeze/ my footsteps on the ground/ you see my face in every place…” including Apple Cinemas of Waterbury waiting patiently for the silver screen to turn on. The anticipation for the prequel to the famous Hunger Games series has been building up for months. Now weeks after its release, the world (and myself) cannot get enough of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Whether it’s the music, the plot (Tom Blyth as young President Snow), or simply the happiness and nostalgia a new movie release brings, I know for sure, that this is not a movie you do not want to miss.
As a kid I was very into reading. I read Harry Potter at eight and breezed through Twilight at twelve. But one fateful day, in the Norwich Goodwill while visiting my dad, my life would bforever changed. I picked up the tattered book set titled The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and the rest was history. I read all three books, and then read them again and again. The rule was, I had to read the books before I saw the movies. And when the time came, I sat on the couch with that childlike innocence and watched as Katniss came to life in front of me. I saw Peeta fall in love. I watched Katniss hold Rue, and sing to her, in a way I couldn’t have even imagined in the book. So when I heard that this movie was coming out I was beyond excited to be in attendance.
The Hunger Games franchise is notable for its near-perfect casting: Jenifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mallark. Headlining this film was Tom Blyth, British sensation as a young Coriolanus Snow, and Rachel Zegler as the illusive Lucy Gray Baird. As proven before with Tom Holland as Spiderman and even Andrew Garfield playing the same role, the internet goes crazy for a British man sporting an American accent. Not only did two young heartthrobs join the production, but they starred alongside Peter Dinkledge as Dean Casca Highbottom (Game of Thrones) and Viola Davis as Dr. V olumnia Gaul (The Help). The film also features a talented supporting cast, like Euphoria’ s Hunter Schaffer as Tigris Snow and Josh Andres Rivera as Sejanus Plinth.
The movie following in the footsteps of its predecessor, tells the story of a familiar figure in The Hunger Games franchise, President Coriolanus Snow. Following the events of the tenth annual Hunger Games, Coriolanus is given a tribute to mentor and assist in her winning of the Hunger Games. From there, Lucy Gray and Coriolanus become close, and slowly begin to fall for each other.
Throughout the movie, there are scenes that made me question why I hated Snow so much. Blyth did an amazing job at portraying him as both a good person, that makes you question his actions later. This portrayal is something you didn’t see in the first four movies.. His humanity is proven through his actions, whether it is calling his grandma “grandnan” and worrying about paying rent so his family can stay in their home, or saving Lucy Gray in the arena, despite his distaste for true feelings of love. This complex character was once all hate. He plays both sides of the character well; when he is speaking to his family you can practically feel and see his pride and love towards them. And in contrast towards the end of the movie, a viewer is upset when he betrays everyone he loves for his personal success and gain.
Not only does Blyth do an amazing job, but Zegler comes out of the gate with a show stopping performance, as her character sings at the repeating. Zegler characterized Lucy Gray Baird perfectly, even adding an accent to her character. Lucy Gray is the tribute from District 12 and according to the map of the districts, in modern day America that would be North Carolina. Zegler speaks in the southern drawl in every line, which gives the true impression that they are mountain people. Lucy Gray is a singer, a member of “The Covey”, she is often credited for singing her way out of situations. Those actions can be seen at the Reaping, in the arena and even after she has won the games. Zegler stated that every single scene in which she was singing she sang in real time. Recently starring in Steven Spielberg’s rendition of West Side Story, Zegler portrays her talent for both acting and singing. Which does not fail to shine through in every scene in which she sings. Her powerful voice is lined with undertones of emotion, which evokes strong feelings from the viewer.
The production quality in the movie is also a main contributing factor for its wild success. There is no denying that with time, the set, and camera qualities improve. From The Hunger Games, the quality of the camera, and even the CGI was a little sloppy. As the series progresses there is a more noticeable divergence between quality. Mockingjay Part 2, had the best quality up until the most recent release. The graphics seemed more realistic. Bombings and explosions made the screen light up. You could see the inside of the buildings which caused a more personal connection to the characters on the screen. When The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes came out in theaters, the camera quality was mind blowing. They had amped up the sound, instead of being muffled and quiet at some points, the explosions shook me to my core, and made me jump out of my seat. The set for this arena was more real and life-like, the columns of the building had texture, as compared to the arena in Catching Fire, and the beach they were laying on. But in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes when Coriolanus becomes a Peacekeeper in District 12, he approaches the town in which the first two movies are set in, the sets are the same. But you slowly become more intune with the inner workings of 12, including the Hub, where Coriolanus meets Lucy Gray once more.
If you are looking for a star studded cast, and great acting, look no further. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, will fill all of those needs, and then some. And it is sure to put you right back into your Hunger Games era.
