THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES, US, 2023. Starring Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Fionnula Flanagan, Hunter Schafer, Burn Gorman, Josh Andres Rivera. Directed by Francis Lawrence. 157 minutes, Rated M (Mature themes and violence)
Suzanne Collins reached out to the Young Adult audience with her Hunger Games avidly and widely read novels. And the Young Adult audience reached out to the film versions. So much so, that there were four Hunger Games films, showcases for Jennifer Lawrence (who, in fact, it already won an Oscar for The Silver Linings Playbook) and her subsequent career. There was also Josh Hutcherson the adult cast included Donald Sutherland as the older Coriolanus Snow, Elizabeth Banks and Stanley Tucci. So the question arises, how did it take so long to bring this prequel story to the screen?
Ideally, the reviews to be read should be those of the target audience – appreciative Young Adults. They can tell us which characters are credible, which characters they could identify with, what of this presentation of the Games themselves, the power-hungry authoritarian leaders, the young leads – and Coriolanus Snow and his early years. But, this is a review by an Old Adult who admits to enjoying the film, making the comparisons with the earlier films, but very much interested in the character, development and crises, of Coriolanus Snow. (And the satisfaction, at the very end, of hearing a brief comment with the voice of Sutherland.)
The success of this film depends on the performance by Blyth as the young Coriolanus – and he acquits himself well. At first, he is a product of this totalitarian regime, loyal, and ready to be a mentor, especially to the annual tributes from the Districts who have been chosen to participate in the gladiatorial, to-the-death, Hunger Games. Coriolanus is given a family background, with a devoted grandmother (a good cameo by Flanagan) and sympathetic cousin (Schafer).
As regards the hierarchy this time, there is the controller and manager of the Hunger Games Dr Volumnia Gaul (Davis), more than sinister in appearance and voice. There is also Dean Casca Highbottom (Dinklage), menacing in his way, but ultimately more sympathetic. And, for the games themselves, there is the slick compere, enthusiasm-rouser, callous Lucky Flickerman (Schwartzman).
The first part of the film sets up the characters. There are the mentors in their uniforms, loyal to the state, the group of tributes manacled and harassed, but one of them, Lucy Gray Baird (Zegler), wearing a beautiful dress from her mother, singing and attracting the attention of Coriolanus as well as of the Games audiences.
The second part of the film shows the Games themselves, cruel and bloodthirsty. Coriolanus is intrigued by Lucy Gray, even breaking the rules to help her.
The third part of the film takes place in District 12. This will be the test for Coriolanus. While we know his future, this film enables us to understand the steps on the road to that position.
Roadshow
Released 16 November