The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes review
Tom Blynth and Rachel Zeigler in TBSOS (Lionsgate)
The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (TBSOS) is set 65 years before the original Hunger Games movies starring Jennifer Lawerence and Josh Hutcherson; the prequel follows Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) through his early life as a child, mentor and peacekeeper. TBSOS also features upcoming actress Rachel Zegler, who plays singer Lucy Grey Bird, the female tribute from District 12 for the 10th annual Hunger Games.
The movie follows Blyth’s Snow as he mentors Zegler’s Bird for the Hunger Games. Throughout this tale, plenty of action, romance, suspense and betrayal make the movie accessible to numerous audiences.
Blyth and Zegler deliver beautiful performances that would make Suzanne Collins (the author of the Hunger Games books) proud. The pair are joined by award-winning actress Viola Davis, who plays the cruel genius Dr Volumnia Gaul and Peter Dinklage as Dean Casca Highbottom. Both actors showcase their experience through their roles as both characters were executed with excellent performances that evoke a range of emotions within the audience.
Along with the four main actors in the movie, the supporting cast adds critical and emotional performances that help tell the story of Snow’s rise to power. Hunter Schafer’s Tigris Snow and Sejanus Plinth, played by Josh Andrés Rivera, deliver emotional and shattering performances, with fans reaching for their tissues and covering their eyes. Another standout in the supporting cast is Sofia Sanchez, who plays Wovey, another tribute in the Hunger Games. Sanchez’s performance proves that anything is possible, no matter the challenges one may face. She delivered yet another powerful performance that brought the audience to tears.
Furthermore, the music used throughout the movie assisted in the deliverance of the beautiful film. With performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Rachel Zegler, the Baltic House Orchestra and more, it is no wonder that the music within the film is riveting while also taking the audience on a journey. Zegler demonstrated her extraordinary talent by doing all her performances live on set, which made the singing in the movie feel more authentic and genuine. James Newton Howard, an American composer and music producer, managed to use the music in a captivating way that not only added to the film’s impact but also told a story of their own.
Finally, Jo Willems, an award-winning cinematographer, shows his prowess as the movie progresses. There are scenes in the film which are jaw-droppingly beautiful and show why Willems has won two awards in his career. Willem’s use of different shots makes the whole experience of the movie more immersive and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.
The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a great addition to the already successful franchise and has many fans leaving the cinema wanting more, eager to see what comes next in The Hunger Games story. As a result of the phenomenal acting, emotional music and captivating cinematography, TBSOS will be an addition to the Hunger Games franchise that both fans and Collins will be proud of.