The wildly successful book trilogy turned movie series, “The Hunger Games,” captured the attention of teens and adults alike. After being a cultural phenomenon in the 2010’s, a new generation of fans have emerged, as the prequel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” was released earlier this year.
While long-term “Hunger Games” fans are excited for the revival of their favorite series, they are also anxious. Since “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” takes place in a different era with a whole new cast of characters, some wonder if this movie will be able to replicate the similar charm found in the originals or miss its target completely.
After watching the movie in theaters, I have to say that there are some subtle technical details in “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” that set it apart from the original series. This being said, it does not mean that “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” can’t hold its own, in fact I think it is a welcome addition to the franchise.
The original “Hunger Games” series rocked the world of young adult fiction with its innovative world and haunting plot. The movies were able to capture what made the books so brilliant by adding elements only a visual piece of media can. Readers were able to finally see both the dark, dystopian world of Panem come to life on the big screen.
In “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” viewers are introduced to a new era of Panem, 64 years before the beginning of the original story. Although it is a prequel, it still takes place many years from the present day. The retro clothing of the characters combined with the futuristic technology incorporated into the city makes the movie feel like the past and future at the same time, making the setting feel both like another world, yet eerily familiar.
“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” also introduces viewers to a new cast of characters. But just like the setting, something about the cast gives viewers a sense of deja vu. The movie’s protagonist (or antagonist, depending on your point of view) is a familiar character…President Snow. President Snow, who was the main villain in the original series, is back, only this time much younger and without his presidential title. Coriolanus Snow, played by Tom Blyth, is much different from his mysterious, reserved character in the originals. In this movie, he is desperate and impulsive, fighting to rise up the ranks in the capital and restore his family name. Although his personality change might come across as a shock, it is only natural he acts this way. As a young man, he lacks the political power and decades of experience he is known for in the original series. He has yet to become President Snow, for now he is just Coriolanus. Viewers are introduced to a softer side of the character through Snow’s loved ones, his family, best friend, and love interest. Through his actions, it is clear that he cares deeply for these people. He skips breakfast so his grandmother can eat, he compliments his cousin on a shirt she made for him, and he even risks punishment to save the girl he loves. It’s moments like these that make viewers think, “how could this character be the villain?” However, the Snow we are all familiar with makes his appearance often. In “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” Snow manipulates his loved ones for his own personal gain, even if it means their downfall. While watching you can’t help but wonder if all the sacrifices he made for his family and friends were really for his own benefit all along.
“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” breaks your guard down, before gut punching you at the end. There were scenes that made you audibly gasp. A friend of mine described the movie as “an emotional roller coaster” on the drive home from the theater.
With the exception of a few minor characters, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is the biggest movie many of these actors have ever been in. However, every cast member acts with skills beyond their years.
One of the most defining traits of main character Lucy Gray Baird, played by actress Rachel Zeglar, is her singing talent. Rachel Zeglar’s voice was one of the highlights of the movie, you wanted to rewind the movie just to listen to her again.
“I added a few of the songs she sang to my playlist,” one viewer said.
It wasn’t just the talent of the actors that improved the movie, it was their ages. What makes the concept of the Hunger Games so morbid is that the people fighting to their death are exclusively children. It is a crucial part of the series, and yet, this didn’t translate well in the originals. Although Jennifer Lawrence was a great choice for Katniss, she definitely does not look 16. With the exception of Rue, most of the “children” in the Hunger Games looked 18 at the very least. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” doesn’t shy away from the children aspect. All of the characters look like kids. Combined with how young the actors looked, many of the characters had physical disabilities, such as a missing arm or eye. This pairing made the Hunger Games feel truly hopeless and unfair, which is exactly how it is meant to be.
Although there were many things to love about “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” I would argue that it lacks a certain je nais sais quois that the original movies had. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reason, but there are a few things that might have contributed to it. For starters, most of the scenes in the original movies were shot with a wobbly camera. The camera wobbles slightly during personal scenes and shakes more violently during intense scenes. It immerses the viewers in the movie, almost like watching a documentary. In contrast, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is shot in a more traditional way. It feels professional, which loses some of the intimacy the first movies had. The style difference disconnects the originals and the prequel in a subtle way.
Another difference was the makeup for the leading actresses. Jennifer Lawrence wears extremely subtle makeup for most of the movie, it looks like she is wearing nothing at all. This makes sense since Katniss, who is from district 12, has no money for makeup and she is usually in the wilderness. The only scenes where she wears heavy noticeable makeup was during formal scenes, such as televised interviews or parties. Lucy Gray, much like Katniss, is supposed to be living in poverty. She would theoretically have no money for food, let alone makeup. However, you can always tell that Rachel Zeglar has some makeup on. In some scenes she has obvious eyeshadow and eyeliner when there’s no reason for it. One scene in particular, Zeglar is seen with perfect makeup right after swimming in a lake. This detail breaks the immersion, and viewers are reminded that you are, in fact, watching a movie. The original “The Hunger Games” pulls you in, and you lose yourself in the plot. You’re invested right until the credits roll. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” fails to do this.
Perhaps it was the subtle details or perhaps it was simply nostalgia, but “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” doesn’t quite live up to its predecessors. However, this doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great movie. The plot was exciting and you either loved the characters or loved to hate them. The talented cast and the twists and turns of the plot made for a thrilling viewing experience, but at the end of the day, the original “The Hunger Games” series reigns supreme.
