Songbirds and Snakes: An Amazing yet Incomplete Prequel
In 2008, author Suzanne Collins released a young adult novel set in a dystopian North America about a young woman who volunteers in the country's annual battle royale death match to save her sister from certain death. The Hunger Games became an instant success and was universally praised for its captivating protagonist, emotional story, solid character development and thought-provoking themes. The book was followed by two sequels that similar success resulting in over 100 million copies sold worldwide and 77 award wins
In 2012, Lionsgate released a film adaptation of the first book starring Jennifer Lawrence as series protagonist Katniss Everdeen. The film proved to be just as successful as it's source material as did the following three installments. To this day, the series is ranked as the 21st most successful film franchise of all time having grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide and garnered positive reception from critics and audiences alike.
However, Collins wasn't done with the world of Panem just yet. On May 19th 2020, she released a prequel novel titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Set 64 years before the events of The Hunger Games, the book served as an origin story for the series' overarching antagonist President Coriolanus Snow, previously portrayed in the films by Donald Sutherland. Despite having a virtual release due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Songbirds and Snakes was another successful addition to the franchise with over 3.5 million copies sold worldwide despite mixed reviews from critics.
Shortly after the book's release, Lionsgate confirmed that a film adaptation was in the works with Francis Lawrence returning to direct along with Collins serving as an executive producer and writing the screenplay with Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt. Combined with a cast of multiple acclaimed actors, anticipation among fans couldn't have been higher.
Taking place 10 years after the First Rebellion between the Capitol and the districts, the story follows an 18-year-old Snow, played by Tom Blyth, as he prepares to become a mentor in the 10th annual Hunger Games. Despite being given the humiliating task of mentoring District 12's female tribute, Lucy Gray Baird, played by Rachel Zegler, Snow quickly realizes there's more to her than meets the eye. With his future hanging in the balance, Snow teams up with Baird to ensure her survival and restore his family's honor by any means necessary.
Lawrence expressed regret for splitting the Hunger Games' finale, Mockingjay, into two parts due to backlash from critics and audiences and was determined to keep Songbirds and Snakes a single film. Despite being the longest movie in the series, I personally felt that Songbirds and Snakes would’ve benefited from being split in two. The story is excellently crafted and follows the book's main points to the letter, albeit with a few minor alterations. However, once the third act began, the pacing accelerated to the point where it felt like the movie was forced to wrap itself up before it could truly finish. As a result, several supporting characters and critical moments were either trivialized or outright ignored. But that didn't stop me from enjoying the movie's many strengths.
When it came to casting, the filmmakers couldn't have picked better actors to portray these characters. From Viola Davis as the devious Head Gamemaker Dr. Volumnia Gaul to Josh Andrés Rivera as district sympathizer Sejanus Plinth, everyone that was cast understood the assignment and delivered with flying colors. None more so than Blyth and Zegler. From small changes in their facial expressions to the emotions in their voices, both actors gave 150 percent with their performances. Every decision they made felt true to their characters and their chemistry with each other only amplified their already exceptional efforts.
The music was another major highlight for Songbirds and Snakes. James Newton Howard put his heart and soul into composing to the score and it clearly shows. Every note in every scene conveys so much that audiences are guaranteed feel every emotion under the sun regardless of what's happening. Zegler, who previously sang in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of West Side Story, also lent her angelic vocals to the film's musical numbers and exceeded all expectations. From the haunting rendition of The Hanging Tree to the defiant Nothing You Can Take From Me, Zegler ensured that audiences would remember her voice for years to come.
Despite an underdeveloped and rushed third act, Songbirds and Snakes proves be a worthy addition to the Hunger Games franchise. The movie's cast, music and story help it shine in all the right ways while telling a haunting and suspenseful origin of the man who would become the ruthless dictator fans love to hate. Regardless of their stance on the series, I'm certain that everyone who watches it will find something to enjoy. Snow always lands on top.
