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The prequel of one of the most loved franchise, The Hunger Games, revolves around the relationship of an ambitious Academy mentor (Tom Blyth) and a daring Hunger Games tribute (Rachel Zegler).
The chemistry between the two is intense, charged yet a strange sort of a game of belief, trust and understanding. It beautifully creates the arc of an endangered, even forbidden in some ways, love story amidst the push and pulll of dictatorial politics and bloodshed.
While Rachel Zegler plays a stimuli towards Tom Blyth's character development, bringing out his various sides. She, as Lucy Grey Baird, also literally becomes the defiant voice of resistance and the symbolic songbird! Indeed, she is nothing short of fantastic in her character.
The ebb and flow of the plot, creates a compelling backstory for the future power hungry villain yet leader of Panem. Tom Blyth as young Coriolanus Snow, does complete justice to his character. At times, one even gets sympathetic towards his predicament.
The plot also explores the arc of how political shifts and agendas are concealed within the distractions of bloodshed shown as entertainment for many. It touches upon the most basic of human tendencies and their choices. The characters of Peter Dinklage and Viola Davis make a deep impact even when, less in quantity. The bloodshed was balanced but the impact just as harrowing and gripping.
The best was the music, the songs that beautifully translated the emotions of many scenes for the audiences, created an intense web of keeping the audience rightfully ensnared! The climax definitely steals the show. It is a must watch for every Hunger Games fan. Although the less amount of the actual games and the duration of the film might be a bit heavy on the audience.
'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is a 3.5 ⭐ out of 5. A movie that truly drives the point home, the world is an arena and we all are a part of a different kind of Hunger Games!
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt. It is based on the 2020 novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, serves as a prequel to The Hunger Games. It stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Henry Scafer, Peter Dinklage and Viola Davis