Yet another instalment in the ever popular Hunger Games franchise comes to the big screen with resounding highs, writes Kas Ellis.
The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes and I have something of an off and on again relationship. I found the original dull and far too much like a grand exposition dump for author Suzanne Collins to tell us all her personal theories on what happened before the events of the original trilogy. There wasn’t any room for mistakes for this movie, and I was expecting to dislike it just as much. I didn’t have high hopes.
As much as it breaks my little bookworm heart, I have to admit that, in this case, the movie is better. Directed by Francis Lawerence, it happily condenses the most important parts of the novel into a thrilling two and a half hours of betrayal, murder, and one of the most twisted summer romances I had ever laid my eyes on.
Like the book, the plot is solid, though it leaves a lot to be desired. There are some threads that aren’t all that tightly strung, but it does enough to let the characters shine.
The movie follows the villain from the original trilogy, Coriolanus Snow, portrayed with charming guile by Tom Blyth, as a fresh-faced mentor in the infamous child-murdering tournament. He’s trying desperately to win a grant to ensure he can go to university and support his family, while falling in love with his tribute, Lucy Gray Baird.
Blyth’s acting is my favourite part of the movie. He has such a subtle and almost threatening way of charming people, giving them just enough time or day that they trust him, all the while keeping himself just that perfectly composed reservation that you can tell he’s planning something just by the look on his face.
Even when he’s in love with Lucy Gray (the utterly charming Rachel Zegler), there’s always something in the back of the audience’s mind that questions if he’s as truthful as he says he is. He deceives us as much as the characters.
And Zegler thrives as Lucy Gray. She is witty, utterly convincing, and sings the songs like they were written for her. I was particularly worried about the songs, as I never really took to them in the book, but actually hearing them aloud has changed my mind. And no doubt, the West Side Story actress nails every note like they were designed for her lungs.
The two lead actors really sell this movie, and make it a well worthwhile watch if you’re in need of a just-thought-provoking-enough-to-not-be-confusing YA dystopian kick.
