By JIM LUKSIC
The Progress
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes has more grit, panache, and quality acting than it probably deserves.
This fifth installment, derived from author Suzanne Collins’ young-adult source material, unspools as a prequel – when Coriolanus Snow, the future president of Penam, is only 18. Desperate for money and the top prize of the 10th Hunger Games, he is assigned to mentor “tribute” Lucy Gray Baird, a crooner from the godforsaken 12th District.
Set chiefly around the post-war capitol, the action tale tinged with melodrama shifts into gear with gamemaker Dr. Gaul (Viola Davis) overseeing the kill-or-be-killed competition. Although Gaul takes a liking to Snow, the academy’s dean (Peter Dinklage) feels the opposite.
The young hero’s confident prediction about the violent showdown: “Snow lands on top.”
Director Francis Lawence’s name will ring a bell with Hunger Games dystopian devotees from the last decade; he has traversed similar terrain recently with rugged Red Sparrow and Constantine to boot.
As is often the case with this franchise, the filmmaker has an army of talented foot soldiers at his disposal: Along with charismatic Davis and Dinklage are the enjoyable Tom Blyth and Jason Schwartzman – all of whom take a back seat to songstress Rachel Zegler, who shined in the 2021 reprisal of West Side Story. Her character this time proves to be anything but a damsel in distress.
Schwartzman, as the Games’ television host, piles the ham high with quips and play-by-play commentary.
What helps carry it to the far-away finish line is the romantic tension between the youthful co-stars; Blyth and Zegler are talented actors with credible chemistry.
Themes of friendship and betrayal come to the fore, as do the titular symbolic creatures.
Social media platforms have been percolating about whether The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes should’ve been made. My two cents: While the picture wasn’t necessary, it had no business being as compelling and entertaining as it has turned out.
One point that can’t be disputed: It’s in no hurry, clocking in at a robust 160 minutes that rarely bog down.
