Many fans of previous Hunger Games movies have been awaiting the release of “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” to join the series. Although a book has already been written about this sequel, many have been excited for a movie to come out to involve more realistic live action. As the sequel was released Nov. 17, 2023, the majority of fans have already been able to see it in theaters and it is already sparking a lot of interest.
This movie features two main characters Coriolanus Snow and Lucy Gray Baird. 18-year-old Coriolanus, and other members of the Academy he is in are selected to mentor tributes of the Hunger Games as a new project for the 10th Hunger Games. Coriolanus’ mentor is the female tribute of District 12, Lucy Gray, who makes a bold introduction during her reaping by singing a song that charms the audience. Throughout the games, Lucy Gray is supported by the audience by receiving donations because of her singing ability. Also, Coriolanus seems to be the only mentor that actually helps his tribute by willing her to win the games, causing the two to build a budding relationship.
The ending of the movie leaves many viewers confused, however, as Coriolanus turns on Lucy Gray although he seemed to originally be committed to living with her. This diversion is a result of Coriolanus beginning to become paranoid due to many things that happened between the two of them leading up to this scene. Lucy Gray has a common theme throughout the movie that trust is very important to her, and Coriolanus did many things to break their trust, causing the downfall of their relationship. During the movie, he hides the fact that he killed someone and accidentally tells Lucy Gray, causing her to no longer trust him. Many fans have already voiced their opinion on this sequel.
Hunger Games fan, Dana Kim, said “[It was an] absolutely phenomenal film. Even the long runtime was fine. As someone who usually doesn’t enjoy movies, this was incredible.”
The current rating of the movie is 3.5 out of 5 stars, but many enjoy seeing the advance of President Snow; however, some believe that there is too limited of a time to portray all the events leading up to the character.
“I would have loved to get to know the other tributes a little better and to have seen less of Coriolanus Snow” Victoria Matosovic said in a review.
“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” is an entertaining and intriguing storyline based around Coriolanus Snow. Altogether, the movie is a revision of the past, allowing those to understand how the gamemaker President Snow rose to fame in the previous games.
