The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - MOVIE REVIEW

Hey everyone, the Hunger Games prequel - The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - released in theaters a week ago. I had the chance to see it last week but did not have time to review until today so I thought I'd share my thoughts, especially considering I am not really a fan of these movies and might give a unique perspective. So, does the latest Hunger Games film feel like more of the same or does this origin tale telling the story of the rise of Snow in Panem reinvigorate the franchise? Find out in this review. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes: Directed by: Francis Lawrence Screenplay by: Michael Lesslie and Michael Arndt Based on the Novel by: Suzanne Collins Produced by: Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Francis Lawrence Executive Producers: Suzanne Collins, Mika Saito, Jim Miller, Tim Palen Music by: James Newton Howard Cinematography by: Jo Willems Editing by: Mark Yoshikawa Production Design by: Uli Hanisch Costume Design by: Trish Summerville Cast: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh AndrésRivera, Jason Schwartzman, and Viola Davis Synopsis: THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake. - Lionsgate