Between 2012 and 2015, the saga Hunger Games has accumulated worldwide revenues of nearly US$3 billion. Set in the imaginary nation of Panem, in a dystopian future, the films feature “Hunger Games”, a sort of reality show where young conscripts compete to the death. The totalitarian government of President Coriolanus Snow thus keeps the population entertained, and enslaved, as in the days of gladiators of old. After announcing that she had toured the garden, or finally the arena, the author of the original novels, Suzanne Collins, released a prequel, now a film: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games. The Ballad of the Serpent and the Songbird). The result is rather conclusive.
Mastermind of three of the four initial films, Francis Lawrence is back as director. This is an undeniable advantage, Lawrence knowing the mythology of this universe in depth.
The film benefits from two other strengths, these dependent on judicious decisions made by Collins. Firstly, the fact of setting the action some sixty years before that of the original series means that we find ourselves, in the film, with a new visual environment, but nevertheless recognizable.
For example, the urban architecture openly inspired by that of Berlin in the 1940s, as the director confirmed to us in an interview, reinforces the parallels between the government of Panem and the Nazi regime. Technological advances are not yet as advanced as what we have seen in previous feature films, but certain details indicate what is to come.
In short, we have, at the same time, the change of scenery of the new, and the comfort of the familiar.
Secondly, and this is the author’s best idea, in this opus, we witness a complete reversal in terms of protagonist.
In fact, in the four Hunger Games In the past, we followed Katniss Everdeen on the path to nobility (and her interpreter, Jennifer Lawrence, on that of glory). In this film, we rather accompany Coriolanus Snow on the path of duplicity. It is therefore a story of the origins of the “bad guy”.
Brilliant by Dinklage and Davis
But in fact, the future despot is not yet a vile character when we meet him. He even has the potential for greatness. However, one after the other, his decisions will reveal a propensity to nourish, and to satisfy, the worst in him. This entire section is well modulated, both psychologically and narratively.
It must be said that, in the role of Coriolanus, Tom Blyth is excellent (his naturally brown hair is here an Aryan blond in order to accentuate the Nazi subtext).
In these games, privileged citizens must act as mentors to disadvantaged competitors. In this infamous lottery, Coriolanus is assigned Lucy Gray, a young woman as determined as she is unpredictable. With a remarkable voice, Lucy sings in dark times to give herself courage. In the role, Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) is perfect, both dramatically and vocally.
Given Coriolanus’ ambitions, can these two actually love each other?
That being said, in terms of interpretation, two secondary characters come close to eclipsing the opposite lovers. In the role of Casca, who once thought about games, Peter Dinklage gradually reveals a tragic dimension behind a gruff facade. In that of Volumnia, the scientist who designs the cruel tests, Viola Davis has fun between genius and madness.
A film and a half
Alas, the film is a lot too long. Two thirds of the way through, we arrive at what should have been the denouement. Except that it continues for another good hour, in a different sector of Panem. We then have the impression of being in a sequel that is too condensed and poorly attached to the rest (the very end as such is, however, well put together).
At the time of the conclusion of the saga, in 2014-2015, the last novel had been split into two films. Since then, Francis Lawrence has expressed regret over this decision: a film would have been enough.
Paradoxically, this adventure would have benefited, in terms of breath and cohesion, from being divided in two.
It prevents, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes overall does its job of large-scale entertainment quite well. Will there be a sequel? That will depend on Suzanne Collins. And of the public which, like that of the film, will approve or not these new games.