With the new book coming out, I want to go over my to 3 from my favorite film franchise, this post will contain spoilers!
Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Summery
The story of President Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blynth). An orphan after his father died in the war, raised by his Grandma'am and cousin, Tigris (Hunter Schaffer). Coryo attends a prestigious school pretending to be rich until he can win the Plinth prize by having the best academics of his graduating class. However, this year there's been a change to the requirements of receiving the prize. Instead of performing the best academically, Coryo must perform the best as a mentor in the Hunger Games. It doesn't necessarily mean win the Hunger Games but have a tribute who is popular amongst the Capitol and makes people want to watch. The headmaster of the school assigns Coryo to district 12's Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). She makes it easy to appeal to the Capitol as she breaks out into song during the reaping.
One Sentence Review
Review: 10/10
I loved this film the acting was great and so was everything else
The Tiny Details
I am of the opinion that The Hunger Games is the best book series ever so I can't help but be biased towards the movies. They left so much out of the film (begging for the 4-hour cut PLEASE) but it still was such a great film, one of my favorites. Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird was perfect casting she was just amazing. The songs, the cinematography, the set design was all just perfect, the fact that this was barely recognized during awards season was a crime. My favorite combination of cinematography and set design had to be how the film centered around the part of the Capitol that's later used for the tribute parade. The film starts with Tigris and Coryo as children running through the center, there's occasional pans to it in transitions, and the film ends with Coryo standing in the center.
Getting more background into Snow's feud with District 12 is such a great plot for a film, having to watch Snow mentor in the Hunger Games and make them what they are was a great way to add to the series and it was such a powerful message. I also loved learning more about Tigris, she's such an important character in this prequel and all I could think about is how she's against the government and helps Katniss later in her life. Tigris being close to Snow only for them to be on opposite sides of the war because of what happens to Snow in this film was.
I loved how every side character had some relation to a future character there were the Cranes, Heavensbee, and Flickerman. It shows the class system and how people on top stay on top. I also loved how this is a film where you see a District 4 tribute with a trident and a District 7 tribute with an axe showing the affinity that certain Districts always have towards certain weapons. These little connections to the future films are some of my favorite parts of sequels.
Viola Davis as Dr.Gaul was also a big part of the film. As head game maker she came up with some truly twisted ideas for the games. She also really solidified Coryo's character development and his becoming the brutal dictator we know and hate from the later films. Her role was so important it has to be mentioned even if just briefly.
The reason The Hunger Games is one of my favorites is because what it says about today's political environment. This movie and its' book in particular say a lot about what's currently happening in the world. It's so eye opening and while I love the plot and the characters, I also really enjoy watching and thinking about how certain lines and movements allude to current events.
Favorite Characters
3) Sejanus Plinth
Even though I didn't mention him in my Tiny Details section, Sejanus does play an important part. He showcases someone who managed to move up in society from district to Capitol. While I wasn't a huge fan of his choices in District 12 when he joined the rebellion, it was heartbreaking to watch him be betrayed.
2) Tigris
Obviously, she's on this list. As I said above, Tigris' character left me in thought about the connections to the later films and her final line in the film just haunts me. I get chills every time I hear her tell Coryo he looks just like his father because of all of the implications, mainly how his father helped create the Hunger Games, how it was his idea to tell the Capitol to do it.
1) Lucy Gray Baird
Honestly also in my top 3 favorite Hunger Games characters overall. I love her, while writing these I've noticed a sort of pattern in my favorite characters. They tend be strong and independent especially in films where most female characters are anything but that. Lucy Grey is no exception and on top of that she sings her messages which is my favorite form of communication.
Best Quotes
5) "You have a problem with MY games" - Dr.Gaul
4) "Coriolanus Snow is the winner of the 10th Hunger Games" - Lucky Flickerman
I don't usually comment on these quotes anymore, but I have to say this quote is another that haunts me, because he didn't have to fight in the games but because he was the mentor and the Capitol member, he won, not Lucy Gray
3) "Wouldn't it be fun if it was candy....NOT CANDY" - Lucky Flickerman
2) "Half the other recruits can't read sir" - Snow
1) "I think you look just like your father Coriolanus" - Tigris
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