The uneven prelude to the new Hunger Games

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I confess that I’m not the biggest fan of The Hunger Games. I think that the movies have a serious problem with casting (with Josh Hutcherson) that takes all the true of the productions. But, I understand that there are people who love the stories, the books, and that the films turned Jennifer Lawrence into a star (the Oscar came later). And they will probably run to the cinema to see The Hunger Games: A Song of Birds and Snakeswhich premiered this November 15th holiday.

It is a prelude to the story of Katniss and company, showing the youth of President Snow, played by Donald Sutherland in the previous films. Years before, Coriolanus Snow lived in the capital, born into the great house of Snow, which is not doing very well financially. He prepares for his chance at glory as a Games mentor. The fate of his House depends on whether Coriolanus is able to charm, deceive, and manipulate his colleagues into mentoring the winning tribute. And the one that falls into his hands is Lucy Gray, from District 12. Their destinies are now intertwined. As a result, every choice Coriolanus makes will have consequences inside and outside the Game. In the arena, the battle will be deadly and the girl will have to survive every second. Outside the arena, Coriolanus begins to grow attached to the girl.

What did I find?

The film can be divided into two parts. The first, which takes place before and during the games, is sensational. There’s non-stop action, Viola Davis having a blast as a game manipulator in chief. There is also efficient chemistry between the central couple, made by Tom Blyth (from the series Billy the Kidfrom Paramount+) and Rachel Ziegler (Maria de Love, Sublime Love). Even Jason Schwartzman, normally dull, is quite entertaining as the game presenter. The film also works well in showing how human beings can become barbaric beings. So far, perfect.

The problem starts in the second part, which makes the film 2h37 minutes long. too long and curls too much. When the action moves to District 12, it seems like it’s another film. And everything gets more difficult when they cut Snow’s hair, making him look like Draco Malfoy, from the Harry Potter films (laughs). Also, Lucy Gray is a character who is supposed to be a hero, from what I remember from the original Hunger Games films. However, here she is a mere supporting character. It’s worth it for the musical numbers that Rachel Zegler sings with her beautiful voice.

The change, the turn of the key, from Snow, from the guy who tries to be good to the villain, is abrupt (they drag on too much and don’t know how to use time correctly). And also poorly explained. Did he become a villain because of Lucy? And her fate? Everything seems to be left open for the possibility of a sequel. And with that, what could have been sensational (the first part) became completely tiring because of the second. I really missed Donald Sutherland!