After a long eight-year drought, the Hunger Games franchise has taken over the world once again. It’s almost as if no time has passed at all with every fan slipping seamlessly back into their obsession with these games.
Suzanne Collins has done it again with yet another book of romance, betrayal, and brutal fight scenes. She takes us back in time to the tenth annual Hunger Games in which our un-beloved Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) becomes acquainted with the musical and iron-willed likes of Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler). The two find themselves stuck with the task of making a winner out of this misfortune girl from district 12. Throughout the time they spend together, they develop a forbidden affinity for each other and go to great lengths to keep one another alive.
While the two stars of this show shine brightly with their brilliant acting and enchanting singing, the supporting cast adds more than a lot to the quality of this film. Most notably Hunter Schafer who plays Snow’s doting cousin Tigirs, a fashionable and pure counterpart to the cold rigidity of one Coriolanus. Schafer expertly portrays the emotions of a concerned family member fighting for the goodness of someone they love. Her obvious care for his well-being and the outcomes of his actions add an entire extra layer of emotional depth to the movie that wouldn’t have been there without her.
Another character that really stole the spotlight was Lucretius “Lucky” Flickerman (Jason Schwartzman). His comedic timing and clever quips add an element of relief from the tragedy of the story. He constantly makes the audience question whether they should laugh or cry. Lucky’s hilarity is definitely appropriate for the predecessor of Caesar Flickerman, his implied descendant.
The final aspect of this film that really cemented it as a fabulous picture is the incorporation of the magical musical numbers. The songbird in question from which this film was named is of course Lucy Grey. Her enchanting voice blesses the ears of everyone watching and even compels the heartless population of Panem to love her. Collins’ songwriting ability was a pleasant surprise for fans of the franchise, as if her fantastic writing skills weren’t enough already. Rachel Zegler is seemingly the only actress who could do this part justice, nailing the southern twang and emotion that Collins intended for her character.
Overall, every second of this film only solidifies the reputation of “The Hunger Games” satisfying fans insatiable need for more. It exceeded every expectation I could have had for it and I would gladly watch it again.
