Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Hunger Games prequel review says The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will satisfy both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.

You know what I love about prequels? You don’t have to remember everything about the previous films to enjoy them. You don’t have to have read the entire book or comic series to appreciate them. There’s no “previously” montage necessary. They stand on their own as movies for everyone, not just fans of the franchise.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is like that. Readers, fans and followers of the series will certainly get more out of the film, but even those who are completely unfamiliar with the Hunger Games will appreciate this movie for what it is—a compelling dystopian fantasy.

The Hunger Games prequel review — the setup:

The prequel happens about 64 years before Hunger Games heroine Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), ever picked up a bow and arrow. It’s the story of how the Hunger Games, an annual competition where two children, called tributes, from each of the rebellious “Districts” are brought to the omnipotent Capitol to compete to the death in a brutal game of survival.

But the Hunger Games prequel is also the coming of age story of eventual Capitol president Coriolanus Snow (formerly played by Donald Sutherland), who so chillingly reigned while Katniss wrecked havoc.

In the Hunger Games prequel, Corio (Tom Blyth)  is young, smart, and his family is down on its luck. But he can still rise if, as one of the leaders in his elite Capitol prep school, he can mentor plucky and beautiful Lucy Gray (Rachel Zegler) to become the soul survivor of this year’s Hunger Games. Does romance ensue? What do you think?

If you haven’t read the Suzanne Collins penned prequel, you’re in for some interesting surprises. Be aware that the Hunger Games series is and always has been full of brutality that’s often hard to watch. But the films focus more on the idea of the violence than on the actual blood and guts. Still, at times it’s difficult to witness.

You nay also find it a little difficult to sit through. Director Francis Lawrence, who helmed three of the previous Hunger Games films, as well as the masterful Water for Elephants, has saddled Ballad with a two-and-a-half hour run time, and, as I’ve said many times before, it’s hard to keep viewers riveted for the duration.

Fun, colorful appearances from by Viola Davis (beyond!), Jason Schwartzman and Peter Dinklage certatinly liven things up, however.

In essence, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is sure to please fans of the franchise, but will also intrigue newbies who come along for the ride. It serves the audience well.

Rated PG-13

2 Hours 37 Minutes

If this Hunger Games prequel review encourages you to run out to the theater and see it, get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Hunger Games prequel review says The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes will satisfy both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.