‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ Nabs Good Test Reactions, 2 Hour 45 Minute Epic

For what it’s worth, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” has been getting very positive test-screening reactions.

A few insider accounts have been hearing the same thing. We can take this intel with a grain of salt or it could turn out to be very accurate. Who knows. What I do know is that the last cut screened was 2 hours 45 minutes … and the reactions I read were overwhelmingly positive.

I didn’t love the last two Hunger Games. However, the first two were good and “Catching Fire” was the best of the lot. Francis Lawrence directed the last three and he’s back at the helm for ‘Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’

Here’s the official synopsis:

Years before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow sees a chance for a change in fortunes when he mentors Lucy Gray Baird, the female tribute from District 12.

The trailer looks visually appealing, much more so than the Jennifer Lawrence films. I’m not quite sure Rachel Zegler fits in but test reports have said that she’s good in this one.

“The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes” has Tom Blyth tackling Coriolanus Snow (originally played by Donald Sutherland) while Rachel Zegler plays Lucy Gray Baird.

The film also stars Josh Andrés Rivera, Hunter Schaefer, Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis, and Jason Schwartzman. Burn Gorman, Fionnula Flanagan, Ashley Liao, and Max Rafael round out the main cast.

‘Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ hits theaters on November 17th, 2023.