Here's our nonspoiler and spoiler reviews of the Hunger Games Prequel, Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
NONSPOILER REVIEW
Summary:
Great first two acts, third act feels like it lets the movie down.
They bring up a lot of interesting ideas relevant to this time period of the Hunger Games universe, but don't have enough time or focus to really dig deep into them.
Doesn't really do a good job of showing us how this society lasts for another 65 years
RECOMMENDATION: WHETHER YOU'VE READ THE PREQUEL OR NOT, THIS IS STILL A FUN THEATER OUTING FOR FANS OF THE FRANCHISE
SPOILER REVIEW
Summary:
This movie feels like the prequel to another prequel we haven't seen yet because they don't answer the fundamental question of how the Hunger Games kept the districts in line for another 65 years.
Snow, Lucy Gray, and Sejanus all feel like almost entirely different characters in the third act compared to how they're portrayed and motivated for the first two acts.
The reason for Snow becoming the totalitarian ruler we know 65 years later feels very shallow in comparison to the deeper themes hinted at in other parts of the movie.
An 8 or 10 episode TV show adaptation would have been better paced for the story being told.