The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is bloated. Because the action spectacle and character study aspects of the story never meld into one, they take turns feeling underwhelming and incomplete. There are the usual themes of classism and political corruption, but they don't connect as strongly within a muddled script. It has heavy exposition, underdeveloped characters, unearned growth, excessive plot, inherent predictability, and rushed payoff. The acting does what it can to provide intensity, layers, and likability. There's the making of a constructive story or two, but Songbirds and Snakes has unclear internal conflict, weak emotional connection, and a meandering narrative.
Technically, Songbirds and Snakes is patchy. Its direction feels disjointed and bland. The editing offers a boring pace with no momentum and a cumbersome structure. Its CGI effects look cheap, unconvincing, and even ugly. The inconsistent imagery offsets brief angles, lighting, and focus with dark and drab sequences. Its sound uses muffling, action, echoes, and emphasis. The music spruces up generic scoring with diegetic folk singing. Its production design adds retrofuturism, classism, and a monotonous arena. The cast is deep, diverse, suitable, and rising. Overall, Songbirds and Snakes has strengths but never comes together. Its inefficient execution is fatiguing.
Writing: 5/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Acting: 8/10
Editing: 4/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 5/10
Overall Score: 6.0/10
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