'Allo! I'm not contributing to Ciao for the time being but if you are bored / desperate / weird enou...
'Allo! I'm not contributing to Ciao for the time being but if you are bored / desperate / weird enough to wish to continue to read my ramblings, you can find me on Dooyoo under the user name plipplop. See you around! :P
Member since:15.07.2000
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To my mind, the measure of a good film is how much discussion the film stimulates afterwards. On this basis, Hannibal must surely be one of the best movies that I have seen for many months - my friends and I seem to have discussed very little ever since we went to see it.
Ten years on from its highly successful predecessor, Silence of the Lambs, the storyline of the sequel is relatively simple. Disgraced in duty, Clarice Starling is offered the chance to save her career by means of being assigned to locate Hannibal Lecter, ten years after he escaped custody. Initially aided by information from the sinister Mason Verger - a hideously disfigured victim of Lecter's, now intent on revenge - Starling gradually seeks out the location of Dr Lecter, finally managing to locate him in Florence. Lecter finally returns to the States when Starling is suspended from duty - Verger has arranged for her to be accused of witholding evidence of Lecter's location, and Lecter is compelled to return to see her. Starling, Lecter and Verger are finally drawn together as Verger's plans for revenge come to fruition - but who is left to rescue who?
Hannibal is a sumptuous piece of cinematic brilliance. Directed by Ridley Scott, the rich setting of Florence provides a perfect location for us to become re-acquainted with Dr Lecter, and the historic streets and buildings are used effectively as a backdrop to the sinister events that unfold. The film expertly builds tension throughout every sequence, and seldom offers the viewer's attention a chance to rest. The dialogue is continually engaging, and the film draws your attention to every detail - sometimes for no other reason than to unnerve the viewer.
Lecter is perhaps one of the finest characters in cinematic history. Unlike the usual
breed of Hollywood slashing, teen-killing, mass murderer, with Lecter we are presented with an educated, wealthy, refined gentleman who appreciates the Arts and shows a tenderness which betrays the sadistic killer within. In Silence of The Lambs, Dr Lecter was one of a group of important characters - in Hannibal we learn much more about Lecter's motivations, his mind and his purpose, and he is indeed the pivotal character. There are few cinematic mass killers who are ultimately as likeable and intriguing as Lecter. You admire his intelligence and tenacity - you simply know that Dr Lecter always knows exactly what people are up to, and everything that happens is part of his overall plan.
Anthony Hopkins puts in his finest performance - sometimes you could be forgiven for thinking that Lecter is the real-life persona of Hopkins. His soft, monotone voice is deliciously sinister, and his slightest movement terrifies everyone - on and in front of the screen. Hopkin's screen presence is very impressive - when he spoke, the whole cinema was enthralled with his every word. Hopkins moves with grace and poise - in one sequence, when he is about to do something rather unpleasant to someone he opens a pair of balcony doors like a country butler taking his master out for a gentle stroll. Few actors could consistently put Lecter into every move and sound. Hopkins is also gifted with some excellent lines, revealing Lecter's previously undiscovered "sense of humour".
Julianne Moore, hitherto relatively unknown, takes on the role of Clarice Starling. Following in Jodie Foster's footsteps was no mean feat - despite an admirable performance I thought Moore lacked some of the presence of Foster's Starling, but Starling is not as significant a character in the second movie compared to the first. The relationship between Lecter and Starling continues to be a key element of the plot, but I felt that the sequences with Moore and Hopkins lacked some of the energy that Foster and Hopkins were able to employ. Despite this, Hannibal continued to develop the relationship between the two figures in a sensitive, compelling manner. Starling seldom seems frightened of Lecter - another reason for the viewer's growing admiration for him.
Gary Oldman was excellent as the disfigured madman Verger - although barely recognisable beneath the make-up. As the film progressed, I rather felt that Verger was singularly much more unpleasant than Lecter - in a bizarre way, it is Verger who is essentially the bad guy in this film.
The film balances action with dialogue to great effect. There are two opening sequences - in the first we are introduced to Verger and his obsession with Lecter and in the second there is an explosive bungled FBI Operation that quickly re-introduces us to Starling. Despite the action of Starling's operation, it is perhaps the initial dialogue with Verger that is the most tense - what is he going to find in that box? Throughout the film, it is more often the case that the dialogue with Lecter is much more frightening than any of the actual killings - probably because you are always in anticipation of the violent Lecter suddenly emerging from behind the composure on show.
Imagery is a key component of Lecter's motivations, and was used by the Director to bring together hints that Lecter was more than just a man. A video tape of Lecter attacking one of his nurses stills Lecter's face just after the incident, and for one fleeting second he almost appears to be demon-like. A ferocious guard dog quickly thinks better of approaching Lecter - drawing parallels to The Omen - and there are two sequences when Lecter's feet play an important role. Why is he wearing nothing on his feet in the sub-zero temperatures of his Florence apartment? Only time - and a pack of wild boars - will tell…..
The film has been reviewed, and in some quarters criticised, for the level of violence and bloodshed portrayed. Whilst Hannibal is definitely a horror film, 90% of the film is essentially reliant on tension and fear, rather than actual gore. There are some unpleasant sequences (more of this later) and this is certainly not a film for those of a nervous disposition. Nonetheless, Lecter is a cannibal - a mass serial killer. It would be wrong for the film-makers to euphimise this and shy away from depicting Lecter's violent actions. Any gore and violence shown is entirely relevant to the plot, and is not gratituitous - with one highly regrettable, very damaging exception.
The final ten minutes of the film were ridiculously over the top. Starling's boss has been captured by Lecter, and in obvious revenge for his actions against Starling, Lecter has taken it upon himself to eat the man. What follows are some stomach-churning, extremely gratuitious sequences, which I felt were totally out of keeping with the rest of the film. In ten short minutes, the film was reduced to the level of any other gore-fest horror movie - those of you who have seen the Texas Chainsaw Massacre will see similarities in the two films' climactic scenes. Implausible, and quite offensive, I was very disappointed that the film ended in this way.
Nonetheless, the rest of the film was so good, that I cannot let this final sequence spoil my enjoyment. One of the best elements of the film was that it gave some information that acted as a catalyst for the thought processes of my mind. As I found out more about Lecter, there were so many new questions that remained unanswered. I understand that a remake of Red Dragon - the prequel to Silence of The Lambs - is now on the cards. I would rather see another movie which explores the character of Lecter further, and answer a few of these unanswered questions.
Additionally, I shall never be able to think of pigs in an affectionate way ever again - watch Hannibal and neither will you…
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Great review, Phil, as ever. I almost passed on this film due to the poor reviews in the media. The DVD, though, tempted me too much with all its special features and Play247's cheaper price. I actually enjoyed it more than Silence Of The Lambs, despite the absence of Jodie Foster. The surprise of the year for me. Cheers, Jason (returning in reduced capacity).
Howiemon 05.09.2001 01:28
My film of the year too! I've read this review before but I'd forgotten how good it was - and isn't the DVD just fab!
Yes, he's back, and he's still hungry. Ten years afterThe Silence of the Lambs,Dr. ... more
Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins, reprising his Oscar-winning role) is living the good life in Italy, studying art and sipping espresso. FBI agent Clarice...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Yes, he's back, and he's still hungry. Ten years afterThe Silence of the Lambs,Dr. ... more
Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins, reprising his Oscar-winning role) is living the good life in Italy, studying art and sipping espresso. FBI agent Clarice...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 1 to 2 weeks...
Ten Years have passed since FBI agent Clarice Starling faced the ingenious Dr. Hannibal ... more
Lecter...ten years of watching, wondering and waiting. But now the wait is over. The sophisticated killer re-emerges in Florence, Italy, ready to entice Clarice int...
Ten years have passed since FBI agent Clarice Starling faced the ingenious Dr. Hannibal ... more
Lecter... ten years of watching wondering and waiting. But now the wait is over. The sophisticated killer re-emerges in Florence Italy ready to entice Clarice in...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Excellent Plot, Good Extras, It's Hannibal the Cannibal for God's Sake Disadvantages: Julianne Moore not as good as Jodie Foster, Not as fast paces as SOTL but almost as good.
Jeffreycbx 29.08.2001 (29.08.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Hannibal (DVD)
![Hannibal [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78509515.jpg "Hannibal [DVD] [2001]")
Feb 18th, 2001
(Aug 20th, 2001)
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