After ten years of waiting, with numerous cast problems and setbacks, Hannibal is now chewing its way to our big screens. The third film following the tale of Dr Hannibal Lecter (the original being the low grossing Manhunter) it follows on from Silence of the Lambs, with Hannibal having escaped and now living a peaceful life in Florence sampling its finest cuisine.
~STARTERS~
The Plot
After a botched drug raid the once heralded Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore) found herself double crossed by Paul Krendler (Ray Liotta) from the Justice Department and is deprived from her FBI role. And why? Well Hannibal's only surviving victim millionaire Mason Verger (an uncredited Gary Oldman) wants revenge on Hannibal because even though slicing his face off 'seemed like a good idea at the time' it just isn't what its cracked up to be when it gets down to it. He knows that if Hannibal sees Clarice in trouble he'll come back.
And so he does, but not before have a little fun before hand with the resident Florence cop, its not long before we see Hannibal's nasty side come out once more.
It doesn’t take long for Hannibal to be caught, but he is unperturbed by his imminent grizzly
demise (man eating boars anyone?). He shouldn’t be because Clarice is on hand to save him, but it doesn’t end there.
I won’t give too much away about the ending. As you may know it’s different to the one in the book, and it will either please or anger people. However the ending has got to be one of the most memorable events in cinema history, this is one dinner party you will *never* forget.
~MAIN COURSE~
The Critique
Let’s get one thing straight. Hannibal is in no way better than Silence of the Lambs. While the first was intended to scare this can be seen as comic camp horror, or a romantic black comedy. It's not meant to be creepy, simply there to throw a few wet pieces of gore and extended the cat and mouse game with Clarice and Hannibal.
Anthony Hopkins is once again, masterful, at playing Hannibal and this time he is equipped with some very good one liners and phrases and will make you chuckle even though your not supposed to. He lacks the fear factor of Silence, coming across as more of a cartoon villain but he can still raise a shiver now and again. Indeed when he speaks to Clarice for the first time ('Hello Clarice') have the audience let out a humorous wail of fright. This is what makes Hannibal a good film because the main character is a person you know so well but will still make you sit on edge. When Hopkins is on screen you'll pay attention and you'll love him.
Julianne Moore is a bit unlucky. Jodie Foster was a tough lady to beat and Moore doesn’t quite manage it, however that’s not through fault of her own, she does a good job playing Clarice, in some ways the character was not given a chance, she has minimal time with Hannibal, unlike Silence, which is a shame, because the love affair is not given enough attention in this film.
The main plot, that of the revenge of Mason Verger, stops about 15 minutes before the end. Gary Oldman, although there's no way you can recognise him (the make up is brilliant) does well with this character which seems there only for humorous tones. The background music accompanying his parts are light hearted classical romps, totally out of place with the film, but they add that twisted effect. The plot (mixed in with the Florence sub plot) may not be as gripping as the first but bode well for the film, it never gets boring, this is mainly due to the fact that when Hannibal is not on screen your in anticipation for his next appearance.
As with most Ridley Scott films the camera work is exceptional. There is a lot of indulgence with the Florence set piece, with shots of the surroundings featuring largely, this may upset some people, being a break up from all the action, but Hannibal is not meant to be an all out gore fest.
The gore in it is surprisingly minimal. Although its ten times as more in Silence (Hannibal only chews off one person in that film) its never gratious. There may be a lot of blood (people in Florence must have enough blood in one person to provide for the NHS here) but its not always shown. The only notable disturbances are the boars, however it’s not as gross as it could have been. Also the most notorious scene at the end could raise a few eye brows, but it comes across more as comic than scary, people in the audience were disgusted but it didn’t stop them laughing.
~DESSERT~
Sweet Delight
Hannibal is not on par with Silence of the Lambs and it has got mixed reviews, indeed it seems Oscars are out of the question but it has grossed over $100m in the first 10 days and £6.2m over here on its first weekend so people are still longing for Hannibal.
If you go in expecting a suspenseful thriller, which is set to equal Silence then you'll be disappointed. Go in expecting a good two hours entertainment where you witness Hopkin's reprising his finest role and you wont be.
Hannibal is a movie not to be taken seriously, merely there to entertain and provide what people have been waiting for for 10 years.
Of course the adventures will continue. A prequel and another sequel are lined up. It seems the meal is not yet over.
HANNIBAL IS
A welcome return Nicely acted Funny, in a macabre sort of way
HANNIBAL IS NOT
All that Silent To be taken too seriously The last we shall see of the good Doctor
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
Another well-written review, top-nothc in fact (I too like the 'menu' idea. I've read the book at it sounds like the film follows it pretty cloely, although it also sounds like the book was better and certainly the book was very chilling as you start to sympathise with Hannibal (just because of the way its written) and then he starts his cannabalism again and you just don't know what to think. Anyway I think I've rambled on enough, this is only a comment after all. Great op. Timmy.
Connoisseur_Haggler 13.05.2001 17:28
the setting and theme of your opinion is wonderfully expressed, thank you,
salman 13.05.2001 17:28
"Funny, in a macabre sort of way", nicely put.I agree with that one.
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...
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...
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 24 hours...
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
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