In recent times there haven’t been to many movies that have been both scary in a ‘horrific’ way as well as in a ‘psychological’ way. Movies such as ‘Scary Movie’ and ‘Dracula 2000’ have tried to bring in an element of ‘mind’ terror and realism to the movie theatres, but none have really succeeded in the same way that ‘Silence of the Lambs’ did. With Anthony Hopkins playing Hannibal Lecter with a realism that is very scary and Jody Foster playing the FBI agent Scarlet, this movie became a huge success and one of the scaries psychological horror movies since a namesakes Hopkins starred in Hitchcock’s Psycho.
It was inevitable that after the success of the first movie the sequel would be made’ die to contractual obligations, Jodie Foster was unavailable for the second movie, but Hopkins was able to resurrect his most successful character. Based on the best selling sequel to the ‘Silence of the Lambs’
book, Hannibal was made.
<The Movie>
One of Hannibal Lecter’s previous victims, the rich one that somehow managed to survive the attack, seek revenge on Hannibal Lecter. His obsession for revenge, which is almost like a macabre crush in which he seeks to gain pleasure by making Hannibal suffer leads him to offer a reward for Hannibal’s capture.
Meanwhile, FBI agent Starling comes under fire when she has to shed much blood in a botched raid on a drug addict (the job was messed up by the local police). Starling is saved from losing her career by Lecter’s former victim, who has evidence that may help Starling locate Hannibal.
We then find ourselves in Italy as we find local Police chief becoming greedy and wanting to claim the $3,000,000 by capturing Hannibal. He under estimates Hannibal’s shrewdness and genius and ends up on the wrong end of a hanging.
The main plot is about the obsession for revenge, and Hannibal and Starling’s strange relationship which also borders on obsessive in both directions. The plot is fairly straight forward as we begin to realize that even though Hannibal may seem helpless he generally is in control at all times.
The ending is fairly predictable leaving many question unanswered.
<My Opinion>
After reading and hearing so much hype about the movie and how gruesome the last 20 minutes were, I was desperately disappointed with the movie. There is one scene at the end that could be seen as horrific, but I have seen far more gruesome movies.
However, I did not watch the movie to see the gruesome bits, I was more interested in it as a psychological thriller that would make me scared to sleep. The movie failed to scare me in many ways. The plot was very weak and really didn’t center around Hannibal thus making it less frightening.
Parts of the movie were too unbelievable therefore limiting the psychological effect of the movie. The beauty about ‘Silence of the Lambs’ was that the whole movie was eerily believable.
I found that the movie tried to concentrate on the effects gruesome death and this to me made the film less frightening as often what you do not see is more frightening as you begin to use your imagination.
The production and direction of the movie was generally very good; the combination of camera work with the use of light and darkness was particularly good, and the eerie soundtrack set a sinister atmosphere very well.
The special effects were excellent, particularly the model of the baby in the first scene and the model of the ‘head and brain’ in the ending.
<The Acting>
Anthony Hopkins was excellent as Hannibal Lecter; in many scenes it is amazing how you can almost see a burning madness in his eyes. His portrayal as the charming and intelligent doctor draws from the old ‘Jeckyll and Hyde’ characters as we see an amazingly evil transformation at times.
Gary Oldman plays an excellent role as the horribly disfigured former victim of Hannibal. He adds just the right amount of obsession to this character as we begin to realize that the victim is just as mad as the perpertrator.
Julianne Moore has a hard act to follow after Jodie Foster. She plays Agent Starling very well adding perhaps a little more believability than Jodie Foster. She also has a little more sex appeal than Jodie. However, overall I feel that Jodie is the better Agent as she seemed to be able to show more fear. However, saying that Julianne did very well.
<Conclusion>
Fans of the original move will be sorely disappointed by this movie as it does not convey the same fear and horror as the original. As a stand alone movie it is quite good, but as a sequel it is poor.
The performances are very good and perhaps save the movie a little; for me though I wait to see what the ‘Prequel’ will be like.
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
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
![Hannibal [DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78509515.jpg "Hannibal [DVD] [2001]")
Sep 1st, 2001
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