Hannibal Rising (2007)

Genre

Crime | Thriller

Director

Peter Webber

Country

France | UK | USA

Cast

Gaspard Ulliel, Gong Li, Dominic West, Rhys Ifans, Helena-Lia Tachovska, Kevin McKidd, Richard Brake, Stephen Walters, Ivan Marevich, Charles Maquignon, Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė, Beata Ben Ammar, Pavel Bezdek, Goran Kostić, Robbie Kay, Dennis Ménochet

Storyline

After the death of his parents during World War II, young Hannibal Lecter (Gaspard Ulliel) moves in with his aunt (Gong Li) and begins plotting revenge on the barbarians responsible for his sister's death.

Opinion

After a useless remake - "Red Dragon" - here it is a useless prequel of "Manhunter". Unfortunately, "Hannibal Rising" isn't only a useless prequel, but it also is a horrific film as well as a shame for the Hannibal Lecter series.

Even though this was just another way for Hollywood to make more money, an origins film on Hannibal Lecter would have definitely been interesting if done in the right manner, and this is not the case, of course.

The writing is a mess, especially the plot. Like the tagline says, it all started with revenge, Hannibal's sister is killed and he wants revenge. But after two hours, a lot of plot holes, and so much nonsense you need a stack of paper to write it all, the film doesn't manage to show a proper transition of Hannibal, from young man looking for revenge to cannibal.

The disgusting script, which was written by writer Thomas Harris, doesn't feature any of the psychological insight of most of the previous entries in the series. To be honest, it kind of portray Hannibal like some sort of sick kid.

Peter Webber's direction is terrible. I am not even sure he knew what he was doing, a little bit like Woody Allen's character in "Hollywood Ending". Only that character was blind. The film completely lacks suspense and tension, but there's plenty of blood. It actually is a bloodbath.

But let's move onto the next point, the cast. First of all, Gaspard Ulliel has none of the charm of Hopkins, and I realize that's much to ask to a young actor, but he doesn't give any justice to the character of Hannibal either. He just grins for the whole thing. Then there is Gong Li plays Hannibal's Japanese aunt. This is some of the nonsense I was talking above. But my point here is Gong Li is Chinese. And even though many think they look the same, they don't. And what did she do to deserve this film? Dominic West gives a decent performance, but the reason why he even signed up for this, a mystery.

Red Dragon (2002)

Genre

Crime | Thriller

Director

Brett Ratner

Country

USA

Cast

Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson, Harvey Keitel, Mary-Louise Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Frank Whaley, Anthony Heald, Keng Leung, Frankie Faison, Tyler Patrick Jones, Ellen Burstyn

Storyline

To catch a serial killer (Ralph Fiennes) known by authorities as "The Tooth Fairy", retired FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) asks for the help of his arch-nemesis, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), to bring the killer to justice.

Opinion

Watching "Manhunter" was a terrible mistake, not because it spoiled me the plot, but because I couldn't help but compare the two films throughout the whole running time, and now it's going to be impossible to review "Red Dragon" as a prequel to "The Silence of the Lambs" instead of as a remake to "Manhunter".

So, "Red Dragon" is a decent thriller on its own, but it's a completely pointless prequel, and really nothing if compared to the first film of the Hannibal series.

I still have not read the book, so I don't know whether this film is faithful or not to the material, but I like that there is more Hannibal Lecter than there was in "Manhunter". Because of that, the film has more to show, like the beautiful opening sequence where Dr. Lecter is captured.

But that's where the film's positive aspects end. FBI agent Will Graham isn't anything like I was expecting. While William Petersen did a great job in the role, I was much more excited about seeing Edward Norton because I'm a fan of his. Unfortunately, the average script didn't give Norton the change to do a good job: instead of being a very complex man with his inner demons, and psychological problems, this Graham is just a devoted FBI agent.

Francis Dolarhyde, also known as "The Tooth Fairy", is ruined by the casting of Ralph Fiennes. He may be intimidating as Lord Voldemort, but he is just not the right person to play such a complex character. And once again the script is to be blamed, because Dolarhyde is portrayed as nothing more than a blockhead.

The other members of the cast/characters aren't that better. Harvey Keitel was miscast as Graham's supervisor, and he is quite bad too, and Mary-Louise Parker has to deal with a development-less character. But Emily Watson and Philip Seymour Hoffman both do a decent job.

Overall, "Red Dragon" is unevenly engaging and thrilling, and the only reason for it to exist is that they wanted to make a prequel to "The Silence of the Lambs" using same actors and same locations.

Hannibal (2001)

Genre

Crime | Thriller

Director

Ridley Scott

Country

USA

Cast

Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta, Frankie Faison, Giancarlo Giannini, Željko Ivanek, Hazelle Goodman, Robert Rietty, David Andrews, Francis Guinan, James Opher, Enrico Lo Verso, Ivano Marescotti, Danielle de Niese

Storyline

Having escaped the asylum, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) goes into hiding in Florence, Italy, and tries to reconnect with now disgraced FBI agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore) as he finds himself a target for revenge from one old victim of his (Gary Oldman).

Opinion

Ten years after the spectacular "The Silence of the Lambs", "Hannibal" was released, a good, but not great crime thriller film.

Although the comparison with his predecessor is quite natural, it wouldn't be fair to compare the two films, not because of the quality, but for the approach of the director to the given material. While Jonathan Demme brought to the screen a brilliant character study and analysis of human behavior, Ridley Scott brought to the screen a Hollywood kind of thriller, complete with black humour and special effects. 

That being said, let's move onto the next point, the script. The story is intriguing and keeps you glued to the screen, but it is not flawless. It does have many plot holes, and the tension isn't tremendously high. The characters are very interesting, but there's too many of them and the story moves too fast to allow a proper characterization.

The film also relies heavily on graphic violence and shock factor, and while some have complained about that, I really appreciated it because it is never excessive and the timing is just perfect.

Finally, the acting is good. Anthony Hopkins blesses us with another horrific and terrific performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter as he is allowed to play with the character a little bit. Julianne Moore goes well as Clarice Starling, but her portrayal unfairly lacks of credibility because one matches the character to Jodie Foster. Then there is an unrecognisable Gary Oldman that does a good job but is obviously eclipsed by Hopkins. Giancarlo Giannini also gives a good performance in his minor role. I just feel sorry for Ray Liotta, he really deserved a better character.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Genre

Drama | Thriller

Director

Jonathan Demme

Country

USA

Cast

Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Diane Baker, Kasi Lemmons, Frankie Faison, Tracey Walter, Charles Napier, Danny Darst, Alex Coleman, Dan Butler, Paul Lazar, Ron Vawter, Roger Corman, Chris Isaak, Harry Northup, Don Brockett, Masha Skorobogatov

Storyline

Young FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer (Anthony Hopkins) to receive his help to catch another serial killer (Ted Levine) known as Buffalo Bill.

Opinion

I saw this film for the first time something like five years ago. I remembered the story and that I liked it, but I didn't remember it was this good. Actually good isn't enough. "The Silence of the Lambs" is the ultimate psychological thriller.

The plot could simply be told as police on the hunt for a serial killer, because that's exactly what's going on in the film - and in tons of other films of the same genre. The difference is the pacing. It is slow which is totally unusual in thriller, and it's mixed with some very tense scenes, therefore creating an incredible suspense.

Jonathan Demme crafted a flawless film featuring musics that create dark and gloomy atmospheres, cool colours, a detached photography and tons of close-ups that spectacularly convey to the viewer the characters' feelings.

Just like Michael Mann's "Manhunter", "The Silence of the Lambs" also is a profound character study of a brutal, revolting killer that is also an intelligent and charming man. A manipulative psychopath that messes with people's minds like nobody else.

And then there is the acting. Oh boy it is good. Jodie Foster is fantastic as Clarice Starling, and manages to successfully portray the young FBI trainee both as a fragile woman and a woman of steel. Anthony Hopkins is so disturbing as Lecter. Nobody else could have been cast for the role, and nobody else could have killed it like he did - just to make sure we are on the same page, that last part isn't literal. Moving on, his performance is so good, it's almost impossible to keep your eyes off him. And Ted Levine delivers a fantastic performance as the sick, twisted Buffalo Bill.

Manhunter (1986)

Genre

Crime | Thriller

Director

Michael Mann

Country

USA

Cast

William Petersen, Tom Noonan, Dennis Farina, Kim Greist, Brian Cox, Joan Allen, Stephen Lang

Storyline

Former FBI profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) returns to service to pursue a deranged serial murderer (Tom Hoonan) named "the Tooth Fairy" by the media.

Opinion

I haven't read the book, I didn't know the plot to the film, and I watched it because it is Hannibal Lecter's first time on the screen. And I was disappointed because Hannibal Lector is only a minor character, but at the same time I wasn't disappointed because "Manhunter" is a very absorbing, engaging and suspenseful thriller. Pretty much how every thriller should be.

Based on Thomas Harris's novel "Red Dragon", the plot is tremendously appealing and puts in comparison a witty and sharp FBI agent and a devious, psychopathic serial killer. And by "comparison" I mean for real. The first half of the film focuses on Will Graham, the FBI agent, his inner demons, and his quest to catch the killer. The second half is the story of Francis Dolarhyde, the serial killer, who isn't a complete monster.

That's when you can see Michael Mann's ability, because he brilliantly goes from one story to the other. The transition is extremely smooth and you almost don't even notice it. Also Mann managed to make a film that shocks and disgusts the audience but at the same time develops the character carefully so that the climax is even better.

And then there is the cast. William Petersen does a wonderful job as Will Graham, and he finds the right balance between seeming haunted and detached. Joan Allen does a great job as always as the blind woman who falls in love with Dolarhyde. But the star of the film is arguably Tom Noonan who delivers a fascinating and frightening performances as the serial killer.