| Hannibal |
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| Rating: Good Distributor: MGM Release Date: February 9th, 2000 (wide) Genre: Drama Running Length: 2 hours, 11 minutes MPAA Rating: R Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Ray Liota, Giancarlo Giannini, Gary Oldman, Francesca Neri, Frankie Faison, and Zeljko Ivanek. |
| picture above from www.mgm.com/hannibal/ |
| Plot: Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) has been discovered by a policeman (Giancarlo Giannini) after 10 years of hibernation living in Florence, Italy. The policeman tries to capture Hannibal himself for a 3 million dollar reward. Meanwhile, Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore) has been disgraced in the FBI for making some mistakes, which were not all her fault, including killing too many people. A vengeful Mason Verger (Gary Oldman) wants Hannibal to suffer for what he did to him, as he was the only survivor of a Hannibal attack. He decides to use Clarice as bait in his plan to feed Hannibal to some gigantic, man eating pigs. Thus, both Clarice and Lecter are in danger, but still play cat and mouse games before the climax throws them together. |
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| Critique: Hannibal is an engrossing, gothic thriller, with some carefully selected gorgeous scenery. It is not nearly the complex classic its predecessor was (if you don't know the name of that film by now you've been living in a cave, but think Jonathan Demme's 1991 Oscar winning film), but Hannibal will keep you entertained. Additionally, the characters are not as fleshed out, or advanced, and there is no overpowering dark mood. However, there is a slick, stylistic touch thanks to Ridley Scott. It is enough to keep the audience's attention. However he attempts sporadically to include a darker mood, something he can't consistently achieve. The script limits Scott in creating a consistently dark mood because it has so many cartoonish overtones. The screenwriters on board David Mamet and Steven Zaillian both apparently gave it their best shot, or close to it. David Mamet wrote the original screenplay which was thrown away in exchange for Zaillian's. Thomas Harris, who wrote the novel, may not have written a book as strong as its predecessor. Thus, the source material might have been limited. I have not read the book, but it received mixed reviews. Anthony Hopkins is as always fantastic, and he is naturalistic in a character that one would not attribute to that characteristic. Julianne Moore is fairly strong as Clarice, although Jodie Foster had a stronger script. At times Hannibal is very light, and even aimless. It does not have a clear cut objective, although there certainly are conflicts. The cinematography is stunning, as Ridley Scott regrouped with his Gladiator cinematographer John Mathieson. Scott also regroups with expert composer Hans Zimmer, who does well bringing off-beat rhythms and aids in Scott's attempt at an eery mood. My only complaint is that he is inconsistent, and there is no repetition, however I am no classical music expert. In conclusion Hannibal is entertaining, even though it does not live up to its predecessor. It is well performed, acted and directed. However, Thomas Harris's sequel book, limited the talented screenwriters on board. Nonetheless, I recommend this film. review by supernothingman |