Review of Hannibal (2001) by Jim A — 12 Nov 2012

I get shit for this left and right, but to me, this is the best of the Hannibal Lecter trilogy. And yes, I consider this a trilogy, beginning with Michael Mann's superior crime movie, "Manhunter", followed by Jonathan Demme's timeless masterpiece "The Silence of the Lambs", and finally stepping into the territory of superior greatness with Ridley Scott's epic, "Hannibal".

"Red Dragon", while a spectacular film, is a remake, and does not fall into this trilogies category, regardless of continuity breaks. Yes, it has Anthony Hopkins, Anthony Heald, and a glass cell, but it's still a remake. Just because Judy Dench played "M" in "Casino Royale" doesn't mean it falls into the same continuity as "Goldeneye".

Anyway...

This film has definitely been lost in the spotlight, seeing as it did not follow the traditional crime scene investigation format that most thriller movies have adopted. It's so much better than that; truly one of the most original and creative stories I've ever seen unfold on screen. Here we step out of the realm of trying to probe Lecter for his critique on a serial killer, and fall face first into his world, where he is not only hunted, but admired. The elegant nature of hero vs. villain is as strong as "Dr. No", and the characters are so real and alive you can't help but join them on their journey.

Aside from Anthony Hopkins, who has defined his own subgenre with the Hannibal character and reprised his role with absolute supreme perfection, there are many performances to be commended here. Julianne Moore makes a fabulous replacement for Jodie Foster, even surpassing her ability to portray the character in many instances. And of course, the absolute crown of the cast is Gary Oldman as Mason Verger, the only victim of Lecter to ever survive. Rivaling Lecter's own suave, civil nature, he steals the show as the stories true villain, who captures Lecter in an act not necessarily of revenge, but perhaps of arrogant and hopeless competition.

The story and characters scream for attention in a way no other Lecter story has achieved. Many may think this to be a boring entry, but not me. This, for me, is the most compelling of the Lecter stories, and one-hundred percent a Ridley Scott creation which can serve, not only, as an excellent finale to the series, but as a stand alone achievement and terrific love story.

Bon Appetit.