Review of Hannibal Rising (2007) by Jim M — 03 Jul 2009

8 year old Hannibal Lecter watches as the horrors of WWII Eastern Front unfolds claiming the lives of his parents and leading to the gruesome demise of his beloved younger sister Mischa at the hands of collaberators. After the war he grows up in a Soviet orphanage before escaping to France and the care of his aunt. But the horrors of that Lithuanian winter stay with him driving him too seek a terrible vengeance on the men responsible for his nightmares...slowly, victim by victim, the young man dies and the monster is born.

A deceint revenge movie, but this is by far the weakest entry in the Hannibal series, by virtue of demystifing the killer, turning him from a dreaded compelling enigma, into just another crazed headcase unable to move forword. Thats not a knock on Gaspard Ulliel or even Thomas Harris. No I blame Dino de Laurentis (note if you have to twist the authors arm to get this made, thats probably a sign not to make it). Indeed the production and cast (Gong Li, is she really 41?hooooot. Dominic West, granted not given much to do, and Rhys Ifans, the sadistic white slaver/war criminal Vladis Grutas) are good. It just doesn't feel like a Hannibal movie, I'd prolly give it at least half a star extra if it wasn't connected to the franchise. Still worth a look if you haven't seen it.

BTW: I'm I the only one who feels it was a bullshit cop out to make all of Hannibals victims Nazi War Criminals?