Hannibal (2001)

Director: Ridle Scott
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Ray Liotta


Review:


Taking a break from zombie movies, I decide to watch Hannibal (2001). Hannibal is a sequel to the horror movie classic Silence of the Lamb (1991) made 10 years later. First of all, I do not like this movie. The first time I watch this movie, I fell asleep half the way. Watching it again didnt change my impression, but just gives more insight on why this film doesnt work.

The main plot of this movie is watching two parties compete to search for Dr. Lector. Clarice Stering, now a FBI agent, suffers much blame from the media on an operation went awry, and wants to capture Dr. Lector to savage her career. A former victim of Lector, Mason Verger, who is a rich guy, also wants to have his revenge on him, and announces a handsome reward on the one who gives information that leads to Lector's discovery.

Clarice sitting there, listening to tapes. Interesting?

This maybe an interesting plot if done right, but in this case it is not. What Clarice do to find Lector's whereabout is just listening to old tapes of the dialogues in Silence of the Lamb. What is the point? One would say, maybe this gives Clarice revelation on Lector's personality or character that would help her catch him? Nope. She does not discover anything new. She knows Lector is in Florence later because he writes a letter to her. So all the scenes contribute nothing at all. Hey I am a big fan of Silence of the Lamb and I can recite all the dialogues from Lector in the first movie, and if I want to hear Anthony Hopkins say it again, I would watch the first movie again.

"That seemed like a good idea at the time."

Another character that was in search for Lector, Mason Verger, is a complete idiot. So this is how Lector "tortured" him. Lector gaves him a drug, politely asked him to cut off his face and fed to the dogs. He did not theatened him or use any force, and yes, Verger did exactly that and is now disfigured. He just took one tiny little pill and were high enough to cut off his own face. There is no reason for you to have revenge Verger. You own stupidity did that to yourself.


And how could I forget to talk about Hannibal Lector himself. He is classy, knowledgable, and yet so menacing and perverted. He can smell which brand of hand cream Clarice is using and no doubt is able to smell our fear or nervous. He draws scenes that he had not been visited for at least 9 years, but the picture is as detailed as if he was sitting there drawing it. With the slighest hint he can reveal the truth of our lies, and it is enjoyable watching him solve the case to gain his freedom at the same time play with Clarice Stering. All these establishment was through the dialogue, and every line of dialogue is interesting and a new discovery, in Silence of the Lamb I mean. In here, the establishment was made by making him shopping in a fragance store, giving a lecture on art history and attending to a Opera. The movie tries to extend the character, but it was so trivial, boring and ineffective. I was already nearly aslept half of the way.

Ok this is creepy as it is impressive.

Besides, the love subplot with Clarice just ruined the whole character for me. I always thought that Clarice Stering is just a plaything, and him helping Clarice is just a game. He remained manner because he is a fine gentleman and he may found Clarice interesting as a junior in criminal psychology. "People will say we're in love." in a joke or tease, and in any way I cant see that he seriously love Clarice, not even talk about sacrifice a hand for her. Now his impression being a cold-hearted, human-eating killer is gone. Thanks.

Ridley Scott had made some awesome films but he has a nasty habit of turning a movie into a history lesson, such as American Gangstar and Robin Hood. Even more complains can be discussed and I barely scratched the surface. The characters are all stupid, the direction evokes no emotion, and it is just too long. Hannibal, though not the most boring one of Scott's work, is definitely not his finest moment.