Hannibal
What?
Ten years after the famous Buffalo Bill case, Dr Hannibal Lector is still free and living in Florence under the name of Dr Fell. During some routine investigations, local policeman, Rinaldo Pazzi becomes suspicious and begins to suspect that Dr Fell may actually be Dr Hannibal Lector. With a huge reward being offered by the physically deformed billionaire Mason Verger, Pazzi decides to bring Lector down on his own and collect the money. Meanwhile Verger, one of Lecter’s only surviving victims, has some very interesting plans for Lector himself. With untold riches and resources at his command Verger plans to track down and capture Lector by any means necessary. So what of Clarice Starling? Well Starling is now a successful agent actively working in the field. When an F.B.I raid goes violently wrong in front of the watching public however, Starling is suspended from active duty, but with Lector seemingly coming out of retirement you can be sure that the two paths will cross once more.
The seemingly confusing and overly complicated plot of Hannibal lacks many of the key ingredients that made Manhunter and Silence Of The Lambs the classics that they are today. While Ridley Scott’s effort looks fantastic and contains some interesting aspects, it lacks the suspense, menace and out right scares of the previous films. The previous films had a feeling that time was running out, they both had you on the edge of your seat, hoping that either Will Graham or Clarice Starling would catch the killer in time – not here though. Starling is only really involved for familiarities sake and Hannibal Lector has been turned into a camp, over the top, cartoon style villain who strolls from one set piece to another spouting catchphrases. Hannibal is certainly not all bad; let’s not forget that it had an awful lot to live up to which proves to be a major hurdle to overcome. The Mason Verger character is a very interesting addition to the story, his revenge motives add a welcome twist to a plot that didn’t look as though it knew which way it was going. The acting, particularly by Oldman and Anthony Hopkins is predictably first rate and a couple of the main set pieces certainly entertain. Too much to live up to or simply not needed at all, Hannibal serves to disappoint but entertains enough to warrant a viewing.
Optics:
A brilliantly sharp image showcases just how good looking a film Hannibal is, and in 1080p is looks simply fantastic. The image has real depth and looks wonderfully natural and real at times thanks to some impressive fine detail even in the hectic and busy Fish Market sequence at the beginning of the film. Colours are spot on with some perfect skin tones and deep, deep blacks. Although the darker scenes fail to impress quite so much, overall this is an eye catching transfer.
Sonics:
The quality of the audio cannot be commented on without mentioning the Fish Market sequence which is shot like an old school John Woo shootout, minus the slow mo. The DTS-HD track provides numerous low bass moments with explosions going off, guns letting rip and cars colliding into each other, while the surrounds churn out ricochet after ricochet giving the illusion of being right in the middle of the action. Elsewhere Hans Zimmer’s score really shines and dialogue comes through loud and clear.
Extras:
The audio commentary by Ridley Scott is up to his usual standards – interesting and informative - but the making of documentary is absolutely superb, covering every aspect of the film from special effects, casting right through to the film’s premier. The set is finished off with a selection of deleted scenes and an alternate ending, all of which feature an optional commentary by Scott.
Well?
Disappointing but far from unwatchable, Hannibal entertains if you forget what has come before it. Disc-wise, Universal continue their fine form and release another, solid back catalogue Blu-ray release.
Tom Day
Ten years after the famous Buffalo Bill case, Dr Hannibal Lector is still free and living in Florence under the name of Dr Fell. During some routine investigations, local policeman, Rinaldo Pazzi becomes suspicious and begins to suspect that Dr Fell may actually be Dr Hannibal Lector. With a huge reward being offered by the physically deformed billionaire Mason Verger, Pazzi decides to bring Lector down on his own and collect the money. Meanwhile Verger, one of Lecter’s only surviving victims, has some very interesting plans for Lector himself. With untold riches and resources at his command Verger plans to track down and capture Lector by any means necessary. So what of Clarice Starling? Well Starling is now a successful agent actively working in the field. When an F.B.I raid goes violently wrong in front of the watching public however, Starling is suspended from active duty, but with Lector seemingly coming out of retirement you can be sure that the two paths will cross once more.
The seemingly confusing and overly complicated plot of Hannibal lacks many of the key ingredients that made Manhunter and Silence Of The Lambs the classics that they are today. While Ridley Scott’s effort looks fantastic and contains some interesting aspects, it lacks the suspense, menace and out right scares of the previous films. The previous films had a feeling that time was running out, they both had you on the edge of your seat, hoping that either Will Graham or Clarice Starling would catch the killer in time – not here though. Starling is only really involved for familiarities sake and Hannibal Lector has been turned into a camp, over the top, cartoon style villain who strolls from one set piece to another spouting catchphrases. Hannibal is certainly not all bad; let’s not forget that it had an awful lot to live up to which proves to be a major hurdle to overcome. The Mason Verger character is a very interesting addition to the story, his revenge motives add a welcome twist to a plot that didn’t look as though it knew which way it was going. The acting, particularly by Oldman and Anthony Hopkins is predictably first rate and a couple of the main set pieces certainly entertain. Too much to live up to or simply not needed at all, Hannibal serves to disappoint but entertains enough to warrant a viewing.
Optics:
A brilliantly sharp image showcases just how good looking a film Hannibal is, and in 1080p is looks simply fantastic. The image has real depth and looks wonderfully natural and real at times thanks to some impressive fine detail even in the hectic and busy Fish Market sequence at the beginning of the film. Colours are spot on with some perfect skin tones and deep, deep blacks. Although the darker scenes fail to impress quite so much, overall this is an eye catching transfer.
Sonics:
The quality of the audio cannot be commented on without mentioning the Fish Market sequence which is shot like an old school John Woo shootout, minus the slow mo. The DTS-HD track provides numerous low bass moments with explosions going off, guns letting rip and cars colliding into each other, while the surrounds churn out ricochet after ricochet giving the illusion of being right in the middle of the action. Elsewhere Hans Zimmer’s score really shines and dialogue comes through loud and clear.
Extras:
The audio commentary by Ridley Scott is up to his usual standards – interesting and informative - but the making of documentary is absolutely superb, covering every aspect of the film from special effects, casting right through to the film’s premier. The set is finished off with a selection of deleted scenes and an alternate ending, all of which feature an optional commentary by Scott.
Well?
Disappointing but far from unwatchable, Hannibal entertains if you forget what has come before it. Disc-wise, Universal continue their fine form and release another, solid back catalogue Blu-ray release.
Tom Day
Director:
Ridley Scott
Starring:
Anthony Hopkins
Julianne Moore
Giancarlo Giannini
Gary Oldman
Ray Liotta
Best line:
"That smells great."
Tagline:
"The silence is broken."
Description:
Universal
UK
Region free
Rated 18
2Hrs 4 Mins
2.35:1
VC1
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
(English, French, Spanish)
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French, Italin, Dutch, Danish, Portugese, Swedish)
Audio commentary with director Ridley Scott
'Breaking the Silence: The Making of Hannibal'
Deleted scenes with optional directors commentary
Alternate ending with optional directors commentary
Ratings: (Out of 10)
Film 6.0
Optics 8.0
Sonics 8.0
Extras 7.0
Overall 7.0
