"Hannibal" was clearly one of the most anticipated films in the history of cinema. In three days it made $58 million at the box office, the third best opening weekend of all time. Thankfully, it deserves every penny. "Hannibal" is astoundingly good and a more than worthy follow-up to "The Silence of the Lambs."
Based on the unjustly loathed but best-selling novel of the same title by Thomas Harris, "Hannibal" picks up ten years after Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins") became a free man. He is now living in Florence, Italy, sucking in all of the culture and history that surrounds him. After all, Dr. Lecter is a man of impeccable taste.
Meanwhile, Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore) is still an FBI agent. She remains haunted by Dr. Lecter, admitting that she thinks about him every day. That isn't the extent of her problems either. Thanks to a drug bust that goes from bad to worse, Starling is in serious trouble with the FBI.
Back in Florence, an Italian police officer named Rinaldo Pazzi (Giancarlo Giannini) comes into contact with Dr. Lecter, who he knows as Dr. Fell. Pazzi is investigating the disappearance of a man whose job Dr. Fell ended up getting.
With some good policework, Pazzi discovers who Dr. Fell really is. He also learns that a man named Mason Verger (an unrecognizable Gary Oldman) if offering $3 million for information leading to the capture of Dr. Lecter.
It would be a crime to give away any more than that. The previews make no secret of the fact that Dr. Lecter and Clarice come into contact again, but I won't spoil anything here. But it's worth mentioning how wonderful it is.
Director Ridley Scott (Oscar nominee for "Gladiator") has crafted one of the most beautiful movies in years. The man is a visual genius. "Hannibal" is absolutely stunning to look at. He uses a lot of long shots to glorious effect and is aided by the masterful cinematography of John Mathieson ("Gladiator").
No less important is the work of composer Hans Zimmer ("Gladiator"). It is hard to remember the last time that music complemented a movie so well. Zimmer's score is haunting, gorgeous and nothing short of extraordinary. It will stay with you long after you leave the theater.
"Hannibal," adapted by David Mamet ("State and Main") and Steven Zaillian ("Schindler's List"), is tense and suspenseful. It moves along briskly and builds up to a jaw-dropping finale, which is sickly funny, frightening and disgusting simultaneously. You will not believe your eyes.
The acting is superb, led by Hopkins magnificent performance. He is charming, brilliant, amusing and terrifying. Also outstanding are Giannini, Oldman and Ray Liotta, as Starling's nemesis.
Moore, one of the finest leading ladies around, is a bit of a letdown. She's good but a little cold and distant. She plays it too somber and subdued at times. But it's still a great character and Moore is more than passable.
"Hannibal" is not for the squeamish. There are moments of graphic violence that some will not be able to handle. That said, "Hannibal" is a captivating adult thriller you won't soon forget.
Grade: A
"Hannibal" is now playing everywhere.
