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- Hannibal - US DVD - 

No sequel is ever as good as the original. That statement definately applies
to Hannibal. Not many movies are better than Silence Of The Lambs anyway.
I heard quite a few things about Hannibal before I watched it.
None of the people I spoke to had the same opinion. I decided to watch the
movie with an open mind. I was not going to compare it to Silence Of The Lambs.
If I had done that, it might have been difficult to enjoy the movie. I focused
on two things before I hit my play button. Anthony Hopkins was again playing
Hannibal Lecter. Ridley Scott directed. 
Those two gave me the motivation to give this DVD a proper review.
Hannibal Lecter reappears after ten years of hibernation. He arrives in Florence,
Italy. Hannibal poses as Doctor Fell. He is given the position of a museum curator.
It is the perfect environment for Hannibal to show us his skills as an orator, 
knowledge of the arts, sophistication and worldliness. Though he has not surfaced
for years, the world has not completely forgotten him.
Mason Verger (Gary Oldman) is searching for Hannibal. Mason is a surviving victim 
of Doctor Lecter. He is horribly disfigured and bound to a wheel chair.  
Mason is offering a three million-dollar reward for Lecter's capture. Mason
has chosen quite a fate for Lecter. Hannibal is to be devoured by man-eating 
hogs.
Agent Starling (Julianne Moore) uncovers the plot to kidnap Hannibal. A Florence 
detective has found Hannibal. He is trying to cash in on the reward.
Overall, I really enjoyed the movie. Hopkins again gives an outstanding performance.
His talents as an actor are something for us all to cherish.
Gary Oldman also gives a fine performance as Mason Verger. Most of his acting 
is done through facial movements and voice inflections. It works.
Julianne Moore is pretty good as Starling.
Ridley Scott controls the movie and brings out the best of the story.
Scotts direction and Hopkins acting are the keys to this flick. 
Many other directors may have turned this into a boring, demented, and preposterous
production. Scott is just too talented to let that happen.
I felt that he correctly balanced the gore with the rest of the movie.
Another director might have used too much blood to hide some potential flaws 
in the story. Scott does not do that. He uses the strengths of the Actors, 
the script, and the locations to build a fine piece of work.
I recommend watching the movie but remember, keep an open mind going into it.
This movie stands on its own. Try not to think of it as a sequel. You will enjoy
it much better.
This special edition DVD contains 2 discs. I found all the extras to be just 
a little too much. In fact, I was somewhat drained by the time I got through 
all of it.
Ridley Scotts audio commentary was not what I expected. Scott is one of the most 
important directors of our time (if you have not seen Blackhawk Down, go see 
it right now). He has done some important films. That is what he is good at, making 
movies. His commentary needs some work. He was rather boring and not as insightful
as I thought he would be. A few things that he said are worth mentioning.
Scott discusses how a six hundred-page book is brought to the screen. 
Scene selection becomes very important. The key is to use the most important 
portions from the book. Then he has to ensure that the story is not lost along 
the way. Scott discusses Hannibals morality. In this movie, his victims all seem
to deserve their fate. He is not cruel or vicious in anyway to innocent people.
Hannibal is straight as an arrow when dealing with Agent Starling. Scott did 
not have a problem with Hannibal and Starling almost developing a relationship.
As he points out, everyone can be loved. Even Hitler had Eva Braun. 
Unless you are a true student of the movies, do not bother with Scotts commentary.
One extra is worth watching. An alternate ending is included in the deleted scenes.
I liked that better then the movies actual ending.
Watch the movie, it can be enjoyed. If you have about three hours that you 
want to waste, watch all the extras.

Reviewed By Scal Williams

Reviewed by Scal Williams

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