TNMC
This site’s design is only visible in a graphical browser that supports web standards, but its content is accessible to any browser or Internet device.
Finishing up with my double story on Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal No, I haven't seen Manhunter and I consider Red Dragon to be the true version of Harris' book.), we take a look at Ridley Scott's take on the cannibal...
HANNIBAL
Movie: 7/10
Now, I'm a big fan of Lambs, so I was a tad disappointed when I looked at this as a sequel. I read the book, which I enjoyed right until the infamous end when I hated it. The movie takes just about everything there is to work with from the novel and turns it into a pretty decent movie. While I am not totally pleased with the ending, which personally I found lame, it is better than that of the novel's. Enough rambling, I'll take a look at the plot. It's been a number of years since Hannibal Lecter escaped from Tennessee and he has taken refuge in Italy. A former disfigured patient decided to exact revenge on the good Doctor and sets a trap which involves feeding Lecter to a pack of boars. Meanwhile, Starling, played this time around by Julianne Moore, is between a rock and a hard place with the F.B.I. during a stakeout and she is put back on the Lecter case. These three stories weave together and drive off of each other, which is quite nice. However, I personally wish Starling and Lecter would have shared more screen time. The direction is fairly tight and has it's own style, which adds to the feel that this should not be viewed as a sequel in any light. My one major complaint is that of the ending as well as Jack Crawford's absence, he drove Starling and should of been looked at again. Perhaps Verger's sister should also have made an appearance. This is one of the better films I've seen all year. "It's always good to try new things."
Video: 10/10
Absolutely perfect, the blacks are black and the whole tone of the film is perserved greatly. I really enjoyed this transfer and have little to bitch about.
Audio: 10/10
DTS and 5.1, great mixes and just like the video, I have a hard time bitching. I enjoy the score for the film a great deal and it comes out perfectly as well as in the shootout action opening.
Extras: 10/10
I only had this DVD for a day and barely had time to finish checking out the extras. The commentary is superb and dives into all aspects of filmmaking. Scott does these things quite well. The documentary is also superb and covers everything I can think of involving a movie. A really great documentary. A nice assortment of deleted scenes. Multi-angle featurettes. A lot more stuff too. I'm having a hard time remembering. What else? Ohh, my one gripe is that you couldn't watch these infamous deleted scenes edited into the film. But that's not a bad gripe. A fully loaded 2 disc set.
Overall: 9/10
Decent film, great transfers, chocked full of extras. I am pleased to share my profession with the good Doctor Lecter.
Stay tuned for next week's look at two Criterion discs: Albert Maysale's Salesman and Grey Gardens. Coming Soon: A MEMENTO DVD REVIEW. Be sure to keep e-mailing me with your questions and concerns (requests also)... Check out my site for more info about myself: http://www.fxfilms.cjb.net. Also included is a Steven Soderbergh fan site...
What do you think? Talk about it on the Forums
