DVD
REVIEW: Hannibal Rising
05/26/07
SYPNOSIS: In the
most chilling chapter in the life of Hannibal Lecter, find
the answer to the most elusive question of all – why?
Reaching back to explore the origins of Lecter’s rage,
terror and savagery, the story begins in Eastern Europe at
the end of World War II when a young Hannibal watches the
violent death of his parents – a horrific moment that
changes him forever. Showing a cunning aptitude for science,
he hones his skills to exact justice on those that hurt his
family, igniting an insatiable lust within a serial killer
who was not born, but made.
FILM REVIEW:
Hannibal Rising based on a
book by Thomas Harris the author of The Silence of the
Lambs, Hannibal, and Red Dragon. Thomas also wrote the
screenplay this time around. In this movie we learn the
origins of Hannibal Lector. We learn he loved his sister
dearly and had a
loving relationship with his parents. Hannibal had a normal
and loving upbringing up until the 1940s when, during World
War II both the Soviets and the Germens invaded Lithuania.
When a fight between the Soviets and the Germans results in
the death of Hannibal’s
parents, Hannibal and his sister are left on their own.
However, Hannibal is most affect by an incident involving a
bunch of local mercenaries shortly after his parents death.
Director Peter Webber from the Girl with a Pearl Earring
does a good job handling the pace and look of the film. Rhys
Ifans (Notting Hill, Little Nicky) as Grutas the leader of
the local mercenaries provides a
solid supporting performance. Gaspard Ulliel does a
commendable job filling in the shoes of Anthony Hopkins for
the part of Hannibal lector.
However where this movie does suffer is in its main theme:
The “why” of it all. Why do people become who they are. What
events transpire to shape their values? While it is
interesting to see how early childhood
events affect what a person becomes, the movie tries to
oversimplify this by saying this event caused this and that
event caused that. This results in reducing Hannibal into a
much less complicated persona than we originally pictured.
If the goal of this movie was to demystifying one of
cinema’s more reveled villains, then the director has
certainly done his job.
VIDEO:
Anamorphic Widescreen -2.35:1. Good transition
between Theatrical and DVD
AUDIO:
Dolby
Digital 5.1 Surround - English
Subtitles - English SDH, Spanish - Optional
BONUS FEATURES:
Deleted Scenes with commentary by
director Peter Webber. Contains
5 additional scenes that were a good idea to cut.
Hannibal Lector: The
Origin of Evil A
16 minute documentary analyzing the origins of Hannibal
Lector.
Commentary by
Director Peter Webber and Producer Martha De Laurentiis For
the hardcore fans who want to know what was going through
the minds of the director and producer.
Designing Horror
and Elegance with Production Designer Allan Starski A
7 minutes glimpse following Allan Starski through his
wonderful sets
RATING BREAK DOWN:
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VIDEO |
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AUDIO |
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Review
By Milton Brayson
milton@smartcine.com
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