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HANNIBAL RISING

With Gaspard Ulliel, Li Gong, Rhys Ifans , Kevin McKidd, Dominic West, Richard Leaf , Ingeborga Dapkunaite , Aaran Thomas, Helena Lia Tachovska

Directed by Peter Webber

It is Halloween period again (October 2007), and what better time to explore the origin of everyone’s favourite cannibalistic genius - depicted here with great flair, but no less severity.
The phenomenon created by Thomas Harris with his highly successful psychological serial killer novels first made it to the screen via Michael Mann’s
Manhunter (later remade under its original title Red Dragon). Anthony Hopkins literally sunk his teeth into the role of the twisted psychologist, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who playfully assisted agent Starling in catching an elusive killer (from behind bars in Silence Of The Lambs) and continuing their flirtation in Hannibal. With Hannibal Rising, Hopkins may be noticeably absent, but Lecter’s dark spirit (and its genesis) is revealed. The viewer is taken through his hard upbringing in Eastern Europe during WWII and how he became the complex animal we grew to love and hate. Director Peter Webber (Girl With A Pearl Earring) has crafted a fine film which may get less attention due to the audience’s expectation of Hopkins. In many respects this feels like an art film, but has enough lashings of blood and brutality to satisfy cinematic thrill seekers and gorehounds alike. This makes for a fine opening chapter to this fascinating character’s legacy.

Both
Hannibal and Hannibal Rising
are some of the many DVDs up for grabs at the 2007 South African HORRORFEST film festival running from 25 October to 1 November at the Labia Theatre (Cape Town) – www.HORRORFEST.info

5 / B
- PB


1 2 3 4 5 6
A - B - C






never let a review decide for you, but for those who need a rating, see the Flamedrop scale below
6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temperature
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A: Multi-Viewing Potential

B: Could Enjoy A 2nd Look

C: Once Should Suffice



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