43 out of 51 people found the following review helpful:

Better than expected...

PaulaWestwood from , 19th February, 2007

This is a weird series of films, it starting with Silence of the Lambs in 91, then progressing to Hannibal in 2001, only to go back to Red Dragon (billed as the first chapter in the Lechter story) in 2002, and now we go back further to the very start, the forming of Lechter from child to monster. We were told to avoid this at all costs, but having enjoyed the previous outings, thought we would give it a go. I don't see why it has been given such poor reviews. Ok it is not as tense or psychologically worrysome as the previous encounters we have had with Lechter. But I think people are missing the point that this is the start of his strange ways, so being such could not delve into his latter oddities to far, as he is still developing his 'kinks'. It is still a very well made film, the locations and atmosphere are spot on, and it does set out the early years and plans for revenge of Mr Lechter very well indeed. I would definately recommend it as a title to rent.

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30 out of 42 people found the following review helpful:

*** May contain spoilers ***

Woeful

A Customer from Margate, 8th June, 2007

I was quite looking forward to this film, as i'm sure many were. The premise, to explain the origns of hannibal 'the cannibal' Lecter, was one that entrigued me, especially after Red Dragon and Silence of the lambs (Hannibal, like Hannibal Rising is best forgotten.) To delve deeper into the Lecter character and see how the beast was made is exactly what fans of these films desired. This however is not it. This film bears no resemblance to any of the other films. The only thing that the lead character shares with the previous offerings is the name. This film loses the intelligence and sublety of the character, the things that made the original films and books a success. What this film becomes is a shameful attempt to cash in on the popularity of Lecter, the overall feel of the film is that it has been rushed, there is no sense of the craft, or thought that made the originals classics. I would compare this film to the big screen version of Easton-Ellis's 'American Psycho', they have taken a great literary character and tried to portray him in film ignoring the sublety and nuances of the books. The result is simply gratuitus. In the case of 'American Psycho' and the Lecter novels the violence is a plot device, but the core of the story is the character - this film is just violence for violence sake, which wouldn't be so bad but it's all so cliched and predictable, (tarrantino has shown how to do a film like that, this shows you how NOT to do a film like that.) Intertwined between the violence is a pathetic attempt at a love story, between Lecter and his Aunt, who in 1945 France just happens to be japanese who teaches Lecter the way of the samurai (I kid you not.) and then the film decends into a farcical revenge story. The fact is the plot is so ludicrous,and the characters so formulaic and one-dimensional (not a criticism i thought I would ever use about Hannibal Lecter.) that you just don't care about any of it. Even viewed as a film in it's own right (ignoring the Lecter connection0 it is still terrible. The acting is poor (just slick the hair back and glare into the camera to show how eveil i am) from the lead, some of the supporting cast put in passable performances but most of the cast seem just as bored as the audience, with the notable exceptions of the child actors portraying the young lecter and misha who I felt gave good performances. The direction is adaquate in places, nonsensical in others (how many flashbacks can you have in a film of the SAME event, it wouldn't be so bad if there was any mystery before the flashbacks what had happened but it is blindingly obvious before the first flashback so what is the point.) Overall this film feels lazy, illconcieved and not thought out. Avoid, unless you really have to see it, but don't expect too much.

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20 out of 25 people found the following review helpful:

finger licking good

colely from from Isleworth, 8th June, 2007

this tells the story of the tragic begining to a young hannibal, you even start to root for him in his fight for revenge willing him on his way . great settings and acting too, why this got poor reviews beats me

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19 out of 23 people found the following review helpful:

Not quite a worthy prequel but still entertaining

Faye Walters from Worcester, 20th February, 2007

The speed with which both the novel and film for the Lecter prequel have been rolled off did concern me somewhat when approaching Hannibal Rising. This film does not match the intelligence of Silence and Dragon or the 'horror' in Hannibal. However, that does not make it a bad film. Hannibal Rising tells of Lecter's early life - the destruction of his family, his adolescence and his revenge. The story itself is quite simple, there are no really shocks or surprises for the viewer, everyone knows what to expect when they enter the cinema and that's what they get. It is all in how the story is told rather than the story itself. And I think it is told quite well. The flashbacks I felt were overdone somewhat but other than that the style and pace of the story were well suited to the topic - the pace being quite slow but that is how Lecter likes to play things so it seems appropriate. Gaspard Ulliel is never going to encapsulate Lecter the way Anthony Hopkins does but he does a good attempt as portraying how he would have been when so much younger and not quite as refined or controlled. Criticisms have been levelled at the film saying it is like a slasher film rather than the reserved and clever Hannibal we are used to but surely you would assume such things come with age. His eyes and smile in particular are very sinister and show the pleasure that he is experiencing as he exacts his revenge. Gaspard also does a passable imitation of how Anthony made Hannibal sound - especially when using words he considers vulgar. Li Gong's portrayal of Lady Murasaki was very enjoyable, the struggle she feels trying to reconcile her love for Lecter with her disgust at his deeds is well displayed but yet controlled. It was also good (and a surprise) to see Kevin McKidd appearing in this film, he is an excellent actor and I am constantly surprised he does not get more starring roles. The main criticism of the film is that it does feel very much like filling in the missing pieces - it does not tell us much we did not already know about Lecter. And the story itself is quite slight and straightforward which may leave some disappointed. Hannibal Rising is well worth watching to complete the Lecter story - but lets hope they stop here, I don't think there is room for any more Hannibal films (especially with the discrepancy between the endings in Hannibal the book and Hannibal the film).

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brilliant

A Customer from London, 25th February, 2010

i loved this sequel a handsome killer is treated horribly when he was a nipper when he grows up he sets out to find those resposible for killing his sister another helping of blood and gore which i enjoyed quite creepy so dont watch alone

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Hannibal rising

A Customer from London, 16th January, 2010

I didn't like the lead actor, miscast in my opinion, which was a bad start.
The story started out quite interestingly, but went steadily down hill, disappointing.
Don't waste your time with this film, Silence of the lambs was the best out of them.

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so-so film

A Customer from sheffield, 27th November, 2009

After reading the book, this seemed to be ok and not nearly as haunting as Harris's tale but good film to watch and the young hannibal was as eerie as Antony Hopkins.

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Hannibal Rising

crofty999 from , 18th September, 2009

I am not generally a fan of this genre but watched Silence of the Lambs because of Anthony Hopkins and was mildly curious about what happened before. The storyline is thoughfully crafted and reminiscent of a Greek tragedy given that we all probably know something of the later stories. Generally an underrated film in my opinion.

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