Hannibal

Review by MADELEINE SWAIN

Over the years Ridley Scott has found success in many genres, but now he's tried his hand at a new one.

Interestingly enough, it's one his brother, Tony, nailed almost 20 years ago with The Hunger. Yes, it's that rare film breed - the tasteful horror flick.

Like Catherine Deneuve in that 1980s vampire fest, the ravenous monster of Hannibal is a cut above your regular screen villain.

He is a cold-blooded murderer, yes, but with impeccable taste, so it is fitting much of the sequel to The Silence of the Lambs takes place in Florence where Hannibal (Anthony Hopkins) can indulge his love for art, music and architecture.

Ten years on though, Dr Lecter is champing at the bit to return to his wicked ways. However, all of Lecter's victims seem deserving of their fate.

So, although there are gruesome moments - naturally, the much-vaunted brain-eating sequence stands out - there is nothing very scary here. To be truly terrified, a viewer has to have some emotional investment.

We are not even nervous on Clarice Starling's behalf. This has nothing to do with Julianne Moore's cool performance; it is simply that since Starling was a rookie FBI agent (played by Jodie Foster), she has understandably hardened immeasurably.

When not even our sole sympathetic character shows fear of Lecter, how can we?

Hannibal
Rated: MA.
Australian release date: February 15, 2001.
Australian distributor: UIP.
Director: Ridley Scott.
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Giancarlo Giannini, Francesca Neri.
Running time: 135 minutes.
Website: www.mgm.com/hannibal