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Contains strong bloody violence
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How did Hannibal Lecter become a liver-munching serial killer? Prequel Hannibal Rising attempts to explain, and while you may not be convinced, you'll certainly be grossed-out. Orphaned in Eastern Europe at the end of WWII, the traumatised teenager goes after the war criminals who did unspeakably nasty things to his sister. French heartthrob Gaspard Ulliel takes the title role, and Gong Li and Rhys Ifans co-star in this disturbing drama-cum-horror that pales in comparison to The Silence Of The Lambs.
Batman and Darth Vader have both had their damaged pasts revealed: now it's the turn of Hannibal The Cannibal in this prequel based on Thomas Harris' recent novel. A grittier, more European take on story, Hannibal Rising stands out for another reason: Hannibal isn't really the villain. He's wronged, vengeful and messed up, but we've no reason to fear him: only the nasty men who hurt Hannibal's family should be worried - principally brutal ringleader Grutas (Rhys Ifans). There's suspense as Hannibal resolves to hunt each one of them down, and the elaborately gruesome results are liable to provoke nervous, incredulous laughter.
"A STRAIGHTFORWARD REVENGE DRAMA"
Unfortunately, there's none of the dark humour of The Silence Of The Lambs and the dialogue's often simplistic. Gong Li is a visual treat as Hannibal's particularly beloved aunt, but like Ulliel, her character is a bit thin. A straightforward revenge drama with added gore, Hannibal Rising is worth a watch out of curiosity, but don't expect it to give you deep, probing insights into the psychology of everyone's favourite cannibal.
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Hannibal Rising is released in UK cinemas on Friday 9th February 2007.
