Movie Info
Genre
Drama, ThrillerRelease Date
February 09, 2007MPAA Rating
RStudio
MGMOfficial Site
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REVIEWS RATE:
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Cast and Crew
Director
Peter WebberProducer
Tarak Ben Ammar, Dino De Laurentiis, Martha SchumacherScreenwriter
Thomas HarrisStarring
- Gaspard Ulliel
- Gong Li
- Rhys Ifans as Vladis Grutas
- Richard Brake
- Kevin McKidd
Movie Story
In "Red Dragon" we learned who he was. In "Silence of the Lambs" we learned how he did it. Now comes the most chilling chapter in the life of Hannibal Lecter – the one that answers the most elusive question of all - why?
"Hannibal Rising" marks the first time in the award-winning series, best selling author Thomas Harris ("Red Dragon," "Silence of the Lambs") writes the screenplay – reaching back to explore the origins of Lecter's rage, terror and savagery.
The story begins in Eastern Europe at the desperate end of World War II. For many it was no longer a conflict of nations but one of individual survival – at any cost. A young Hannibal watches from only steps away as his parents' violently die, leaving his cherished young sister in his care. This horrific moment will soon pale in comparison to the atrocities he is forced to witness and perhaps survive as a result of.
Alone and without any means of support, he is forced to live in a Soviet Orphanage that once served as his family's beloved home. He flees to Paris to find his uncle has died but his beautiful and mysterious Japanese widow, Lady Murasaki (Gong Li) welcomes him. Even her kindness and love cannot soothe the nightmares and sorrows that plague him. Showing a cunning aptitude for science he is accepted into medical school, which serves to hone his skills and provide the tools to exact justice on the war criminals that haunt him day and night. This quest will ignite an insatiable lust within a serial killer who was not born, but made.
Gaspard Ulliel plays the fearsome Lecter, alongside Gong Li, Rhys Ifans and Dominic West. Peter Webber ("Girl with a Pearl Earring") directs.
Movie Stills
Reader's Reviews
I don't have the slightest idea where these "critics" come from and what they were doing while this film was playing infront of them, I have no idea. My guess would be picking their noses; missing what was actually going on. I've read reviews that stated that it had nothing to do with the rest of the series. Isn't that the point? The movie is showing us how Hannibal came to be. His childhood, his history. If it was 100% linked with the other movies, it wouldn't have been as interesting. The fact that he is just a kid in this movie explains what the rest of the complaints are about. "No ming games.. etc etc." Well, how much of a genius can a writer make him at his age? Honestly, you can't expect him to be the same man, having the same intelligence as the Hannibal in the other movies. He's still growing, changing, learning... For pete's sake.. open your damn eyes when you watch a film and while you're at it, use your brain. All in all I thought it was interesting and informative. It answered all the questions I had about Hannibal and I enjoyed it.
posted by MorganG on Jun 08, 2007