Very much along the lines of a warped fairy tale for adults; the story centers around a crazed inventor which for some reason is unable to obtain sleep so he takes to abducting children in order to rob them of their dreams, but his menacing presence only causes the children to feed him nightmares and so a quest is taken in order to find the one who does not fear him.
Wonderful plot, definately draws the audience into the alternate reality like atmosphere; as well as background information is slowly revealed about each character, thus giving each persona a more three dimensional feel. Also not so subtily implied pediophelic romance between Miete and One.
Definately a must see and if you enjoyed this title you should definately see: "The Cook, the Thief, his Wife, and her Lover"
Set in the WWII era, this fourth installment of the ever growing Lector legacy chronicles young Hannibal’s ascent into darkness. As we follow our fiendish anti-hero’s origin in the well bread world in which he was brought up, and witnessed the mindless slaying of his parents as well as the murder and feasting of his sister; acts which set off a methodical chain reaction of vengeance.
This installment however, falls short of the grotesque, psychological thrills set up by it’s predecessors; rather, this film is more an in depth analysis of the events which altered the life of Lector and reshaped him into the being most are well acquainted with. Though sutally analytical; the film also radiates symbolic undertones as well. (I.e. The rejection of Lady Murasaki; Gong Li’s character, which not only could have redeemed Lector, but save his humanity as well).
Despite the sudden change of tone in the franchise; casual movie goers will find disappointment due to the lack of action. Hannibal Rising is definitely an elitist film as opposed to the “low brow” films the “common man” is most comfortable with.
Gospard Ulliel makes his American debut in the title role, and if this twenty something actor seems familiar; audiences may recognize Ulliel from his short international breakout role in ‘Brotherhood of the Wolf’ (2001). It was this roll which got the ball rolling and allowed him to further pursue an acting career.
Filmography
Hannibal (2007)
The Last Day (2006)
A Very Long Engagement (2004)
Strayed (2003)
Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001)
In the role of Lady Murasaki, we find Gong Li; also no stranger to American and international audiences; Ms. Li first gained notice in the 1987 release ‘Red Sorghum, a widely publicized film which made her a household name. ‘The story of Qui Ju (1992) is regarded as her most noteworthy film. And if Ms. Li is still doesn’t seem familiar, one may recognize her from ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ (2005) or ‘Miami Vice’ (2006). Often regarded as an ‘actress of elegance and strong presence; capable of holding the interest of foreign and domestic audiences alike’.
Selected Filmography
Hannibal Rising (2007)
Miami Vice (2006)
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
The Story of Qui Ju (1997)
Red Sorghum (1987)
Hannibal Rising written by the reclusive, media shy Thomas Harris, born 1940 in Jackson, Tennessee; later relocating to Rich, Mississippi; Mr. Harris attended college at Baylor University in Waco, Texas on a journalism scholarship.
Harris began his career as a crime journalist. Inspired by the 1972 Olympics in which eleven Israeli athletes were killed; Harris wrote Black Sunday, which was adapted into the 1977 film depicting a terrorist attack on a football stadium; involving a blimp (not to be confused with ‘Black Sunday’ [1960]).
Bibliography
Black Sunday (1975)
Red Dragon (1981)
Silence of the Lambs (1988)
Hannibal (1999)
Hannibal Rising (2000)
The Hannibal legacy though quick to gain popularity did have its humble beginnings: the 1986 television film ‘Man Hunter’ (adapted from the 1981 novel Red Dragon). The movie’s reputation grew like wild fire and the 1991 theatrical release ‘Silence of the Lambs’ soon followed. ‘Hannibal (2001); the next installment in the series picks up from where the previous feature left off (this time picking up a “Beauty and the Beast” undertone). 2002 Brought the last real sequel; ‘Red Dragon’, which technically is a remake of the ’86 television movie ‘Man Hunter’(a feature in which Lector plays a minor role).
*Frankie Faison plays Barney, the orderly in all four films with the exception of ‘Hannibal Rising’.
Hannibal-ography
Man Hunter (1986)
Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Hannibal (2001)
Red Dragon (2002)
Hannibal Rising (2007)
Recommendations (based on similarity):
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The beginning (2006)
Ed Gien (2001)
Young Poisoner’s Handbook (1995)
