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As a standalone film this was enjoyable. It is the prequel to the films Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs, and Hannibal. This one focuses on where the cannibal serial killer Hannibal Lecter came from. It starts out at a crucial circumstance during Childhood that would play a part in this, then it transitions into Hannibal as an eighteen year old. I'm speculating his age as I don't recall it being said or evident. Naturally the great Anthony Hopkins would not play this part as a teenager and into young adulthood. The actor that plays Hannibal in this is Gaspard Ulliel. I haven't personally seen him in anything before this or after it, but he did a fantastic job. He had huge shoes to fill and he knew this for a young actor. You can tell he really studied up on the mannerisms that Anthony Hopkins had embodied. He may not look like Anthony Hopkins, but he captures the eerie mannerisms and way of speaking to the tee.
Those that love the Hannibal Lecter films may especially be interested in seeing this if they haven't. I wouldn't put it up there as great as those three films, but it's still a fun ride to take. The only criticisms I mostly had with this was I felt it dragged a bit in his childhood back story, but I understand that it was necessary. I almost felt like it could've been shone in quick flashbacks, which it does throughout the film anyway. That would've been sufficient enough than the long drawn out beginning. Other than that, this was a great film and interesting to see where Hannibal Lecter came from and what made him the killer he became. I don't know how convinced some viewers might be that this is what propelled him, but it's still a good take to watch.
Hannibal Lecter is one of those mythological fictitious serial killers that has had people riveted by due to the popularity of The Silence of the Lambs book and film. Hannibal is a man that is advanced, intelligent and classy, but he graphically kills people in the most horrifyingly long drawn out ways to really teach them a lesson. It's a calm deliberate methodical way of killing. And the way he speaks is so frightening, but at the same time what makes him so iconic and loved is that he typically seems to go after antagonists that are either rude or just horrible people of society. Most sane people can get on board with thinking, "Oh that guy had it coming. He was an a-hole, so I'm glad Hannibal got him." In a strange sense he's almost like a vigilante in a way.
Even his Aunt who realizes what he's doing is both protective of him, but concerned at the same time. The actress is played by a chinese born actress, Gong Li. She does an incredible job just by the look on her face that you can read it as being both protective and caring for him with grave concern with how far he's going to go until eventually realizing that he's never going to stop. The fact that he's so cultured and intelligent seeing more than most people see makes him a fascinating character to watch. If you're not into graphic scenes, they are far and few between and don't dwell on it. You can turn your head for a second and you'll be fine.
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