Hannibal Rising DVD Review

"Hannibal Rising" reviews

DVD

Hannibal Rising

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2007-06-22 14:51:56

Provider

DVD Review

The Hannibal Lector franchise seemed to have been stretched as far as it could possibly go, but there are many fans who simply can't get enough of the gentlemanly psychopath.

Fortunately for them there's this prequel which, at the end of World War 2, sees young Hannibal's aristocratic parents flee their Lithuanian castle as the Nazis pillage all in their way. Caught in the crossfire, Lector's parents are killed, leaving Hannibal and his sister Micha to hide in a woodland cabin. However, when Nazis, led by the gruesome Grutas (Rhys Ifans), come searching for warmth and shelter they also find an unlikely meal.

What ensues is the tale of Hannibal's university years, under the tutelage of his incestuous, but otherwise noble, Japanese aunt. We become privy to the nightmares that will haunt the would-be doctor and his burning desire to exact revenge, literally making mince meat out of a few Nazis along the way (Hannibal the hero?).

Director Pete Webber (Girl With The Pearl Earring) must take much of the credit for managing to draw a little more chilling tension from the serial killer's past, particularly in this uncut version including scenes which many will watch from behind their fingers. Even if it lacks the impact of its predecessors, it's captivating nonetheless.

Bonus features include Making Of featurette, deleted scenes and audio commentary with Peter Webber & Martha De Laurentiis.