|
|
 |
| |
The rise of a monster franchise
HANNIBAL RISING
Directed by Peter Webber
Certificate 18
THIS is as gross as you would expect a background story chronicling the early years of human flesh-munching serial killer Hannibal Lecter.
We discover young Hannibal grew up in Eastern Europe and his family were slain during World War II.
The war has left him traumatised – and watching ghouls do nasty things to his sister has destroyed his mind.
All he wants is revenge on the war criminals, a gang led convincingly by a sinister Rhys Ifans, and nothing is going to stop him getting it.
It is interesting to consider the background to a character who has become the cinematic personification of evil.
This film suggests that a ruinous teenage experience is to blame for later killing sprees, a view that does not always find favour with American screen writers who like their baddies to be simply bad because of their genes and not their environment.
Lecter travels to France to live with his aunt, a compassionate and well-educated type. But despite the highly cultural atmosphere he revels in, Lecter’s memories compelled him to bury his ghosts by burying bodies. Much blood is then spilt.
It has not got the same panache as Silence of the Lambs in terms of being a thriller, but Lecter’s character is so compelling (this is the sixth film made about him) that this prequel to Silence of the Lambs will be welcomed by those who like a little bit of horror, but I wouldn’t recommend it as a Valentine’s Day treat for the loved one.
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
