"Hannibal"

It took ten years to get Hannibal Lecter back to the screen and it was well worth the wait.

I did not read the book so I won't make any comparisons to that and the only comparison that I will make to "Silence of the Lambs" is that "Hannibal" is not quite as great, but there are not many movies that could ever compare to "Silence of the Lambs".

Ridley Scott has taken over the directing job for Jonathan Demme with Anthony Hopkins returning as Hannibal Lecter and Julianne Moore replacing Jodie Foster in the role of FBI Agent Clarice Starling. Hopkins delivers another Oscar worthy performance as he shows us how ten years has changed Lecter. Moore plays the Starling role with confidence, making it her own, not trying to copy Fosters Oscar winner from the first film.

"Hannibal" takes place ten years after "Silence" with Starling now a top agent in the bureau and with that she also has enemies in the bureau, namely Ray Liotta who has a hand in putting her on suspension. The supporting cast is superb including Liotta, Giancarlo Giannini and an amazing performance by Gary Oldman as Lecters lone surviving victim. But this movie is Hopkins showcase, he delivers every line with power and grace and you can't take your eyes off of him. I will warn you that the movie is extremely gory and is not for the weak of stomach. I don't even recommend having a box of popcorn during some of the scenes.

"Hannibal" is definitely worth seeing and is a great follow up the masterpiece that was "Silence of the Lambs". The final scene of the film is also the most disturbing which happens to fit perfectly with the whole film. Blood, Guts and Gore, Hannibal the Cannibal returns in all his Glory.