I thought that this flick will never be released in India, because of it’s content.But then the Indian Censors manage to surprise me constantly by their erratic opinions about movies.Any way I was delighted that this flick made it to the Indian screens.
So, Hannibal is back.So what is surprising about that?We already knew in the conclusion of the first part that he will be back.Sequels are the norm in Hollywood blockbusters.Jodie Foster is not there reprising the role of Clarice Starling in this sequel.Julianne Moore managed to keep me riveted.She has that competitive air about her.Ok, so what happens is that she is on her way to arrest a notorious drug dealer who is known to be a trigger happy person.So at the last moment the whole raid goes sour and Clarice is demoted by her FBI management to a lesser known area.Now it so happens that her progress or rather the lack of it is being avidly monitored by Hannibal who is securely ensconced in Florence in Italy.
He sends her dubious communiques saying that he is watching over her and her interest to bring him to book surfaces again.But then there is trouble in store for all concerned.Mason Verger(A badly disfigured Gary Oldman)is a millionaire who has been disfigured by Hannibal and who is lusting for revenge.So he announces a reward for the capture of Hannibal which is promptly noticed by a cop in Italy called Pazzi.He starts to make the necessary arrangements for Hannibal to be sent to Mason Verger’s farm.But then Hannibal is a genius.He knows what is happening.After this begins Operation Dispatch.And Hannibal manages to do this so efficiently that it boggles the mind.Of course, at times the movie resembles a hindi flick at times.But all is well.
Director Ridley Scott fresh after Gladiator’s success has made this movie.But nowhere his genius is to be seen.It is there in flashes.The acting by Julianne Moore is good and commendable.But it is Sir Anthony Hopkins who grabs you by the collar to pay attention to his grisly misdoings.He is too good.His diction is also perfect.Notice the scene where he proclaims to the cop that he relishes the thought of eating his wife.Hannibal has got a taste for high living and this is highlighted in the movie.The final scene where he goes overboard in his dining habits is not for the weak hearted.Squeamish folks do not dare venture into the cinema hall to see it.
The flick is a treat to watch as it is lovingly filmed.The music grows on you after some time.Very highly recommended for those with a strong stomach and who are broad minded to see this movie in the right perspective.