Hannibal MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 1/2 Content: -4

In this eagerly awaited sequel to the Oscar-winning SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, Anthony Hopkins returns as Hannibal The Cannibal Lecter, a deranged psychopath who has managed to stay out of the limelight for ten years. His only surviving victim, the now deformed Mason Verger (Gary Oldman), uses a vast fortune to track him and finally has a plan to bring Hannibal out of retirement. The plan involves FBI agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore), who spent considerable time with Lecter just prior to his successful escape. When shes involved in a stake-out that goes bad and involves a shooting, Verger pulls the necessary strings to get her placed back on the Lecter case. He hopes that when Hannibal finds out, his affection for Starling will cause him to seek her out. While the first film worked off of a disturbing atmosphere, this sequel seems more content staying in a darkly amusing and comedic vein. While that doesnt change the nature of the subject matter, the movie carries a lighter tone. Hopkins continues his fantastic characterization of Lecter, but the overall quality of the story doesnt match the intensity of its forerunner.

The ultimate paradox, Lecter appears to be a refined member of the upper echelon of civilized society. However, his cannibalism shows a truly savage side. This savage side emerges on several occasions in the film, often in sickening ways. These include encouraging a drugged man to cut his own face off, and scalping another man before he eats from the exposed brain. A scene of boars devouring people is particularly disturbing. Others are killed in more conventional ways, like shootings and stabbings. However, like director Ridley Scotts GLADIATOR, these incidents spill copious amount of blood on screen. Although a couple of briefly shown drawings include female frontal nudity, very little sexual content occurs. Foul language is limited to five obscenities and two regular profanities. However, these along with severe and graphic violence spoil the appetite for HANNIBAL.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91606