Forgotten Sequel To Classic Thriller Nearly Ruined The Franchise
If you’re a film fan, you’ve definitely seen the classic 1991 psychological horror Silence of the Lambs. While that film was a certifiable hit, characterized by some of the greatest dialogue in the history of cinema, delivered by two undeniable legends of the screen, even Silence of the Lambs wasn’t safe from lackluster sequel-itis in the early 2000s. Many fans don’t recall the 2001 follow-up film, Hannibal, and for good reason, as the film almost entirely undoes the mystique and magic of the 1991 classic.
Hannibal After Silence Of The Lambs
Since the moment Silence of the Lambs premiered, everyone involved with the smash hit wanted to get a sequel off the ground. Jodie Foster famously quipped that she and Hannibal Lector thespian Anthony Hopkins would greet each other by asking when such a sequel would materialize.
Likewise, execs at MGM and Universal Pictures were already hard at work sussing out directors who could helm a return to the characters of Hannibal and FBI serial killer hunter extraordinaire, Clarice Starling.
Unfortunately, after a full decade of getting their ducks in a row, the studio apparently didn’t feel it necessary to shell out the multi-million dollar salaries for both key actors, and shut Jodie Foster out of the sequel entirely.
Hannibal Recasts Jodie Foster
When the sequel finally arrived, starring Anthony Hopkins in the leading role and a lesser-known Julianne Moore as Clarice, Jodie Foster likely counted her blessings.
The film was rife with messy writing, baffling set-pieces, and truly bizarre editing choices. Foster criticized the film for betraying the character of Agent Starling, while explaining that Clarice had become like a real person to her through the sheer number of hours she spent studying the role and embodying the persona.
The relationship between Hannibal and Clarice takes an awkward and not believable turn as Hannibal progresses, and even the excellent supporting performers such as Gary Oldman, Frankie Faison, and Ray Liotta couldn’t make the clunky dialogue work for their characters.
Anthony Hopkins Back, But Movie No Good
While some audiences enjoyed seeing Hopkins reprise his iconic role, many critics considered the overexposure of Hannibal to be a death blow to the allure and mystery his character established in the final moments of Silence of the Lambs.
Today, Hannibal touts an embarrassing critic score of 39 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. I personally would argue that 39 percent is too high, as this film offers a few so-bad-it’s-good scenes which may cause you to laugh out loud.
Ridiculous Scenes In Hannibal
If you haven’t seen 2001’s Hannibal, you may think I’m making this up, but I promise you, the following scenes are 100 percent real.
At one point, Clarice tracks the escaped killer to a local fair, where he sits, awaiting her arrival on a carousel, before taunting her by caressing her hair as the ride rotates past her.
In another climactic moment, Hannibal and Clarice share a fine dining experience, as Lecter prepares a man’s brain-matter á la carte. While this is going on, the man sits at the head of the table, speaking in near gibberish as his brain is being removed from his cranium by the slice.
Streaming Hannibal
Hannibal is a laughably bad movie, and an even worse sequel to a classic piece of cinema history. Still, if you’re interested in checking the film out for a laugh, or simply to sate your morbid curiosity, Hannibal can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video today. Just be sure to go in with an open mind… and an empty stomach.
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