7¼ Pies

Reviewed by Limey

Plot Summary

Dr. Hannibal Lecter would later become known as Hannibal the Cannibal, but the story here is that of his youth and what influences and experiences shaped the man that he would become.

Review

As someone that enjoyed Silence of the Lambs, appreciated Red Dragon, disliked Hannibal and has never read the books, I sat down in front of my television confident that I would be an unbiased reviewer for this Lecter prequel. And I was. But unfortunately that doesn't mean I liked the movie more than anybody else.

That, of course, doesn't mean that I hated the movie, either. It began strongly and had me hooked through the emotionally brutal situations the picture presented me with, events so traumatic that they upset you as a viewer. With opening scenes such as that, you instantly start to see what as happened to unhinge our lead character to the point of madness occupied by the Lecter that we have met before

But not, in my opinion, to the point of becoming the Lecter that we have seen before – and that is the flaw of this so called ‘origin story'. As I watched the film unfold, I understood why he would seek revenge on those that have hurt him. I understood why he would turn to violence to protect who and what he had left in life. I understood what had driven him mad.

What I did not understand is why he would later become a man that joyfully kills innocents. Why he would become a man that enjoys eating innocents and delight in feeding them to others. Sure there is one plot point towards the end that many will say pushed him completely over the edge, but as there is absolutely nothing to suggest that the revelation is anything but the lies of a desperate war criminal trying to save his life, I fail to see it creating the Lecter of the previously released films.

And it is in its ‘origin story' aspirations, as well as in its shallow subplots and underused side characters, that the film falls flat. However, if you completely ignore those things, you will understand why I do not hate this film. That is because if you view the movie as nothing more than a straight up vigilante story, you will have a damn good time.

Quotes:

Inspector Popil: The little boy Hannibal died out in that snow… What he is now, there's no word for it… Except monster.

Hannibal Lecter: On behalf of myself and my late family, I thank you for coming.

Spook Factor: ½ Pie

There really isn’t anything here to ‘spook’ you as such, but the imagery of the initial events will certainly upset you and keep your mind active for a few extra hours tonight.

Antagonist: ¾ Pie

Well, here we must contend with the confusion over what antagonist and protagonist actually mean; the latter being the primary focus of the narrative and the former being those that present the obstacle in the narrative. Basically, Hannibal is the protagonist. However, I will mark both groups here –

Hannibal – You cannot help but route for him from the start, even during some of his more violent moments, as he is portrayed as a victim seeking bloody revenge, just as we might do if we had suffered like he has. He is an intelligent, calculating and ultimately terrifying character.

Vladis Grutas and gang – These guys, however, you cannot help but despise from the start, due to their contempt for anything but their own survival - and preferably, a wealthy survival. Even the one member who appears to show any remorse will anger you as he enjoys his position as head of a family and centre of a community.

Story: ¾ Pie

As a straight up vigilante story, it is a good one, and the scope and imagination is far more than would be given to any other cinematic serial killer you may name. However, it falls down thanks to the ‘origin story’ aspect which is a big fat failure.

Acting: ¾ Pie

I don’t know, maybe that score isn’t fair. Gaspard Ulliel and Rhys Ifans are simply phenomenal in their roles as Lecter and Grutas, and nobody is actively bad. However, the shallowness of the side characters was clearly obvious to the actors, who do nothing to invest life into their paper characters. They read their lines well.

Directing: 1 Pie

Now this is where the picture is really at its best. The period detail is spot on and Webber imbues every scene with a savage beauty, pulling all the right strings at all the right moments.

Soundtrack: ¾ Pie

Honestly, the soundtrack slipped by unnoticed for much of the movie. However, when my ears did wake up and pay attention, the music supported the action perfectly, and quick as they are to spot bad music, the score during those lost minutes must have been OK, too.

Special Effects: ¾ Pie

Really, what could the Special Effects of such a film be other than blood and guts? As the score suggests, they are pulled off in a gruesomely realistic manner. The success here leaks directly into that of…

Gore: 1 Pie

There is much of the gruesomely realistic gore to be found, and what’s more, it is gore that you care about! As fun as slasher gore can be, it is still better when you give a damn about what is happening.

Replay, Rewatch, Rewind: ½ Pie

Some of you out there may wish to give the flick a second go, just to see if you missed anything that first time around. Other than that though, it doesn’t seem likely that anyone will rush back to this one anytime soon.

Pros

Strong leads carrying a revenge story that makes you care about what is happening.

Cons

Origin story, subplots and side characters – my arse.

Final Word

All that can be said by me has been said by me in the above, but it is worth repeating. Watch this movie but switch off any expectations you may have for the origin aspect which simply clouds the otherwise primal nature of the story, and you will find there is something left to love.