Hannibal

Special Edition (two-disc set)

Summary: "Hannibal" is a shocking sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs".  Though it is a sequel, thematically speaking, it is quite different from the original.  If you've seen "The Silence of the Lambs" and enjoyed it, you will like "Hannibal".  If you haven't then checkout "The Silence of the Lambs" first.  It is best seen in order.  Don't worry, "Hannibal" can wait.  For the squeamish, consider this a fair warning.  As a two-disc Special Edition DVD, "Hannibal" is packed with enough bonus features to make even the most discriminating collector satisfied.  This title is also the first DTS surround sound DVD for MGM Home Entertainment.  I hope that it is a good sign of things to come from future MGM DVD releases.
 

The Story

Anthony Hopkins returns as the notorious Dr. Hannibal Lecter, cannibal and genius extraordinaire, a character from the prequel "The Silence of the Lambs".  Julianne Moore plays the role of FBI special agent Clarice Starling, who interviewed Hannibal and made a name for herself in the bureau in the prequel.  Hannibal Lecter has been living in peace and harmony somewhere in Europe.  When agent Starling is unjustly blamed for a sting operation gone wrong, her ranking in the bureau literally drops overnight.  However, with the admiration and assistance from a mysterious stranger who apparently can pull political strings around Washington D.C., agent Starling is back on the case when Hannibal Lecter is put back on the FBI's ten most wanted list.  With the help of a few of Europe's finest detectives, agent Starling is able to locate Lecter's general whereabouts.  This time she gets to deal with him as he roams the free world, no longer locked behind that glass prison cell.  Will she be able to catch him and reclaim her status at the bureau?  Or will he have her for dessert?

Though "Hannibal" is a sequel, in many ways it stands in stark contrast to "The Silence of the Lambs".  For one, "Hannibal" portrays Dr. Lecter free in civilization, while agent Starling is portrayed at the most vulnerable point in her professional life.  Another point of contrast is the eerie romantic theme suggested in "Hannibal".  Anthony Hopkins is as good as ever, while Julianne Moore gives a solid performance in her part as the strong-willed and clever agent Starling.  This movie is not for the squeamish, since some thematic elements are quite violent and ughhh, just gross!  Though "Hannibal" is pretty shocking, I remember being shocked more with "The Silence of the Lambs".  As a sequel, "Hannibal" definitely satisfies.  I like it enough to recommend it.  Goody, goody!

The Extras

As a two-disc Special Edition DVD, "Hannibal" comes with the following bonus features:

Disc 1:

• Audio commentary by director Ridley Scott

• "The Silence of the Lambs" DVD trailers

• "Windtalkers" teaser trailer

Disc 2:

• "Breaking The Silence": five making-of featurettes including rare footage and interviews

• Multi-angle Vignettes:

  • "Anatomy of a Shoot-Out": a five-angle breakdown of the "Fish Market" action scene

  • Ridleygrams: a featurette on Ridley Scott's storyboarding techniques

  • Multi-angle exploration of the film's opening title design

• Deleted and alternate scenes with optional director commentary, including a never-before-seen alternate ending.  These scenes are entitled "First Market Aftermath", "Return to the Dungeon", "X-Ray Comparison", "Dear Clarice...", "Pazzi's Password", "Perfume Shop", "Romula", "Il Mostro Case", "Lecter Leaves Florence", "Barney and the Boars", "Coming to America", "Coveting Clarice", "Planning the Meal", "Alternate Ending"

• Marketing Gallery, which includes:

  • Theatrical trailers (2) and TV spots (19)

  • Rare production stills

  • Unused poster concepts

• Cast & Crew

• Production Notes

• DVD credits

This Special Edition is one of the best yet released by MGM Home Entertainment.  With about four hours of never-before-seen bonus features, this 2-disc set is sure to please even the most discriminating collector.

Video & Audio

The image quality of this anamorphic widescreen DVD is excellent.  The colors are accurate and saturated, while shadow detail is very good.  Both the DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks are well balanced and the surround channels are used aggressively.  The dialog is crystal clear.  "Hannibal" marks the first time MGM Home Entertainment has released a DVD title with DTS surround sound.  As a big fan of DTS, I hope that this is just the beginning of a new trend in premium MGM DVD releases.

 
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Associated equipment used in evaluation: Sony DVP-S7700 reference DVD player, Sony KP-61V45 61" rear projection TV (4:3 screen aspect ratio), Sony ES STR-V444ES A/V receiver, four B&W CDM 9NTs as left/right main speakers and left/right surrounds, B&W CDM CNT center channel speaker, Monster Cable M-series S-Video cable MSV-500, Monster Cable Interlink LightSpeed 100 (Toslink) optical cable, Monster Cable Interlink 400 MKII interconnects, Monster Cable Original speaker cables in bi-wire configuration with Monster Cable twist-on gold-plated banana plug connectors, Lovan Sovereign T HiFi audio rack, and Sony MDR-V600 studio monitor headphones.  Our home theater equipment was calibrated with the Video Essentials DVD.

Be sure to check out our Top 10 DVDs of the year 2001 and our list of this year's Oscar winners on DVD.

Site updated 5.30.2007

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PDA Version /
Mobile Edition

Specifications:

- 2-disc set

- DVD-Video

- Single-sided (disc 1)

- Dual layer (disc 1)

- Run time: approx. 131 minutes

- Subtitle: English, French, Spanish

- Menus: Animated

- Scene selection: Static

- Package: Keep case (single width)

- 32 chapters

Video Features:

- Anamorphic Widescreen, in 1.85:1 aspect ratio, or

- 1.33:1 full screen

Audio Features:

- English: DTS 5.1

- English: Dolby Digital 5.1

- Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1

- French: Dolby Digital 5.1

Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:
2001

DVD Release:
08/21/2001

Review Date:
08/26/2001

List price:
$ 29.98

On-line price:
$ 16.94 @ 800.com
(44% off)

Pre-order price was:
$ 16.94

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