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List Price: $12.95 | | Label: Weinstein Company
Salesrank: 11621
Released: May 29, 2007 |
| Our Price: $3.69 |
| Used Price: $2.44 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
(Horror/Suspense) The terrifying Silence of the Lambs prequel that reveals the history of the infamous Hannibal and how he came to be a cannibalistic murderer.
Description of Hannibal Rising (Unrated Widescreen Edition):
Though Hannibal Rising's Lecter (Gaspard Ulliel) is a pussycat compared to Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs, this sequel's story of revenge is grizzly enough to satisfy lovers of Thomas Harris's epic tale. After young Hannibal (Aaron Thomas) is forced to watch his little sister, Mischa (Helena Lia Tachovska), devoured by starving soldiers in his homeland Lithuania, Hannibal vows to avenge his sister's death by slaying those who committed not only war crimes against the Lecters, but also against other families during WW II. In detailing Hannibal's revenge plan, the film investigates the psychological implications of witnessing cannibalism to justify Hannibal's insatiable appetite for human flesh. The most interesting aspect of Hannibal Rising—its analytical connections drawn between Hannibal's childhood traumas and his murderous adult obsessions—is also the film's weak point. The links oversimplify Lecter's complex character. For example, though titillating to see flashbacks of Lecter's sister hacked up and boiled while Lecter visits a Parisian meat market, the reference is too obvious. One learns why he excels in his medical school classes dissecting cadavers, and we're given explicit explanation for why he slices off and eats his victims' cheeks. The story only complicates when Hannibal interacts with his sexy Aunt, Lady Murasaki (Gong Li). When Murasaki educates him in the art of beheading, the viewer sees Hannibal's sword fetish as a manifestation of physical lust. --Trinie Dalton
Hannibal Rising (Unrated Widescreen Edition) Reviews:
Farcical and campy. Very silly stuff for the sake of a guilty pleasure. 
2009-10-17 - The movie is simply this: Hannibal had a bad childhood where his mom and dad died in WWII and his sister was cannibalized by Nazis. From there the movie devolves into a string of silly scenes which work more as parody of the typical revenge flick than as a thriller.
And what scenes there are. The one which stands out in my mind was where his childhood home is converted into a boarding school, where he stands up to one of the bullies and is chastised by the headmaster for picking on bullies! Go figure! And it just gets worse from there.
I've mentioned that this movie is a guilty pleasure. But not because it's a great thriller or its narrative is coherent. Rather, it is easily understood to the point that it's so dumbed down that you can tell that the actors can't even bring themselves to take it all seriously. It's hysterical when it should be serious. For a thriller that's a rather dubious quality to have.
What a long way this series fell from the greatness of "Manhunter" and "Silence". Now all we need is "Hannibal: The Musical" to make the series complete.
Hannibal Rises To The Ocassion 
2009-09-24 - Some people have complained about Thomas Harris writing the screenplay as well as the novel to "Hannibal Rising"; well after the way David Mamet and Steve Zaillion's screenplay butcheded the end of "Hannibal", I am sure that he did not want HIS character getting ruined again. I throughly enjoyed watching Hannibal do away with those who truly deserved it; especially those who killed his sister. I absolutely enjoyed the way he cut down the butcher who was rude to his aunt. It is ashame that the series seems to have come to an end with this book/movie. I will always look forward to any adventures with the good doctor.
The Explanation of Our Sympathy and Understanding of Hannibal
2009-08-01 - Gaspard Ulliel is the young Anthony Hopkins in every move, look and determination to be savage. We see Hannibal and his sister Misha with their whole family in a rich, beautiful and loving family. As the movie begins director Peter Weber opens the movie to one of the most beautiful scenes in the woods by a lake with the Lecter Castle magically situated in the background. Hannibal and Misha are playing and we feel so close to these unknown children. They are giggling and laughing reminding me of days with one of my younger sisters who was too young to really communicate. Misha has such a wonderful innocence and trusting character that you wish she were your daughter.
Tragedy quickly strikes as fast as lightening and we are swept up into a war with our wonderful Lecter family's get away. We wish them to move faster. They finally reach their cabin and war breaks out as they have all been told where to stand while Hannibal and Misha may stay in the house. Russian planes attack the opposing soldiers getting water from the cabin's well. A plane crash hits an object while other planes fire on any one they choose.
Thus begins Hannibal's relentless protection of Misha as long as he can. Then the memories of life with Misha seems like a spike in Gaspard's heart as he searches for Misha's killers. Gaspard begins the construction of understanding Anthony Hopkins Oscar winning performance of the Hannibal we all know and hate/love.
Every scene explains why Hopkins did this or that or how he knows fine things. Gaspard is highly intelligent and has no free time but to build on the rage burning in Gaspard from his childhood.
This movie is thrilling to watch. My roommate and I know all the words. We have watched it at least 30 times and have enjoyed it more on each viewing. Tonight we listened to director Peter Weber and Ms De Laurentiis. They are just fantastic speakers concentrating on what we were seeing. I've listened to other directors who are lackluster or talk too much to their guests; we never learn the anatomy of each scene that we come upon.
Like the movie HostelHostel (Unrated Widescreen Edition). Even though there are 4 director commentaries he talks too much about Hollywood and film making and we barely ever learn more than what we see. Commentaries have to become more informative and people friendly.
Hannibal Rising is a masterpiece of collaborate effort and we have to thank it mostly to the wonderful writing of Thomas Harris. Now I'm tempted to read the book.
See Hannibal Rising and discover how Gaspard grows up to be the horrific Anthony Hopkin's as Hannibal. Believe me this ties all the know-hows and reasons for all the Hannibal movies.
Bravo to Gaspard Utilliel, Li Gong, and especially for Thomas Harris the writer and director Peter Weber. Hannibal is a unique and terrifying character. Hannibal Rising opens up the beginnings of Lecter and what is yet to come. Just fantastic!
The most important questions are never answered 
2009-06-21 - "Hannibal Rising" doesn't answer the most important questions. Such as: how does the liver of a war criminal taste with chianti? How many Hilfswillige can you consume at one single occasion? Why weren't there any starlings among the ortolans? And where were the French police when Vichy put little children on trains to Auschwitz?
And do Japanese women really have....?
Frankly, this movie really sucks. "The silence of the lambs" was a *very* good movie. "Hannibal" was not. Care for some delicious brain, inspector Starling? And now this...
Incidentally, I also wonder how a bourgeois defector from Soviet Lithuania could return to the USSR in the middle of the Cold War, using his real name? Perhaps Hannibal the Cannibal had connections with Beria?
One star.
Time for a snack...
You Know His Name. You know His Methods. Now, See How It All Began... "Good Evening, Inspector."
2009-05-29 - I just finished watching this film online and it's one of the best I've ever seen. I saw the theatrical version last week, but the Unrated version is much better. SPOILERS!!! I just wish the film had shown Hannibal killing the bully and Grentz, along with a close-up of him severing Paul Momond's head and I wish the camera hadn't cut away when the guy's throat explodes. I haven't read the novels by Thomas Harris, so I can't compare them, but the film is awesome. The performances here are just delectable, especially Gaspard Ulliel as Hannibal. I can't wait to see Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter in "Red Dragon" (I've decided to see the films in chronological order). I don't know why it's classified a a horror film. It should be termed a suspense thriller. Revenge is a dish best served cold. "Good evening, Inspector." Unrated. Should've been rated PG-13 for some violence and mild language.
