Screenhead

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/sW-31cvnBPc" width="425" height="350"/]During the array of trailers while waiting for the main feature in the local cineplex, this new trailer for Hannibal Rising caught my attention. It’s no secret that the film is coming out, set for theatres next month across the globe. This one, a prequel to the series of films concerning the fiendishly insane Hannibal Lecter, charts the origins of the cannibal. Anthony Hopkins finally realised his limits and Hannibal is played by French actor Gaspard Ulliel.

Now the Hannibal films have hardly been astounding. I even found Manhunter pretentious and The Silence of the Lambs slightly over-rated. But this one seems to be an unintentional joke. From what we see in the trailer, we uncover what caused Hannibal to take the Human Cookbook a bit to literally. It seems that young, innocent, lover little Han witnessed his family being murdered before his very eyes. Sworn to revenge (”A pound of flesh”… really, Han, it’s metaphorical), Hannibal grows up with his hatred and lack of humanity to track down the murderers and stew them with some fava beans.

Hollywood has never been too interested in psychological truths, but sheesh. Last time I heard, being very angry does not turn you into the face-eating maniac we see in the ridiculous Hannibal. Such a state of mind comes from severe anomalies in the brain, whether through damage or a deficiency in the area that generate sympathy and empathy. Writer of the novels, Thomas Harris penned this script and book almost simultaneously. Anyone who has read the end of Hannibal won’t be surprised at the writer’s complete lack of understanding of psychology, and tendency to force bizarre twists just to shock. Expect the film to do the same.

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