by Cookie N Screen
I believe that Hannibal is the reason that so many horror movies and adaptations are descending to the small screens. Bryan Fuller's re-telling of Thomas Harris’ villainous cannibalistic psychiatrist has achieved critical acclaim and a large flower crown adorned fandom. That first series even hooked this critic, who has loved, obsessively, Hannibal Lecter since she was fourteen because it was simply created by Lecter fans to introduce another dimension to the infamous character. Passionate and divine, the operatic horror television series enters a second season and it excels further than the first in a brand new way.
I believe that Hannibal is the reason that so many horror movies and adaptations are descending to the small screens. Bryan Fuller's re-telling of Thomas Harris’ villainous cannibalistic psychiatrist has achieved critical acclaim and a large flower crown adorned fandom. That first series even hooked this critic, who has loved, obsessively, Hannibal Lecter since she was fourteen because it was simply created by Lecter fans to introduce another dimension to the infamous character. Passionate and divine, the operatic horror television series enters a second season and it excels further than the first in a brand new way.
Will Graham, empathic and fantastic Forensic Specialist is in jail after his friend and therapist Hannibal Lecter framed him for murder. While the staggering evidence is against him, he is determined to prove his accusers wrong. Hannibal, however, is trying to maintain his innocence despite flaying and eating a lot of his victims. Though people were alluded to his techniques, as Will’s trial goes forward, brand new evidence comes to light. With murderers running amok, suspicions being raised and people ending up on the wrong end of a knife, can Hannibal’s pretence be kept up? With new characters introduced and fiendish plot coming to a boil, Hannibal season two does not hold back on the gore.
This season has much more of a slower pace and can feel repetitive compared to the ingenuitive and unique premiere season. And if you dig deeper into the story, there are some massive plot holes from the first series that have yet to be answered including Will’s mental illness that Hannibal was hiding from him has failed to be mentioned and seemingly gone thanks to Will’s incarceration. Plus the open ended finale has polarized the audience, some aghast with the sudden burst of attempted murder and shocking twists.
This sophomore season has struggled to maintain the freshman excitement yet became something entirely new in itself. Rather than focus on mystery of murders as Will was devilishly played like Hannibal’s harpsichord, it become a game of cat and mouse. Or mice. Again, played viscerally and stunningly well by the cast, including old favourites such as Lawrence Fishburne, Mads Mikkelson, Hugh Dancy, Caroline Dhavernas and new star Gillian Anderson, the enthralling drama comes from Hannibal’s mind bending games that leaves you breathless with this irritating . It’s less a question of “whodunit” and more of a loud screaming, pointing of “he’s a goddamn cannibal,” as many skirt around the issues. Fuller has made it delectable, with plots to devour and shocking conclusions for many characters. He also balances a vein of comedy gristle and in Hannibal, it works wonderfully. Special mention goes to Michael Pitt who plays Mason Verger and captivates with his irritating glib bratty heir.
This season has much more of a slower pace and can feel repetitive compared to the ingenuitive and unique premiere season. And if you dig deeper into the story, there are some massive plot holes from the first series that have yet to be answered including Will’s mental illness that Hannibal was hiding from him has failed to be mentioned and seemingly gone thanks to Will’s incarceration. Plus the open ended finale has polarized the audience, some aghast with the sudden burst of attempted murder and shocking twists.
This sophomore season has struggled to maintain the freshman excitement yet became something entirely new in itself. Rather than focus on mystery of murders as Will was devilishly played like Hannibal’s harpsichord, it become a game of cat and mouse. Or mice. Again, played viscerally and stunningly well by the cast, including old favourites such as Lawrence Fishburne, Mads Mikkelson, Hugh Dancy, Caroline Dhavernas and new star Gillian Anderson, the enthralling drama comes from Hannibal’s mind bending games that leaves you breathless with this irritating . It’s less a question of “whodunit” and more of a loud screaming, pointing of “he’s a goddamn cannibal,” as many skirt around the issues. Fuller has made it delectable, with plots to devour and shocking conclusions for many characters. He also balances a vein of comedy gristle and in Hannibal, it works wonderfully. Special mention goes to Michael Pitt who plays Mason Verger and captivates with his irritating glib bratty heir.
Yet again, though, it is the visuals that that triumph. Sinking your teeth into the scenic cooking scenes, the beautifully morbid murders that are excruciatingly intelligent for serial killers plus the enticing cinematography makes this a gothic romp set in a modern era. With different directors from David Slade (famed for the brilliant Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night ((we won’t mention Twilight…damn))) to Michael Ryder (Queen of The Damned must inspire some of the flawless cinematography) the second season is ripe with intense flawlessness and beauty unparalleled especially with the elaborate murders.
If you get your hands on this disc, you will not be disappointed. There are exquisitely narrated episodes with a dash of behind the scenes featurettes and a delicious Scott Thompson (who plays the hilariously droll Jimmy Price). But if that doesn’t satisfy you, and I’ve spoken about this before, it’s the bleeding gag reel that is dripping with delight. Watching the stoic and reserved characters dissolve into their silly actor counterparts is a wondrous desert to feast upon. Hannibal is a series on top of its poetic game, visually stunning and verbosely poignant. Though this season may have split the fans in two (as many felt it was underdeveloped and characters were flipped around,) this is a television show that you’ll be very rude to miss out on.
Extras:
· Audio Commentaries with Cast and Crew
· Featurettes: This is My Design, Bodies of Lies, The Style of a Killer, Killer Intentions
· Post Mortem with Scott Thompson Webisodes
· Gag Reel
· Deleted Scenes
Hannibal is out on DVD 22nd of September on Studiocanal Home Entertainment.
If you get your hands on this disc, you will not be disappointed. There are exquisitely narrated episodes with a dash of behind the scenes featurettes and a delicious Scott Thompson (who plays the hilariously droll Jimmy Price). But if that doesn’t satisfy you, and I’ve spoken about this before, it’s the bleeding gag reel that is dripping with delight. Watching the stoic and reserved characters dissolve into their silly actor counterparts is a wondrous desert to feast upon. Hannibal is a series on top of its poetic game, visually stunning and verbosely poignant. Though this season may have split the fans in two (as many felt it was underdeveloped and characters were flipped around,) this is a television show that you’ll be very rude to miss out on.
Extras:
· Audio Commentaries with Cast and Crew
· Featurettes: This is My Design, Bodies of Lies, The Style of a Killer, Killer Intentions
· Post Mortem with Scott Thompson Webisodes
· Gag Reel
· Deleted Scenes
Hannibal is out on DVD 22nd of September on Studiocanal Home Entertainment.
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