Hannibal (2001)

Hannibal is a gorgeous Florence travel brochure that keeps getting interrupted by a much nastier movie. Ridley Scott films every piazza like the tourism board is paying him, and Anthony Hopkins strolls through as Lecter on an extended vacation, all tailored suits and opera nights. That’s the problem. The scary version of this character was a man behind glass who saw right through you. This one is a smug tourist with good taste. Julianne Moore steps into Clarice and does solid work, but the script keeps them apart for most of the runtime, which is like making a shark movie where the shark stays home. Gary Oldman is unrecognizable as a wealthy man with a grudge. The Florence chapter with Giancarlo Giannini’s detective is the best stretch. The dinner scene is where the movie loses a lot of people. It made $351.7 million worldwide on a reported $87M. A 4.8 because it’s beautiful and empty, and the menace got lost in the scenery. $496 says someone compliments your taste this week and you thank them a little too slowly.

What works: Ridley Scott makes Florence look stunning, and Giancarlo Giannini’s detective gives the middle a real cat-and-mouse spark.

What doesn’t: Lecter and Clarice barely share the screen, and the movie trades suspense for shock in a way that leaves it feeling empty.

Who it’s for: Hopkins fans who want more Lecter at any cost, and people who’d watch a thriller just for the Italian scenery.