Plot Details: This opinion reveals no details about the movie's plot.

OK, I'm not a movie reviewer, I'm a physician. To paraphrase a certain Star Trek character: "Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a movie reviewer!" But, you are reading, so here is my first attempt to review a movie.

Let me start by saying I was a huge fan of the original Silence of the Lambs with Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. I never read the book (or the preceeding one, Red Dragon), but as soon as the book Hannibal came out, I bought it in hardcover and couldn't put it down. But this isn't about the book (Thomas Harris wrote an incredible book, you should read it!), this is about the movie.

So, my first comment is that they did an excellent sticking to the story in the book. This is one of my biggest complaints about Hollywood: frequently when they make a screenplay from a book, they change the story too much. Not this time! When I read the book, I was really spooked. They stuck to the story incredibly closely in the movie! Good job!

Now for the acting: Sir Anthony Hopkins is wonderful, just as he was in Silence of the Lambs. His character Dr. Hannibal Lechter ("Hannibal the Cannibal") is creepy and scary. That's the point isn't it?!? I think Hopkins did just as well as in the first movie, despite what other people think.

Julianne Moore does a suitable job as Clarice Starling. I say suitable not as a complement. She was OK, but she couldn't compare to Jodie Foster's portrayal of the same character in Silence of the Lambs. Moore acts well, but she loses her West Virginia accent at times and I don't think there is chemistry between Starling and Hannibal like we saw in Silence of the Lambs.

An uncredited actor plays Mason Verger, Hannibal's nemesis in this movie. The character of Verger is Lecter's one surviving victim. He is described in the book to be quite frightful in appearance, and they did an excellent job with his makeup. I think he played the role well, but I will follow MGM's lead and leave him uncredited. You will know who it is, and if you are uncertain, check the credits at the end!

For Directing: Everyone wanted Jonathan Demme to return to the director's chair for this sequel, however we weren't so lucky. Ridley Scott does a more than acceptable job filling his shoes. Again, I'm not much of a movie expert or critic, however, I think he did OK.

As far as cinematography goes, I think this is what makes the film. The effects in the gruesome scenes (quite gruesome - my wife had to close her eyes) are really realistic. However, I don't think that brain looked too real, I've seen real brains (remember, I am a real doctor). The camera angles and filming of this movie are very well done (maybe that's directing).

The gorey scenes are just that, but as someone who read the book first and knew what to expect, I have to give it a 4 out of 5.

I guess that's all for my first movie review. Maybe I'll go back to doing medical topics. That is my specialty!

BTW, I've finally listed all my medical epinions on my profile page!

Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age