Hannibal
Hannibal is the new Dexter. While our morbid friend Mr. Morgan has taken an excruciatingly slow nose dive to become the most boring and predictable serial killer on air, NBC brings us what is probably the most ambitious show on network television. The first thing you need to know about Hannibal is the fact that not everyone will be able to stomach this (literally). Blood, gore, violence and nefariousness on screen has reached a new high with this show; it is strongly recommended that you avoid watching it if shows such like Dexter, True Blood or Spartacus can make you feel squeamish.
That being said, if you can handle it, watching Hannibal promises to be an awesome experience. As the name suggests, the show centers on none other than Dr. Hannibal Lecter of Silence of the Lambs fame. More precisely, the characters are taken from Red Dragon (by Thomas Harris), the first novel in the Hannibal saga, the sequel to which is Silence of the Lambs. Hugh Dancy plays Will Graham, an FBI “profiler” who has the uncanny ability to envision himself in the role of a psychopath. Lawrence Fishburne plays Jack Crawford, the agent who brings Graham into play after being baffled by a series of disappearances. Psychiatrist/serial killer/cannibal/definitive creep Hannibal Lecter is played by Mads Mikkelsen – seemingly, at first, the weakest element of the show. Sir Anthony Hopkins' trademark portrayal of Dr. Lecter is so familiar that Mikkelsen appears very alien, and at first does not seem to be a good fit at all. However, if you can bear with the show for a few episodes you will begin to understand that this is a younger, more energetic, less terrifying Hannibal; and Mikkelsen slowly starts to win you over.
The show's premise is simple: Will Graham is an FBI profiler who cannot pass the tests required to become a field agent due to his frail psychological condition. However, Agent Crawford refuses to let his singular talents go to waste, and therefore suggests Will to consult the renowned Dr. Lecter for help. With the aid of Lecter's psychiatric advice and under his guidance, Will is allowed to go on to the field. Will begins to unravel the macabre mysteries confounding the FBI; and the machinations of the secretly sinister Hannibal Lecter begin weaving even more intricate webs of violence and deception.
Hannibal is a show that is nothing less than spectacular. The cinematography is incredible, and the sheer visual genius of the show is enough to draw you in – if you have what it takes to put up with the plentiful and, simply put, sickening level of violence present. All those familiar with the Hannibal trilogy of novels and/or films will surely be curious and give it a try; while others who are new to the grotesque world of Dr. Lecter may find an entertaining crime/horror drama that has the potential to go a long way, being firmly grounded on source material that has spectacularly succeeded so far.
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