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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2001 - 9 Scott's Hannibal a pale successor to original By John Foote HANNIBAL (Yer) Directed by Ridley Scott Now in theatres Remember the opening 30 minutes of The Silence of the Lambs (1991)? The audience was given a great deal of information about the serial killer Hannibal Lecter at the same time FBI 'trainee Clarice Starling was receiving it. We heard about his genius, his vicious- ness, his mind games, and that super IQ long before we finally met him. When Clarice began the long walk down the cor- ridor in the basement of the jail for the criminally insane to question Lecter, we were fascinated and repelled as was this brave young woman drawing ever closer to his cell. There, standing erect in the middle of the cell, thick plexiglass separating him from any human contact was Dr. Hannibal Lecter, known as "Hannibal the Cannibal." Lecter is cordial, polite, and obviously remarkably intelligent, not quite the seri- al killer we expect. He strikes up a con- versation with Clarice, slowly drawing per- sonal information out of her in exchange for clues as to the identity of a new serial killer that Lecter may know. They play a curious game of cat and mouse, she always aware, like the audience, of what he is capable of yet being charmed by his sinister grace all the while. We only saw him in action twice in The Silence of the Lambs, because director Jonathan Demme trusted both the screenplay and his actors. He knew that the audience had heard enough about what Lecter had done, and was capable of doing, that dis- playing gore was not at all necessary. - "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti," spoke volumes about Hannibal Lecter. Of course the performance of Anthony Hopkins had a great deal to do with the success of the first film. Lecter became a part of movie lore, surpassing Norman Bates as the screen's most enigmatic psy- chopath. Unblinking, radiating intellect and charm, Hopkins created a fascinating character in just 22 minutes of screen time. The Silence of the Lambs would win five Academy Awards including best pic- ture, best.actor (Hopkins), best actress (Jodie Foster), best director, and best screenplay, becoming just the third film in movie history to sweep the maior cate- gories. It would finish just behind Terminator II: Judgement Day and Beauty and the Beast as the highest moneymaker of 1991. In addition to the Academy Awards, the New York Film Critics hon- oured the film with the same five awards, as did the National Board of Review, mak- ing it clear that The Silence of the Lambs was indeed a masterpiece. The picture, based on the novel by The menacing Hannibal (Anthony Hopkins), in Ridley Scott's sequel, unfortunately, ain't what he used to be. Thomas Harris would redefine the horror genre in much the same manner Psycho (1960) would. Monsters did not have to be vampires, werewolves or anything super- natural, but rather, could be the boy next door, or worse, your own doctor. With Hannibal, the sequel to The Silence of the Lambs, we have a film that merges some of the greatness of the first film with the cheap thrills of the slasher film genre, which for the audience may be disappointing. Hannibal is gory, weak on plot, and betrays the character of Hannibal Lecter, making him just a cut above Freddie Krueger, and hockey- masked Jason. With each killing, there is a quip or pun that is supposed to be amus- ing, but instead become old hat very quickly. The film takes place 10 years after the disappearance of Lecter, a decade in which the good doctor has lived quietly, a fugitive from the police, and out of the public eye. When the FBI re-opens his case, Lecter feels the need to return to public life, but in-a sense is himself the prey when a horribly disfigured former victim makes a decision to hunt and kill Lecter. Please turn to page 12 SPIRIT Academy The Friday Feb. 23rd 8:00 pm. Lindsay Little Theatre presents "Agnes of God" THE 118 CR RUATRTR! ARTS WEEK Showcase 7:00 pm. 'Maple Leaf Classic Country Music Monday Feb. 26th 10-12 pm. Music Workshops 1-2:30pm. High School Band Concerts 6:30pm. Library Event Arising Phoenix Wednesday Feb. 28th 10-1 pm. Leading Tone Arts Productions presents 6:30 pm. Library Event 7:00 pm. Poetry & Songwriting Saturday Mar. 3rd 2:00 pm. Academy Theatre 3rd Annual Spirit of the Arts Week call 324-9111 for updates Box Office (705) 324-9111 Toll Free 1-877-888-0038 Fax (705) 324-2992 email: academy @ on.aiba.com www. lindsaytown.org/academy 2 Lindsay Street S., Lindsay LH YEE] Lune, ON & Filter: replace engine oil, and filter, lubricate chassis includes topping up of CHR Tire Rotation: remove wheels and rotate for even tire wear and longer life Front 8 Rear Brake Service: 509° Expires: February 28, 2001 most cars and light trucks taxes extra mspect brakes, remove clean and lube caliper pins and slides a0 Point Inspection: visual inspection of hrakes, exhaust, lghts, undercarriage and supply written report A AR"