I don't put this in the same category as the 3 previous films with Hopkins (counting Manhunter out completely,, even though it is a very good film). This movie is another animal altogether. Not only bc this has a young actor playing a young Lecter,, but bc this is the origin story,, how he became the monster. This movie shows so many new sides to the character. A helpless child,, a traumatized teen,, a deranged young man trying to put his memories together to exact his revenge,,, and also, love. His love for the sister he lost, and also his widowed aunt.

If you are a fan of the Hopkins trilogy,, then you must see this,,,

I think the best way to enjoy of this movie is to think of it on it's own without the Silence of the Lambs in mind. Because as a story it is a very good WWII related historical thriller set in Lithuania and France. And the character of Hannibal is actually a sympathetic hero of sorts. You're on his side throughout the story since he has some justification and the retribution theme is surprisingly freshly done here. In that way it doesn't seem to gel with the later stories that much but that is because of the novels.

I was not a Silence of the Lambs fan thought it mostly gross horror - so I didn't see Hannibal Rising till 2013 on DVD. In Hannibal Rising the violence isn't that graphic - you know when to avert your eyes. Cannibalism is there but it's not so in your face. Anyway the violence mostly has a feel good element that makes it more acceptable.

Production is good. The historical European atmosphere and sets are authentic looking. Acting is good too. Gong Li is beautiful here and actually a useful as opposed to the usual helpless heroine with some goodness in her heart. Gaspard Ulliel is fascinating to watch just creepy enough yet sympathetic. Just have to put out of your mind that he could turn into Anthony Hopkins.

Surprisingly good on its own - even for non Silence fans.

HANNIBAL: Go on, Clarice.

CLARICE: I was thinking... a prequel. An origin story.

HANNIBAL: You say these words and you know what I sense? A little, pathetic, onanistic fantasy built on cheap anticipation. But please, enthrall me with your narrative skills.

CLARICE: Viewers need to see why you became what you are.

HANNIBAL: Read Lucretius, Clarice. Nequeunt oculis rerum primordia cerni... the first beginnings of things cannot be distinguished by the eye. The more you explain the back-story of a character, the more trivial and ham-handed it becomes.

CLARICE: We could say war criminals cannibalized your little sister in front of you.

HANNIBAL: Rather obvious, don't you think? The transmogrification of an ominous villain into yet another case of childhood trauma.

CLARICE: But here comes the interesting part: your hot Japanese aunt trains you in martial arts, so armed with a katana you start your revenge and-

HANNIBAL: ...goodbye, Clarice.