I'm in a very small group of people who genuinely liked the book. I even liked the ending. As for the movie, I liked everything about it but the ending. The "shocking twist" wasn't very shocking and I was somewhat let-down. I would have preferred the book-ending rather than what they did with the movie. I didn't really miss Jodie Foster at all. I like Julianne Moore as the new Starling and I really couldn't see Jodie Foster taking on this movie anyway--she's not missed. I do wish there was a little more emotion coming from Clarice, she seemed a little too hardened after 10 years. Anthony Hopkins is different in this film compared to the first. He's a little over-the-top, but it's acceptable and understandable (the book was over-the-top as well). Here we see Hannibal free and living life, doing everything he's truly passionate about, yet he's bored and he needs to play. There were just a few parts in the plot that make little or no sense, but I will not spoil them here. I really missed some characters from the book that didn't make the movie, mainly Margot Verger (Mason's sister) and the swimming eel. There is an eel in the film, but it's shown quite briefly and nothing ever comes from it as it does in the book. I also don't think they fully explained the true relationship and emotions Hannibal and Clarice have for one another, whether it's fear, dread, hatred, love, father-figure, teacher, etc. They could have done a little more with the story had they not been so eager to make the film so quickly. Go see this film for your entertainment, but if you want the real story, read the book.
Review of Hannibal
