STARRING: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta, Giancarlo Giannini,

LINE ON THE POSTER: His Genius Undeniable, His Evil Unspeakable, His Name...Hannibal

WHAT HAPPENS: 10 years after his escape from the mental asylum (and the events in the film Silence of the Lambs) Dr. Hannibal Lector (Hopkins) has established a new life for himself in Florence, Italy in the peaceful tranquillity of a museum. However one of his former victims, the hideously disfigured Mason Verger (Oldman), has plotted the most gruesome revenge for the doctor. So it's up to disgraced FBI agent Clarice Starling (Moore), who knows Hannibal a bit too well, to find him first. Everyone is heading for a potentially nasty end but who will it be and how nasty will it get?

ANY GOOD?: Well if you're expecting a retread of 'Silence of the Lambs' then you're going to be disappointed...but that doesn't mean this is bad movie, it's actually great, just different. Rather than being a serial killer thriller, like the last film, this is an extravagant gothic horror film that is dark and compelling. Director Ridley Scott (fresh from the success of Gladiator) has done a first class job, as the film is stunningly stylish, it looks absolutely fantastic and, although long, it's well paced. Tony Hopkins superbly hams it up as the infamous Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lector and Julianne Moore confidently steps into Jodie Foster's shoes as Special Agent Starling. It's not too gory but it's definitely very disturbing...so watch out as this is what 18 certificates were made for.

BEST BIT: A triple chase and pursuit around the famous Union Station in Washington...who will get who?

INTERESTING FACT: In Florence, Italy, where part of the movie was shot, you can buy a tourist guide called "Hannibal Lector. Visit the places of the city where he was."

LIKED IT, TRY: Manhunter, Bride of Frankenstein, silence of the Lambs or Seven