Hannibal - Season 1-3 [DVD]

This series is based on the novels, changes have been made but in my opinion such changes are fine so long as they serve a purpose or add value to the episodes. I really enjoyed every moment of this series, I am going to be spoiler free and use a few food-related puns here and there.I really hope they can cook up few more seasons, season 3's ending left me on the edge of my seat! I suppose by now everyone ought to know that doctor Lecter is a man of refined tastes and he has certain inclinations that make him a scary guy. Him and Will Graham are involved with the FBI and basically Will is a gifted criminal profiler. Unlike regular crime dramas with regular crimes, Will has to profile the most insane, sick, dangerous serial killers, so the murders are definitely 'outside the box' and very grotesque at times. The show is rated 18,as a horror/ psychological thriller. You don't actually see people getting killed or experiencing violence that much unless it's supposed to be significant to the plot, but you do see alot of carnage in the crime scenes. So it goes without saying, that if any of this makes you squeamish, then don't watch it. I am the type of person who can eat while watching anything, surgery, blood, whatever. The only thing that is hard for me to watch is people's suffering(extreme emotional or physical), but since the people are already dead in the show it was ok and nothing put me off it. Funny enough, nobody else wanted to watch this series with me, people who love the game of thrones, Dexter, Saw etc(people I thought that had iron constitutions)thought they'd be fine with Hannibal but in the end they almost lost their dinner as it was too disturbing for them, so I enjoyed the show by myself sad to say, and no one wants to discuss it with me either. So if you think implied cannibalism is too much, then beware. I actually don't like GOT,though both series have violence and adult themes, GOT seems almost rough and crass, whereas Hannibal is eloquent and artistic in its carnage, I mean it doesn't seem anywhere as violent or brutal as other things. So there you go. You may or may not have the stomach for Hannibal.This is a show for intelligent folks, nothing is thrown in 'just because' and it's not really about fighting or action, there are times where the main focus is on the characters and the intricacies of their development and interactions, so if you find that sort of thing absolutely delicious, then you would like this, especially if you like to analyse everything and make connections between all the details. It's a very rich show in this respect, there are so many puns, allusions, foreshadowing of events, metaphors, it's a real masterpiece, so if you go in expecting a cheap thrill you'd miss out and also do the show a disservice. The acting is perfect, there are actually a few big names in there. Many characters were excellent!I might receive some hate, but I feel Mads is the best Hannibal ever. Hopkins feels dated and he added stupid things to his portrayal of the character (that weird noise he does for example), and it feels like a caricature of a person. He didn't come off too cultured to me, more like he was pretending to be cultured. Mads' portrayal is brilliant; a highly intelligent man, physically agile, sharp senses, refined taste, he felt more believable as a living, breathing, person. He was impeccably groomed and his suits were perfectly tailored, I daresay, Hannibal must have been one of the best dressed men on TV, I found myself looking forward to seeing what he wore for each scene. His Danish accent is toned down a bit, but there is enough of it to make him seem exotic and set him apart from everyone. Mads also brought a kind of charm and magnetism to the role, like watching a predatory animal like a lion for example, you marvel at its grace, strength and beauty, but in the end you fear it because you know it's is dangerous and you're on its menu! Hopkins had a deranged look that was given away in his eyes, Mads is more 'sane', which fits the character because he is supposed to be unique in that he doesn't fit any criminal profile. If Hopkins Hannibal turned up at your door, his eyes give him away and you'd slam the door and call the police. Mads' Hannibal however is such a calm, collected gent, you'd invite him in, turn your back to put the kettle on and then it'd be too late for you, he doesn't give anything away, and it makes sense considering how well Hannibal is supposed to hide in plain sight while being a very dangerous man.Production-wise, you can plainly see that alot was spent to create this series. The special effects are incredible, the gruesomeness of the crime scenes are extremely realistic. If you are interested in photography or are artistic in general, you would find many screen shots to be artistic. Sometimes the scene may be rewound in slow motion, or you get these gorgeous close up shots. You would never think a single orb of blood floating in slow motion could look artistic, but alot of it is. The scenes may be disturbing, yes, but it is hauntingly beautiful.There are many dinner scenes at Hannibal's home, and you see alot of him cooking and preparing meat of unknown origin. Apparently a real food artist was there on set, so you get some gorgeous minutes of food being prepared. I actually ate alot while watching the show. I also read that the actors would deliberately mess up the scenes so they could eat the food. The food looked exquisite! Yeah I know Hannibal eats people, but it's simply actors portraying characters and real proper food is used as a prop, so yeah, it made me hungry very often.The music was spot on as well. It's hard to describe it, but it would take on a very macabre or primal undertone depending on what was happening. It would be there floating unobtrusively in the background, so much that you don't really notice it, but when someone is fighting for their life or something similar, the music would morph into this weird macabre thing that was surprisingly effective.All in all, I thoroughly LOVED everything about this series, it was so beautifully written, the acting was top notch, the effects were perfect, the show had such a high quality of production. Honestly, the characters really stay with you, when I finished season 3, I couldn't watch anything else for a few weeks because I enjoyed the show so much. Please, please, please, we need more seasons! This show is now in my top favourites of all time.

Great show, ended far too prematurely.

I'D KISS THAT CHEEKY FELLA ON THE MOUTH, CANNIBAL OR NOT HE ATE IN BOTH WAYS

My box was sadly damaged but the dvds seem fine. I’d definitely buy it if you were considering

Nothing to dislike

Love the series when it first came on TV. Watched it again even better than I rembered. You can't go wrong if this is your thing.

I wasn't happy with the bizarre, horror-like scenes at the crime scenes, but it was part of the story, which was brilliantly written.As a psychologist, I found the conversations extraordinary. A bittersweet story. They made me like Hannibal Lecter so much that I was rooting for him almost the whole time, but at the same time, I felt very sorry for Will, who sacrificed his life for him or because of him. Fantastically good adaptation of the original book.Mads Mikkelsen and Huge Dancy played their role extraordinarily well.

Such a good programme - personally I love loved series 1 & 2 but thought the first half of series 3 got a bit too arty! It did then get seriously seriously good though for the second half! Even when super arty it was still better than most things on the tellie! This is brilliantly made - well acted, intelligent and looks fantastic although it may put you off meat for a while! Seriously wish they had made another series as it is compelling tv. Not for the faint hearted though as it is a bit bloody and also you do need to pay attention as they don't spoon feed you - this is what makes it so good (along with the acting). I only knew the story from silence of the lambs which comes much later than this so you don't have to be a particular fan of the books to enjoy the series. Highly recommended. Update - I have since rewatched several time and appreciate it more each time