I’ve been on the lookout for a thriller to grab me as much as “The Silence of the Lambs” did. Some films came close, but thus far nothing can touch the impression that was made on me by my introduction to Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

Jonathan Demme did something intelligent back in 1990 when he directed “The Silence of the Lambs” (The film was released in ’91). He surrounded himself with the most brilliant people to help him produce the Thomas Harris adaptation. He had Ted Tally who masterfully handled what should have been a complicated

screenplay. He had cinematography so in your face that you could smell Dr. Lecter’s breath thanks to Director of Photography Tak Fujimoto, and of course, I would be foolish to leave out Jodie Foster, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, and of course the man who could get to you from behind the glass, Anthony Hopkins.

The film took away five Academy Awards including best picture, best director, and best actor Oscars for lead actors, Hopkins and Foster.

The film spawned a pretty decent sequel, “Hannibal” directed by Ridley Scott, and a prequel, “Red Dragon” directed by Brett Ratner.

So, 16 years later we have a pre-prequel. “Hannibal Rising” chronicles the birth of Hannibal Lecter’s stream of cannibalism.

Peter Webber takes the director’s chair, and most will remember Webber’s work on the 2003 film, “Girl with the Pearl Earring.”

Just to give a brief description, the film opens up in Lithuania during WWII where we find out what happens to Hannibal’s family. His mother and father are killed during a Soviet attack, and then through a series of events his sister is not just murdered, but eaten. I’ll let you see the film to find out how that occurs.

The film follows Lecter as he eventually becomes a medical student, and of course kills people in the process.

What can I say about this film? Well, besides the fact that the producers ripped of “The Crow,” not much. Don’t get me wrong, the film was very well shot, and the acting was actually quite good. Where I feel the film fails, is that it forgets what made “Silence” such a great thriller. You can’t shock people when every scene is a shocking violent scene. The shock comes after the moments of peace, and “Hannibal Rising” forgets this lesson. Someone please resurrect Hitchcock. This to me is the difference between a good thriller, and a gory horror film. “Hannibal Rising” is first and foremost, a horror film. If you like those movies, then maybe you will enjoy this.

However, while I feel the film is in fact a horror film at it’s core; there were many moments where I felt the film didn’t know what genre it was supposed to be. It went from WWII epic, to romance film, horror film, samurai flick, and at one point a James Bond movie.

In terms of story; they didn’t explain things very well to me. I felt like there were aspects missing that made Lecter who he is. When did he become a psychiatrist? When did he move to Baltimore? Why does he still kill? After he murders the last man responsible for his sister’s death, the film ends. Sorry for spoiling that amazing ending folks, but I don’t think anyone is going to mind.

If you’re looking for the next “Silence of the Lambs,” instead go rent “Manhunter,” the original “Red Dragon” adaptation, which isn’t a great film, but at least it’s closer to the Dr. Lecter that I knew from the books and films.

Congratulations Hollywood; you’ve taken an intelligent character and degraded him to Freddy Krueger’s level.

“Hannibal Rising” is rated R.