The script here (by veterans David Mamet and Steve Zaillian) is extremely faithful to the novel — perhaps even more so than "The Silence of the Lambs." The only exceptions are a few deleted characters and a twist ending that makes at least a little more sense.

But the screenplay also plays to director Scott's worst instincts, as he throws in distracting quick-cut camera work and lets several scenes drag on for too long.

Then there's Scott's inability to control his cast. While Hopkins, the consummate professional, remains in creepy character, Moore appears to be imitating Foster (right down to the icy aloofness), and both Oldman and Ray Liotta verge on camp.

"Hannibal" is rated R for graphic scenes of gore and glimpses of gory crime-scene photos, violence (gunplay, as well as Hannibal's gruesome killings), brief use of strong profanity and crude sexual slang terms, glimpses of nude artwork and brief drug use (morphine, injected). Running time: 130 minutes.

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