The Silence of the Lambs
I guess it takes a serial killer to know what a serial killer does. However, should the bad guy be caught or would we rather eat the cast and crew of the movie so that we never see crap from them again? Let's find out.
Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is an FBI trainee. She's assigned to talk to a serial killer called Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to see if he can help capture a new serial killer simply known as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). As a serial killer, Hannibal was known to eat his victims. So he's put behind glass so that he couldn't escape. Buffalo Bill is known to skin his victims in order to make a suit for himself. With each visit to Hannibal, Clarice learns a little more about Buffalo Bill. He won't give her any information unless she tells him a little more about herself. The little information he does give is in riddles that she has to figure out. So Clarice is off to try and capture Buffalo Bill before he kills again.
Right away, let's get started talking about the characters. Most notably, Hannibal. Hannibal is the exact thing most people would think of when they think serial killer. He's smart, cunning, and knows just about everything about anyone that he cares to know about. The first time you see him, you follow Clarice into this decent into Hell scenario, passing numerous gates and guards around each turn. Once they eventually reach the hallway where Hannibal is at, you pass several other crazy killers only to witness a calm man that seems to have something hidden that he doesn't want anyone to know. When he speaks, he speaks in very quick and short sentences. His voice has an eerie feel behind it. He knows what's going to happen next and is always ready for it. One of his most shining moments is during the third act where he escapes. He kills the two guards and turns their bodies into decorations for the area. Killing is an art form to him. He's psychotic in every meaning of the word. Then there's Clarice. She's the intelligent agent. She's top of her class and really shows it. She gives Hannibal what he wants without letting him get to her. She seems to be able to outsmart the other agents from time to time, which really make her character more interesting. Thanks to these two being the main focus of the movie, it makes the story that much more fun to watch and Hannibal a lot more creepy. There's also tons of memorable moments throughout the entire movie from pretty much every character.
However, not everything is perfect here. Buffalo Bill is the main villain of the movie, but he seems to be an afterthought. He comes off as more of a goal than a villain. He's just the driving force for Hannibal and Clarice to meet. He just isn't that scary or even creepy. Yeah, a guy that skins people isn't creepy. Then there's the ending where Clarice breaks into Buffalo Bill's house which just turns into your typical cop inspecting house scene. She busts all the doors open and almost gets herself killed when Bill turns the lights off. It kind of takes away from all the build up to this scene.
So should you watch The Silence of the Lambs? Of course you should. It's a fantastic crime drama that really focuses on the characters causing them to be memorable and lovable, even if you don't want to admit loving a cannibal.
Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is an FBI trainee. She's assigned to talk to a serial killer called Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to see if he can help capture a new serial killer simply known as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). As a serial killer, Hannibal was known to eat his victims. So he's put behind glass so that he couldn't escape. Buffalo Bill is known to skin his victims in order to make a suit for himself. With each visit to Hannibal, Clarice learns a little more about Buffalo Bill. He won't give her any information unless she tells him a little more about herself. The little information he does give is in riddles that she has to figure out. So Clarice is off to try and capture Buffalo Bill before he kills again.
Right away, let's get started talking about the characters. Most notably, Hannibal. Hannibal is the exact thing most people would think of when they think serial killer. He's smart, cunning, and knows just about everything about anyone that he cares to know about. The first time you see him, you follow Clarice into this decent into Hell scenario, passing numerous gates and guards around each turn. Once they eventually reach the hallway where Hannibal is at, you pass several other crazy killers only to witness a calm man that seems to have something hidden that he doesn't want anyone to know. When he speaks, he speaks in very quick and short sentences. His voice has an eerie feel behind it. He knows what's going to happen next and is always ready for it. One of his most shining moments is during the third act where he escapes. He kills the two guards and turns their bodies into decorations for the area. Killing is an art form to him. He's psychotic in every meaning of the word. Then there's Clarice. She's the intelligent agent. She's top of her class and really shows it. She gives Hannibal what he wants without letting him get to her. She seems to be able to outsmart the other agents from time to time, which really make her character more interesting. Thanks to these two being the main focus of the movie, it makes the story that much more fun to watch and Hannibal a lot more creepy. There's also tons of memorable moments throughout the entire movie from pretty much every character.
However, not everything is perfect here. Buffalo Bill is the main villain of the movie, but he seems to be an afterthought. He comes off as more of a goal than a villain. He's just the driving force for Hannibal and Clarice to meet. He just isn't that scary or even creepy. Yeah, a guy that skins people isn't creepy. Then there's the ending where Clarice breaks into Buffalo Bill's house which just turns into your typical cop inspecting house scene. She busts all the doors open and almost gets herself killed when Bill turns the lights off. It kind of takes away from all the build up to this scene.
So should you watch The Silence of the Lambs? Of course you should. It's a fantastic crime drama that really focuses on the characters causing them to be memorable and lovable, even if you don't want to admit loving a cannibal.