Starring Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Ray Liotta and Giancarlo Giannini. Rated R.   The much anticipated and highly controversial Hannibal is finally upon us.

Picking up the story of Dr Hannibal Lecter 10 years after his escape from custody, this beautifully filmed movie is bathed in darkness – thanks in the main to director Ridley Scott (Blade Runner). Set variously and in great contrast in the slums of Chicago and the antiquity of Florence, this dark mood is well placed to heighten the dark underworld of terror inhabited and created by H.

On the lamb, and hold up in a dark, dusty Florentine library, Hannibal is free to pursue his various passions – food and the arts. He spends his days quietly and efficiently avoiding his pursuers while savoring the sights, sounds and especially the tastes of the old world. Posing as an arts scholar and ensconced as curator of an ancient and respected library, he indulges his passions freely. Ever conscious of the need for anonymity, however, he maintains a lonely and vigilant life.

With the resources, power and reach of the FBI behind her, Agent Clarice Starling is hot on Hannibal’s trail. But, it would seem, she is forever just two steps behind the power and reach of the almighty dollar – the money behind the only victim ever to escape the clutches of the cannibal Hannibal – a lonely, faceless man – Mason Verger -- bent on revenge.

As fate would have it, a routine FBI request for information through Interpol sets a local Florentine policeman, Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi on a dangerous quest. Lured by the smell of a $3 million reward from the mega-rich Verger, and blinded by his greed, Pazzi attempts a capture only to find he is in much greater company and well outside his comfort zone.

Without giving too much away, Pazzi eventually finds himself following fatefully in the footsteps of an ancient ancestor.

When Lecter eventually falls into the clutches of his nemesis, Verger, FBI Agent Clarice Starling finds herself in a very difficult position. Sworn to deliver the doctor into the hands of justice, she cannot allow another, equally monstrous man, rob society of its chance to see justice being done and so finds herself in the rather dubious role of protector to the man she hates the most.

Hannibal has been a long time coming. Despite all the talk of sticking to principal and only making a sequel if the original cast could be convinced to participate, here it is minus the sultry Jodie Foster. But never mind, Julianne Moore does a marvelous job and for my money she was better in the role anyway. Anthony Hopkins, on the other hand, is irreplaceable as the mad doctor with the penchant for human flesh.

As for the huge controversy over the rating – in my humble opinion the newly awarded R is well justified. Fans of Silence of the Lambs will not be disappointed and lovers of gore will lap this up. For the weak of stomach, bring a barf bag.