I've been a fan of the franchise long before the show came into being, and it did not disappoint! I love how beautiful everything is shot despite all of the horror and gore. The motives and emotions are intricate and the acting is a thing to behold. Yeah, the third season could use a bit more plot to buff out the poetry but really, I can't fault it much. This is also one of the very few shows that has had a satisfactory ending!

After I started this series, my mouth was open, it was very good. I was amazed, the acting, the script, everything was perfect.

I am going to say something heretical, so hold on to your seats. I thought that the Hannibal Lecter character in the movie "Silence of the Lambs" was extremely overrated. Subtle, he was NOT, that's for sure. Because of this, I really, really like the new incarnation of the doctor in this Bryan Fuller series. He is sophisticated, clever and, most importantly, a credible villain--not some bizarro dude going on about chianti and fava beans! In fact, the sophistication and style of this show is why I think it's a winner.

I must point out, however, that "Hannibal" is NOT a show for everyone. Children should NEVER watch it nor should people who are sensitive and would be upset or offended by the carnage in the shows. Some of them are REALLY tough to watch--such as the mushroom people or the angels. Now I am NOT saying don't watch it--but maybe you should use common sense and not watch. Or, do like my daughter does, just avert your eyes when the gore hits a particularly high level...and it often does!

Very well written, acted and directed--this is almost too good for network TV.

FYI--My daughter has the Blu-Ray for season one. According to her, some of the shows are MUCH more graphic on DVD--such as the one with the musical instrument killer.

Having seen the films based on Thomas Harris' novels, I couldn't for the life of me imagine an actor other than Anthony Hopkins for the role of Hannibal Lecter (although I had seen - and liked - Brian Cox' take on the character in Michael Mann's 'Manhunter' which was released before 'The Silence of the Lambs'). Apart from that, I didn't see the point in retelling a story that had already been told very well on film – and with outstanding actors. For those reasons, I deprived myself of the pleasure of watching 'Hannibal' until the second season of the show started - but boy: am I glad I finally got over myself and did start!

To those who haven't watched it for the same reasons I didn't I can only say: knowing the storyline from the films (or the books) doesn't spoil this in the least; the writers cleverly play with your expectations and they have taken enough liberties that you can never tell what is going to happen. And Mads Mikkelsen makes for a terrific Hannibal. The cat and mouse play between him and Hugh Dancy's Will Graham is a thrilling joy to watch; the conversations between the two are an example of surgically precise writing where every word counts and could - literally – be a concealed weapon (the writing in general is top notch, especially the dialogues).

Visually, this series is unlike anything I've ever seen; the opulence of the images seems to be directly inspired by the aesthetic of oil paintings; whenever food is served or you see the interior of Hannibal's mansion you're reminded of still lives from the Dutch Baroque; certain dreams, visions and hallucinations even recall the works of Hieronymus Bosch. Don't get me wrong: first and foremost this is a gory crime show about an exceptionally well educated and highly intelligent serial killer (and not some "art show") – albeit one with a very unique look.

My verdict: 'Hannibal' offers gory thrills along with amazing images, fascinating characters and an outstanding cast. Perhaps the most visual – and visually daring – crime show ever. 9 stars out of 10.

Favorite films: http://www.IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/

Lesser-known Masterpieces: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

Favorite Low-Budget and B-movies: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls054808375/

Favorite TV-Shows reviewed: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls075552387/

This is more than a TV show, it is a work of art. The cinematography is amazing, it is filmed beautifully and every image is a well-thought-out picture. The dialogues are deep and full of subtle meaning, as the characters mostly try to understand each other's way of thinking or try to manipulate one another.

Throughout the series Hannibal and Will get to know and understand each other and as a viewer you get to experience the same thought processes, as empathy is a major theme in the show.

The images with dead people are so horrific but gorgeous at the same time that you find yourself mesmerized by the beauty of death. Also, the series finale is in my opinion one of the best ever. It is truly an amazing show.

Mads and Hugh are perfect for the roles they capture in this series. They balance that fine line of love and disgust and adoration for one another - it's so beautifully done I just wish this would of continued on after season 3 Definitely not for the weak hearted in regards to gore

Anthony Hopkins can be proud of having created one of the first original horror characters of the postwar era. His Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter has rightfully earned a place in the pantheon of legendary monsters. Hopkins was only the second actor to have won an Academy Award for playing a villain, the first being Fredric March for his remarkable performance in the rarely-seen "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1931). The American Film Institute lists Hopkins' Lecter as the #1 screen villain in movie history.

When I first heard about "Hannibal" the TV series, I cringed. Each installment in the film franchise had been exponentially worse than the one before. After Ridley Scott, Brett Ratner, Peter Webber--and even Thomas Harris himself--had tortured Hannibal near to death with their increasingly idiotic sequels to "Silence of the Lambs," a TV series seemed like the sad, humiliating final nail in the doctor's coffin. Would this be "Dexter" redux, or another numbingly unoriginal CSI ripoff? Or worse, a tedious 5-season story arc following the personal trials of a young, idealistic, ruggedly handsome, perfectly stubbled Lecter as he spends 65 television hours' worth of time that I will never get back transitioning from noble psychiatrist to vengeful but justified killer? (Note to self: cock hammer, place barrel against temple, pull trigger.) Thankfully, "Hannibal" is everything I expected it not to be.

I wasn't sure Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen--or any actor, for that matter--could play such an iconic character without being overshadowed by its grand progenitor (i.e., Hopkins), however "Hannibal" is so beautifully written, acted and directed that it transcends the inevitable comparisons. Hopkins played Lecter with hellish glee. He was the serial killer as prankster, a thinking man's Joker without the facial scars. Mikkelsen's Lecter is quieter and deadlier. He's almost like an alien predator, or a velociraptor in human form. When he smiles, you're probably about to die. Mikkelsen is chilling, funny, and blazingly brilliant. He totally makes the role his own, but that's not to take anything away from Anthony Hopkins. Asking who makes the better Lecter is like asking who's the best Dracula, Lugosi or Lee. They're both great, they're just different.

I dislike police procedurals. They bore me. But "Hannibal" is different. There's something special about it. Bryan Fuller respects the characters and he understands the fans. He's given Lecter his first legitimate resurrection since "Silence of the Lambs," and I am completely hooked. (And to think that we still have Eddie Izzard and Gillian Anderson to look forward to!)

Fantastic show. High kudos to NBC for having the courage to air it.

First of all, this has the BEST script EVER! a script worth to be learned by heart, the delivery, the word choice are so aesthetic.

Then, the story is compelling, the BRUTALITY is tempting, the Music is fascinating, the elegance is inspiring, the cooking is appetizing ...

Hannibal characterizes the natural perfection, his facial expression is so cold and lifeless yet shines with an unearthly abnormal confidence. He's a multiskilled person who has an encyclopedic knowledge, He honors his carcasses by displaying them in an artful piece and also by not wasting their organs.

This series will make you have several EYEGASMS and EARGASMS !

This is not for the simple minded half wits of course !!!

This show is exactly what I have been waiting for. It's unique, beautifully dark, and incredibly artistic and every sense of the word. The entire cast are amazing incredible actors! Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lecter, who knew someone could portray him better than Anthony Hopkins. I've seen all three seasons over and over again and I am not bored! All I could ever ask for is a season foue and hopefully many more!

Many will argue that Hopkins is "the best and only" Hannibal, much like folk declare allegiance to Bond actors. But I like to think of each incarnation as seperate and of its time. There's no doubting that Hugh Dancy's Will Graham is streets ahead of Ed Norton's earlier portayal. Hannibal is easily my favourite Lector telling. It benefits from two things; The depth of field afforded the story by being a TV series and the ability to tap and reference the rich tapestry of what's went before. Hannibal the TV series is exceptional, a prequel that feeds directly into a narrative that feels fresh and yet familiar. Because of the intricacies of the known characters it plays out like a chess game. Intelligence is sexy, murder is horrifying... Sexy horrifying is so alluring as an entertainment form. The visual effects of this are mind blowing. I've never seen horror be filmed as artistically as this outside of Penny Dreadful. For 3 seasons this show thrilled and entertained. Now we are anticipating a 4th season to emerge from the gloom of Covid-19. Let's hope its writers have learned everything the original 3 seasons took in from the previous incarnations. Let's hope we remain horrified, mesmerised and even rooting for the biggest and baddest anti hero of Modern Horror.

Disclaimer - I didn't read the book(s)

Season 1 is what you would expect from description and themes, pretty linear, pretty straightforward. There is a criminal of the week, crimes were over the top but interesting to follow. Hannibal is a looming shadow in the background until some realizations are made and the tables are flipped, not the most original idea but it works well

Season 2 is essentially in-prison and out-prison bargaining, and I wished it lasted longer honestly. With some more criminals of the week to fill up the space and some shocking moments, topped with a finale which is rightfully rated as the best episode of the show. 9/10

So Season 3 imo was the weakest of the three, 5/10, here's why:

• there were no more villains of the week, but rather villains of the first half and second half of the season and the latter was just a waste of time and space from start to finish, no one could've made that look good, the main reason why I watched last 5 episodes or so on double speed, and even that wasn't enough

• there is a lot of dialogue, not much from what was said really resonated with me. Lots of psychoanalyzing, seemed superficial and a way to fill up space. There is a lot of standing, sitting and talking, a jarring contrast to dynamic pacing of both previous seasons

• in s3 there were too many characters to keep track of - Italian police and the rest of Italians, Chiyoh, Verger household, Molly and her son, Reba, Dolarhyde plus everyone previously introduced, it's a lot and really nobody got a conclusive story here and I still have lots of questions. Half of them served very little purpose, not one interesting person was introduced

• Characters repeat the same mistakes over and over?

• so the finale. I laughed, I actually laughed. I lost patience with whatever's up with Will Graham somewhere around half of this season and didn't feel like diving deep. Needless to say, the final episode didn't really strike a cord here, except Hannibal's (and Will 's honestly) final (?) threats. An open ending, something I usually find not liking very much

All in all, Hannibal Lecter gives this show a 5 solid stars and the plot shifts for the last season, some loved it, I didn't. One final pet peeve - for a show filled with horrors people survive a lot of injuries with little to no consequences.

Truly superb writing, casting, acting, direction and editing. This show is a work of art. If you can, please watch in a quiet, intimate setting to truly appreciate the elegant horror being served. I have never been as impressed with a series as I am with this one. It's very surprising that a show this dark was on network television, I can't see the NBC viewer appreciating such darkness. I'm preparing for a second viewing of all the seasons. It was perfection to the very end.

If you're a fan of the books or the movies, don't worry. This series has nothing to do with them. You won't ever find yourself complaining that this isn't like the books (or the movies) because this 39 episode series had 12 directors and 21 writers, and none of them read any of the books. But they sure liked to do 'shrooms!

Like 'Lost' and 'Game of Thrones,' there was a lot to work with. Great story, great cast, cameras that did whatever they were told to do, and the ability to have a musical score if they had wanted one.

Everything starts encouragingly. The dialogue, the acting, the filming, and editing were all crisp and clean. But you know how it is when you have the budget and material and cast to hit it out of the park. You start thinking, "Hey, is that a squirrel over there?" and you wander off and never come back.

That creates a perfect opportunity for anybody who has ever wanted to write a screenplay, and everybody who has ever wanted to direct, to try it out! You don't even have to know the storyline or anything! Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can, as Arthur Ashe said.

That goes for pot, mushrooms, microdot, whatever you're into or have wanted to try. The folks working on the first season were pretty set on making an excellent series, and they did, except for whoever wrote the background score-more about that in a minute.

By season two, they had lost most of the squares and were starting to have some fun. Sure, it's kind of hard to follow, and Gillian Anderson began to use the tone and cadence of a lady at the library reading to the kids that came on the short bus. But if you payed attention and didn't think too hard, it was still a pretty good series.

And then season three rolled in like a barrel of drunken monkeys. Some directors wanted to be Alfred Hitchcock; some wanted to be Clint Eastwood. Some writers we're fans on Stephen King, and some were fans of thick paperback romance novels. Gillian was still reading to the slow kids, and Laurence Fishburn decided he was Brian Dennehy, but that's not so bad. Mads Mikkelson and Mr. Dancy didn't let all the monkeys on the lot, or the odd sprinkling of vanishing characters, throw them off. Remember the 80-pound supermodel, who was an expert sniper? Yeah, me neither. She did do a drive-by, though. (Ha!)

Eventually, the mushrooms and cannabis won, and the folks who weren't invited to the party began to write and direct. Everybody had a good time, and the producers had already brought in some patsies to blame, so the barrel finally rolled off a cliff, and everyone went home.

Except for the background music guy, who was sleeping under the mixer and drinking out of other people's cups. He hung around and recorded everything he could think of until somebody spotted him and ran him out. They played Rochambeau (Rock-Paper-Scissors if you're in Gillian's reading group) to decide what music went with each episode.

Was this fun to watch? Yes. Did it make sense? No. Is it an 8.5 or a 10? Well, I'd did seen the kids voting...

I remember watching this show while my friend and i used to commute. What started as a casual timepass soon turned out addict, and we couldn't wait watching a couple of episodes everyday.

Good acting by primary and side casts. But its the antagonist who stole the show. Mads Mikkelson had surpassed everyone with his quirky acting and frantic skills. I mean we used to feel pity on his victims but that never changed our mind to hate him.

A must watch.

If you're wondering, this drama does not follow the story line of the previous Hannibal film franchise. However, it does not mean that the series doesn't pack its own punch in terms of tension and suspense. (I'm in such awe, I feel inadequate trying to leave a review for this show. I won't reveal any more than what is available on the wikipedia page.)

Following protagonist Agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) into his mind and peering into the distorted lives and actions of serial killers, he comes across as a highly intelligent but often conflicted man, tormented by his own imagination and yet has to live it each day for the greater good.

This sense of vulnerability and instability caused by his personality (largely introverted and antisocial) is preyed upon by his psychiatrist, famed Hannibal Lecter, excellently portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen, and as all this is played out, the audience, privy to this knowledge will be gripped by suspense, and the never ending tension, even on scenes where nothing appears to be happening, the mood takes on a somber and tense tone.

For those who are concerned with the relative 'low level of gore', be patient. It takes its time to build and slowly escalate, bringing Graham deeper into the shadows and mental torment.

I can't emphasize how good the acting is, how vivid and artistic the abstract dream and killing sequences are. the fact that the soundtracks are well selected and not obnoxious all plays a part in creating one of the best viewing experiences ever. As a fan of psychological horror, I feel privileged to be able to take a small peek at this show ahead of broadcast.

Before watching this series I wondered "Why in the world would they try to recreate the Hannibal movie series? It's been done! It's over! No one can replace Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal!!" Boy was I wrong. Mads Mikkelsen shows off some seriously unique acting chops throughout this entire series! I absolutely hated him in the Bond film Casino Royale(In a good way!) I hated him because he was so twisted, evil, smart and cunning as the villain and all those traits are magnified throughout the 39 episodes of this series. It's gruesome and horrifically violent and even though I was cringing because it seems so realistic I was simultaneously wildly-entertained all the while! There simply isn't enough time to tell the full Hannibal story over 3 movies and appreciate all the details so I realize now this 3 season series is entirely justified. As someone who's suffered with ADHD for most of my life I also appreciate the mental health aspect behind this series. with the time of a TV series you get a chance to go under the hood of Hannibal the psychiatrist and in a 2-hour hollywood movie there just isn't enough time to dig deep into mental health in what separates Special FBI agents, serial killers or average ordinary people. I found the whole series thought provoking and very interesting.

I don't know how many time I've watched it, it's just a master piece. The visual is incredible and the casting and character are sooooo great. Bryan Fuller is such an artist I love him for giving us this show.

Visually arresting to watch especially with the soothing music and incredible acting! Hugh Dancy is electrifying, I love the way he solves crime scenes and the fact he seems to have Asperger's which I have too. The nightmares are spellbinding and visual effects are one of my favorite things ever done! Hannibal is written with brilliance throughout; I'm so hooked to this charming elegant show.

We have come through the last couple of years with some excellent TV programming. dialog, writing, directing, acting some of the episodes if not entire seasons trashing anything that was showing at the local megaplex. Just like most here I was highly skeptical at the idea of a made for TV Hannibal, as Robert Downey is to Iron Man and Hugh Jackman is to Wolverine.......for me Anthony Hopkins was to Hannibal Lecter. Well no more. When telling people about this show, that's what I use as an approach. When you think of Hannibal Lecter you tend to think of Anthony Hopkins. Well not anymore, what a tribute to Mads Mikkelsen that he could take this amazing pop culture character and and so firmly attach his name to it. If you have been skeptical or just not "seeing" you're doing yourself a great disservice in not checking this out. I absolutely LOATHE that comcast now charges for past seasons of network shows, but this is the only one that I would ever say is worth purchasing and viewing before season 3 gets here. Hannibal is excellent television.

Seasons one and two were very well written, encaptivating, and exciting. But it stops there. Season three was just awful. The storyline didn't match the same level as prior seasons.

Don't get me wrong - I kind of want to like the series and most of the time it's okay, but there are things that just can't go unnoticed and drag the rating down. It's like watching a horror movie and wanting to scream "don't go there!"

Apparently all the characters are written in such a way that everyone's an idiot and lack common sense. Everyone except Hannibal. Nobody leaves a note or shares a suspicion before investigating him and/or making a move on him/feeling in danger. What do you do when someone's accusing someone of horrible murders and you start having suspicions of your own? You tell them everything, of course! And then when you break into their home and put yourself in danger what do you leave behind in case something happens? Right - nothing.

I really like the idea and overall style of the show, but some things are waaaay too stretched just to make Hannibal artificially 'out of suspicion' and drag the series for as many episodes as possible, milking it like a cow. And that drives me nuts.

If you are a bit skeptical about this show like me, do not worry. With all the sequels and prequels we've seen regarding Hannibal Lecter, it's an understatement to say there are lots of areas where the creators, directors and actors to over play the gore and story arcs. However, they've managed to balance all these superbly. The title may be Hannibal, right from the start this show is very much a vehicle for Hugh Dancy. Who as Will Graham gives an excellent perspective on his character and i dare say he does a better job than Edward Norton. Mads Mikkelsen with his subtle approach on Dr.Hannibal Lecter is a revelation. His sophisticated and stylish portrayal is captivating and very unpredictable. The show delivers on every front- the writing, editing etc is as good as it gets. Can't wait to see the next episode. Highly recommended it you're looking for a clever and engaging physiological thriller.