A guilty pleasure to top off the trilogy. Review on Hannibal

Yes, yes. Jodie Foster is and was the only Clarice Starling, and I was heartbroken to hear that she would not return for this final piece in the puzzle in the Hannibal Lector trilogy. I heard about this movie before I had ever seen ''Silence of the Lambs'' or read the true masterpiece of a book, but by the time it had come out, I had both the movie and book under my belt, and I was ready to be entertained.

I truly agree with many people that ''Hannibal'' was not nearly the motion picture that ''Silence of the Lambs'' was, however, the moment I knew that Miss Foster wasn't coming back, it was really to be expected.

Instead of an inspired, Oscar-worthy film, in following with the tradition of the previous picture, we were presented with a delicious romp with the demented Dr. Lector, set free on an unsuspecting Rome. As always, Lector's balance of refined taste and brutal murder toys with our minds.

Truly inspired performances were given by all, especially by the talented Gary Oldman (who was an especially good sport in the makeup chair) and Ray Liotta as the guy you love to hate.

This movie's most discussed scene (something involving brains, I'll just say) doesn't tell you the half of it. Rent it and prepare to be amazed.