Momentum ****

A BIT like a prequel to a prequel if you will, this tale of Hannibal Lecter's early years and reasons for his slightly off-kilter approach to human relationships, is a refreshingly good yarn, all the better for having no sign of Hopkins (who should hang his head in shame for the abomination that was Hannibal).

Starting off like a good war film, Rhys Ifans puts in a fantastic show as evil Grutas, who kills and eats young Hannibal's little sister, thus kickstarting an insatiable appetite for revenge and flesh in the nipper.

Following his progress through life, via a superb Gaspard Ulliel, we watch with some sense of pity as he tracks the monsters that unleashed the misanthropic murderer within.