Manhunter (Full Screen Edition)

Rating:
Summary: SEE THE ORIGINAL
Review: Despite what's been written about this movie (and it's awesome source novel, Red Dragon), this is not a prequel. Manhunter, directed by Michael (Miami Vice) Mann, was released in 1986, 5 years before SOTL. See this movie and meet Hannibal for the very first time. He is insidiously played by the Scottish Brian Cox. While not Anthony Hopkins, Cox is a more realistic Lecter (closer to the book) because he's more calculating then Hopkins' maniacal portrayal. He did not get to reprise his role in SOTL as he had a prior stage commitment. With a solid story, a better villian (the Tooth Fairy), a compelling soundtrack (more on that in a moment), and a stronger cast, Manhunter is obviously the superior film. Having said that, let me just point out that Manhunter does not revolve around Hannibal Lecter even though he permeates the movie. Don't expect him to get as much screen time here as he does in SOTL (or Hannibal and Red Dragon for that matter). The interaction between Will Graham (Wiliam Peterson) and Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina) is much more dynamic then the clinical turn by Starling (Foster) and Crawford (Glenn) in SOTL. The excellent supporting cast here includes Joan Allen (Reba), Stephen Lang (Freddie Lounds), and Kim Greist (Molly) (all miscast in Red Dragon). Did I mention Tom Noonan as the delightfully menacing Tooth Fairy? The mood throughout is set and paced by the music and the lighting. They both compliment each scene extremely well. The cat and mouse scene near the end is highlighted by great camera angles, judicious editing, vivid colors, and the use of (most of) Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Seriously, where else will you find a song for that scene that runs over 10 minutes long this side of a John Bohnam drum solo? Besides, nobody complained when the Simpsons used it (I. Ron Butterfly !!!). The Graham vs. the Tooth Fairy climax ranks among one of the best final confrontations ever filmed (even if it wasn't in the book). It's easily superior to the Starling vs. Buffalo Bill showdown. For the record, it hasn't bothered me a bit seeing Hannibal change from Cox to Hopkins. I'm even glad to see the movie remade as Red Dragon and explore more elements of the book. I've read somewhere that editing has been done to the currently available VHS print. All I know is that my copy is 120 minutes long and the new version is listed at 118 minutes. If you liked SOTL, you'll love Manhunter (especially the book). You also might want to track down the excellent, out of print, soundtrack featuring Shriekback (and Iron Butterfly) and/or Daniel O'Brien's Hannibal Files book. Sleep tight.

Rating:
Summary: Dream Much, Will?
Review: Don't miss this original, the first of the Hannibal Lechtor series. The score, the filmography, (Lighting), is still so vividly used in the best of today's suspence/thrill sequences.
Will Graham, (William Peterson), is the "Manhunter" hunting down "Frances Dolarhyde", and also the man responsible for imprisoning Dr Lechtor, at great phsycial, and emotional harm to himself.
Don't be fooled by Dino's latest grab at a buck, the rediculous "Red Dragon". (Which is odd, since Dino owns "Manhunter" as well..)
So, Red Dragon is only a remake of this great film.
It's ultimately embaressing to watch Lechtor and Chilton's charachter's re-acted, only "made up" to look 20 some years younger! (Red Dragon).
This is the Real McCoy, and Brian Cox, IMHO, should have stayed Hannibal Lechtor.
If you want another good performance by Anthony Hopkins, see "Meet Joe Black".
BTW, as far as I can tell, Barney's character, (Frankie Faison), is the only actor to play in all "Four movies of the Trilogy"..
If you want the original psychological thriller in this series, you found it..

Pete

Rating:
Summary: In many ways, a better thriller than "Silence of the Lambs."
Review: In his novel "Silence of the Lambs", author Thomas Harris revisted the character of Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lector, a super-intelligent, super-sick serial killer locked up in a hospital for the criminally insane. Revisted, because Lector first appeared as a supporting character in a previous novel called "Red Dragon," which is the source for Michael Mann's film, "Manhunter."

Before "Heat," before "Last of the Mohicans," Mann informed film fans that he was a huge talent with "Manhunter." This taut, slick thriller tells the story of Will Graham, a burnt-out retired FBI agent with a terrible gift. Graham can empathize with murderers so clearly that he can start to think like them, and eerily predict their next move. The problem is, by the time he starts to think like them he has put his sanity and soul in peril.

If this sounds a little gimmicky, the combination of Harris' story, Mann's direction, and William Petersen's performance as Graham keep it real. Graham is brought back by his former boss to help the bureau with a pattern killer. Unlike "Silence of the Lambs," which pushed the pursuit of Jame Gumb into the background, "Manhunter" is almost entirely about the pursuit of a serial killer known as the Tooth Fairy.

Mann's direction is nothing like Jonathon Demme's; despite the presence of a few common characters (Lector, FBI commander Jack Crawford, psychiatrist Dr. Chilton) the movies are totally dissimilar in their "look and feel." Yet Mann's film is terrific. Visually clearer and more brightly lit, "Manhunter" proceeds more as a straight-ahead crime drama than the psychological thriller of "Silence of the Lambs."

Like "Silence of the Lambs", "Manhunter" is about two monsters, and as in second film, Dr. Lector here is the FBI's key to finding a killer still at large. Brian Cox portrays the bad doctor as more outspoken and confident. It isn't Hopkin's portrayal -- it's quite different -- but it's so effective that, when I learned of the casting of Hopkins, I felt disappointment. Cox, I thought, was the obvious choice. (Live and learn).

As good as Cox is, perhaps the biggest draw of "Manhunter" is the hypnotic performance by Tom Noonan as Francis Dolarhyde. Noonan is touching, tragic and terrifiying as the man driven to murder entire families.

Noteworthy too is a piece of music: Mann uses Iron Butterly's acid rock classic "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" to score the action climax. If that sounds like an odd choice, it isn't; it's one of the most exciting sequences on film.

I recommend "Manhunter" highly, both to fans of "Silence of the Lambs", and to anyone who likes a good crime thriller.

Rating:
Summary: SEE THIS BEFORE "RED DRAGON" IS RELEASED!
Review: See this movie before "Red Dragon" is realeased in October, 2002. Many say that "Manhunter" is better than "Silence of the Lambs". It is not fair to compare the two films. Both are classics. But what makes "Manhunter" extremely compelling is the thrill-by-thrill crime-solving phases of the film. The DVD version is awesome. The THX sound goes right to your soul. The storyline follows a Hitchcock pattern...and the music is nostalgic and riveting. Five stars...nothing less. The performance by Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecter is spine-tingling. You wish he had more screen time when the flick is over. The psychotic killer, portrayed by Tom Noonan, is worth all 6-foot-7 of him. The manhunter, played by William Petersen, is brilliant and convinceable. I shy from giving away plots, but potential viewers need to know that this film was the prelude to Silence of the Lambs. The manhunter in this film is the FBI agent that caught Hannibal Lecter...now he desperately needs him to solve a haunting crime that has possessed his life...his psychie.

This movie is based on the book "Red Dragon", which is the basis of the film coming out in October, 2002. It will be a remake of this 1986 classic (16 years later).

If you loved "Silence of the Lambs", you can't miss "Manhunter". And for those of you who grew up in the Sixties, if you watch this flick, you'll never listen to the classic psychedelic rock song "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" with the same set of ears or senses. The tune, recorded by Iron Butterfly, is the highlight of the closing sequence.

Fasten your seat belts, grab your main squeeze, turn off the lights............ENJOY!

Rating:
Summary: Better than 'Silence'? Hardly.
Review: Somehow, inexplicably, one of the professional reviews of "Manhunter" actually writes that in some ways, this movie was better than "Silence of the Lambs." Let me offer a profound dissent. Rather than creating a sleek, suspenseful thriller like Jonathan Demme would later do with "Silence," Michael Mann's gloppy, dark direction reminds me of some of his least interesting episodes of "Miami Vice." Brian Cox, though a talented actor in his own right, can't possibly compare with Sir Anthony as Hannibal Lecter. I'll admit, having seen "Silence" first, I had a preconceived notion of what Lecter should look, sound and act like, but trying to stay as objective as possible, I can't think of one relative strength of Cox's performance. What made "Silence of the Lambs" such a great movie? Great direction, great acting (Hopkins, Foster, Glenn), and also great writing. "Manhunter" (based on Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon") falls short of "Silence" on all these measures, even though the plot bears much resemblance to Harris' later novel. It's simply not as compelling a movie. If you're interested in a different perspective on Hannibal, you might enjoy the film. Just temper your expectations -- it is OK, but can't compare to the movie that swept all of the main Oscar categories when it came out.

Rating:
Summary: The First of the Lector Trilogy.
Review: When a former FBI Agent by the name of Will Graham (William Petersen) is asked by his Former Boss (Dennis Farina) to go on a Hunt of a Dangerous Serial Killer known as the Tooth Fairy (Tom Noonan), who Preys on families. The only person, who could help Will on the Case, Beside his Boss, is Serial Killer, Dr. Hannibal Lector (Brian Cox).

Directed by Micheal Mann (Ali, Heat, Thief) made a Strong Stylized Thriller (Which the film, it won`t appeal to everyone). The film is Based on the Novel:Red Dragon by Thomas Harris (The Silence of the Lambs, Hannibal). Mann wrote the Screenplay for this Film. The movie also stars:Kim Griest (Brazil), Stephen Lang (Gods & Generals) & Joan Allen (Pleasentville). Frankie Faison appears in a Cameo, which he appears in the Two Sequels as Barney. Disc 1:DVD's has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer with an fine Digitally Remastered-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD Extras are Interviews, Bios, Collector's Booklet & an Trailer. Disc 2:Director's Cut has a OK anamorphic Widescreen transfer with a Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound with an Extra Three Mintues. Alternative DVD is Out now, Which is Micheal Mann's Personal new Director's Cut, which it will have an Commentary Track from the director with another DVD Extras. This film has been rediscover years after The Silence of the Lambs hits in Theaters back in 1991, which is the Second novel in the Series. Manhunter (Red Dragon) has been Re-Imagined with Anthony Hopkins playing his Famous Role-Hannibal Lector. This is a Cult Classic Thriller. Watch for Chris Elliot in a Scene. Fine Cinematography by Dante Spinotti (Bandits, Blink, Red Dragon-2002). Super 35. Grade:A-.