Nostalgia Critic - Old Vs New Manhunter And Red Dragon

Nostalgia Critic - Old Vs New Manhunter And Red Dragon

[@LanceEhlers]

Manhunter is one of the flat-out coolest movies I've ever seen. The visuals, sound design, soundtrack and editing are very, VERY slick and effective. Rewatch it simply for the way the shots are composed. Every frame stands on its own as gallery-worthy. Take for example the post-intro credits shot with the tilt down from the sky to the beach. It's just REALLY damn cool.

[@rossdiamondthief6627]

Lance Ehlers “coolest” is a complete understatement!! Manhunter deserves to be studied in film schools!!

[@mrsellars]

We'll have to agree to disagree. Red Dragon was a commercial vehicle. Manhunter was cinematic art. Both have their place, but I'll take Manhunter, hands down.

[@Turskaruhtinas]

The only thing Red Dragon has going for it are the great actors. Otherwise Manhunter beats this competition hands down.

[@jessebrucepinkman9834]

Manhunter's actors were all shit apart from Brian Cox. All the actors had hideous hair cuts. The old Toothfairy was so ugly

[@Turskaruhtinas]

@@jessebrucepinkman9834 That's fucking stupid. There isn't a bad performance in Manhunter at all, the actors are perfect for the style the project has. Red Dragon has more star power and the performances are, indeed, great but that doesn't mean Manhunter's just have to suck like as if by some universal way of balancing itself out.

[@conorm2540]

@@jessebrucepinkman9834 this reads like a 3rd grade book report. “I didn’t like it because I thought they had bad haircuts. The old man serial killer was so ugly.”

[@ClayMationNation]

@@jessebrucepinkman9834 No they weren't. Manhunter was fucking amazing on an artistic AND an acting level.

[@buckleygeneration]

Red Dragon is clearly a better adaptation, but Manhunter is a better film.

[@TheMole2005]

Couldn't have said it better Still, both are good Adoption of a Great novel Now Its time for a nice Chianti

[@Jim-pq9pm]

Better adaptation? They're both quite different from the novel.

[@gonzaloNMF]

i think will character is better portrayed in manhunter though

[@thefilmeffect6089]

What pisses me off about Red Dragon is that I know it could've been a masterpiece with a better director. The movie has everything going for it from the cast to the score, but overall it's a very safe and by the numbers thriller. I just wish it had it's own Jonathan Demme like The Silence Of The Lambs to really bring the best out of the material and bring a new level a craftsmanship to the movie.

[@rebelfiend1193]

Red dragon is good because Anthony Hopkins also where is Hannibal rising review

[@Diamhea]

Tom Noonan is a legend. He portrays great villains.

[@wishcraft4u2]

I think manhunter is by far a better movie, even tho there is merit to the points he makes. manhunter is on par with silence of the lambs, to me. Shame it's so overlooked.

[@gonzaloNMF]

i agree

[@alexandredion2151]

Tom Noonan is absolutely terrifying ! Great performance. I read the cast members were afraid of him as he was not going out of character between takes !

[@terrysilvester4720]

The score to Manhunter is brilliant. Masterpiece.

[@swimteamizzle1114]

Terry Silvester Can you explain to me why you and others liked the score to Manhunter? It was my least favorite part of the film, and one of the only times a score to a film has stuck out to me as bad and outright distracting. But most people seem to love it, so I'd like to understand. Is it some kind of 80s nostalgia?...

[@carlramon7695]

I think its a joke the score was horrible

[@aljensen9548]

+swimteamizzle1114 Oddly enough, the heavy synth sound is coming back - you can hear it in some indie films already. When I first saw Manhunter in 2004, i thought the soundtrack was distracting and cheesy. Seeing it again now that there's been a synth revival and maybe with the benefit of more distance from the 80s, it really is good, and fits the mood of the film immensely.

[@alansmith3677]

carl ramon clearly stupid!!

[@aljensen9548]

VincentHanna121 it's not really a trend yet.

[@chrsweden]

Oh Red Dragon is so "dumbed-down". I love the minimalism of Manhunter, it is a true classic.

[@upinsmoke2897]

Brian Cox was a great Lector. People forget that SOTL was not written yet when Manhunter came out, giving him less material to work with. Hopkins elevated the role to perfection so Cox's great performance is mostly forgotten.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Giving Red Dragon the edge over Manhunter in even a single area, much less proclaiming it the superior film, is utterly incomprehensible to me. Every key scene is done infinitely better in Manhunter, and the performances and screenplay are better as well. By comparison, Red Dragon just comes off as cheap and half-hearted.

[@kylebarker7362]

+Porfle Popnecker Exactly. It's just cashing in on the success of Silence and Hannibal. Hopkins' performance in this is so drawl and dull I found myself wishing he'd get off screen - very much the opposite of his original performance. 10:04 "It's an oscar winning performance". No - Silence of the Lambs was. Not this.

[@catoblepag]

He gave Jaden Smith's Karate Kid the edge over the original Karate Kid. Let me write it again, 'cause I still can't believe it myself: he gave Jaden Smith's Karate Kid the edge over the original Karate Kid. It's basically like choosing the Garbage Pail Kids over the Godfather. Such stupidity should be considered a crime against humanity, so I'm not surprised about this one either.

[@dantheman4838]

Not only do I think Manhunter is a better movie than Red Dragon, I'd say even Hannibal is a better movie too.

[@samoslich8131]

dan the man Whoa, calm down Satan. That is not the case at all

[@TheTruthfulAsshole]

Truth.

[@davewolfy2906]

The story is about Will Graham and Dolarhyde , it is not about Lector. The fact that Lector hijacks the film Red Dragon is a FAIL.

[@richardmickelson6026]

Dave Wolfy Not true. The stories are about Lector and how he steers these characters (Will and Starling) in their hunt... Hence why HE crosses over

[@rossdiamondthief6627]

Dave Wolfy Red Dragon was still a good movie.

[@jaygoisbest44]

Richard Mickelson I couldn’t disagree more I mean not about silence of the lambs that’s a fair observation but it’s about red dragon where your point couldn’t be more wrong having read the book myself lecter is barley in it he’s only in a few chapters and writes a few letters so it really has nothing to do with lecter at all he’s is just a supporting character

[@BruteStrength99]

I couldn't agree more. Mentor received way too much FaceTime in Red Dragon. He wasn't featured nearly as much in the book.

[@RatchetandSly]

Lecter has more screen time in Red Dragon than he does in the book and in Manhunter, but the movie is hardly focused on him. It is still less focused on Lecter than Silence of the Lambs was.

[@kylebarker7362]

Hmmmm. While I don't dislike Red Dragon I think Manhunter's by far the superior movie. Most of the praise I hear - like in here too - is really for Silence of the Lambs rather than Red Dragon. Hopkins here just milks it too much and is going for the scare factor he perfected in Lambs. I feel myself getting bored half way through his sentences. Cox for me is by far the more menacing Lecter. Like Critic said; if he wanted to he could deduce you like Holmes and start manipulating or insulting you in a second. But also whilst you know Hopkins' Lecter is creepy and would be intimidating; Cox's performance could charm you and make you want to socialise with him. All he'd have to do is wait until you drop your guard and then he'd be able to do whatever he wants. Although he didn't base it on him whenever I see Cox I immediately think of Ted Bundy. The lowest of the low in terms of human being but still very charming and potentially seductive. That's what's dangerous

[@cousinfethry8928]

...... Do you dream much, Critic?

[@JOXCY]

Goodbye90sToonChickyoucanleavemessagesformeonthenumberinthefile

[@thefancyagenda7975]

No. Manhunter is one of my favorite movies of all time.

[@rharris4736]

I gotta go with Manhunter just for the best use of an old rock tune in history. The scene where In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is playing in the background while the killer is lining up a massive body count was just hardcore.

[@magusperde365]

Red dragon made me cry for the villain .. heavily, Ralph Fiennes was incredible

[@bigmark2.046]

Me too.

[@CCCoolati]

@@magusperde365 Totally! The scene where he puts the woman's hand over his mouth in bed while she sleeps and begins to cry is F'n MOVING. I love it.

[@CCCoolati]

Duuuuude... right!? So f'n SICK! So perfect. As effective as "goodbye horses" in Silence of the Lambs. The way they used the breakdown organ solo too.. and the way it kicks in when he crashes through the window. SO AWESOME. Even if he basically just gets his ass handed to himself after crashing through... hahahha

[@utubeisCensorred]

I felt that Norton was just a big name in the role and didn't really do it any justice. A place holder. Manhunter feels like Will.

[@rossdiamondthief6627]

GhostShock his acting in Red Dragon was still good though.

[@thefilmeffect6089]

The director plain and simple. If Red Dragon had a better director it could've been a masterpiece.

[@BackyardPix]

Manhunter is amazing, Red Dragon is a Brett Ratner movie.

[@Haveba]

Manhunter is better because of that amazing tiger scene with the music of Shriekback. That scene alone was so beautiful and sensual, and Tom Noonan as the killer lurking in the background. Just perfect!

[@MrCarpen7er]

Manhunter is better in everything.

[@KafanskaTV]

Just recently I read the book, then watched both movies. In my opinion, Red Dragon followed the story of the book much better, and also included all important scenes. Manhunter didn't really explain the background of the killer, it was a very stripped down story compared to the book and lacked too many details in my opinion, while Red Dragon showed almost all of it. The detective was definitely better in Manhunter, the killer maybe too (though visually Red Dragon's killer was better). Emily Watson was much better as the love interest of the killer. Not sure about the Hannibal, Hopkins is more of a relaxed, calculated psychopath, while in Manhunter Hannibal seemed more anxious and on the edge. Simply due to my preferences I'd say Hopkins did it better as I imagined Hannibal as a cold and calculated rather than a more erratic character.

[@Nick_CF]

I thought Manhunter did a far better job at creating atmosphere which I am now realizing is why I gave it the edge over Red Dragon. IMO

[@nancydublobrewer217]

Nick Faught Manhunter had a look specific to the 80’s because of Michael Mann, who was the schizz back then. I loved his use of neon lighting and the somewhat music video atmosphere, especially in the final scene. Man hunter is kind of a slow burn which is why it’s my favorite of the two. I did like Red Dragon...Ralph Fiennes was very good as Francis Dolerhyde. We learned more of his backstory and he was played the role more tragically than Ted Noonan. Noonan was SO much creepier though. But...as much as I like Ed Norton, he’s not the Will Graham that was in the book and in Manhunter. William Peterson was awesome. He did play the role as if he was still seriously messed up. This will probably anger some people, but I always thought Anthony Hopkins was too over the top as Lector. I’ve always thought so & no one is gonna change my mind, lol. Brian Cox was okay....I have to say that my favorite version of Lector is Mads. I don’t think his portrayal of Lector would fit in any of the movies, though. That was the beauty of Hannibal, the tv version. It was almost its own story...different from the movies, but it was beautiful. Manhunter was visually amazing too, but it was the 80’s, lol. Anyway, IMO, Manhunter for the win!

[@alysiamerdavid-wasser9165]

@@nancydublobrewer217 Oh, you had me 'til the end, lol. Red Dragon is the better film, imo, simply bc it's a much better adaptation, vs Mann's "Miami Vice" ending. I couldn't get past it. But you're right about the book, Petersen AND Dancy both LOOK and ACT more like how Graham is described. So does Cox. (No Hannibal-actor has had 11 fingers, though, lol.) I understand what you mean abt Hopkins, but I still* have nightmares abt him, lol. Btw, I think you meant Tom* Noonan, not Ted. And yes, the newer Reba & Francis were better portrayed.. That is why I choose RD.

[@MrCarpen7er]

Lol, shut up

[@panos4800]

Man the huge white blank walls is one of the elements that makes the atmosphere in Manhunter memorable for me.

[@TheEternalOuroboros]

Brian- realistic. Mads- interesting. Anthony- scary.

[@Megamaniac610]

I think Brian Cox works better for and with the brief time period that he's in the movie. Like, imagine if you only got that tiny amount of time with Anthony Hopkins? It just wouldn't work because there wouldn't be the build up and it would be frustrating. They both fit the movies that they're in pretty well.

[@magusperde365]

Those kind of serial killer puts out a caracter for attention.. for me hopkins is the more realistic. And the fact that graham does not take his shit and that this movie show him more as flawed. A real nuts serial killer ted bundyish would be like hopkins.

[@magusperde365]

I personnally know a psychopath and we talked often .. I would pretty much imagine him wanting to entertain himself by being full on Lecter and trying to make it credible in prison. I mean is isn't dangerous at all ( annoying in high school where his game was to find part of my body to hit to make it paralyzed for a couple seconds...though ) but if he had all the media helping to build this caracter.. no chance to ever join society again etc . He would

[@irvingramirez2335]

DeathCreationist switch brian and mads

[@roydominic4080]

You send a bad message, red dragon had a bigger budget man hunter had to rely on the acting and actual performance.

[@aros0018]

To everyone in the comments who is complaining about the Critic's decisions: HE'S A REVIEWER! HE GIVES HIS OPINIONS! YOU DON'T HAVE TO SHARE THEM AND NOT SHARING YOUR OPINION DOES NOT MAKE HIM AN IDIOT!

[@P_Reaper_S]

Lol but who in their right mind would ever choose Manhunter over Red dragon?

[@hrvallejoMKT]

***** The new one had more budget, bigger-name cast (Sir Anthony Hopkins alone makes it especial) and more development time. Manhunter is on its own and it is a pretty solid movie: you could have been a fan if you saw it before Red Dragon. Which "is better"? The answer could be pretty obvious but that doesn't mean that the other movie isn't without merit.

[@7thHanyou]

Hernando Vallejo To add to your point even more, I saw Manhunter a few years AFTER Red Dragon and, while I initially thought Red Dragon was decent, I MUCH prefer Manhunter. This might be heresy to most, but I actually like it almost as much as Silence of the Lambs. Really dig the style and overall feel of the movie, and it just feels more economical and well-made. Red Dragon has bells and whistles to bring it in line with Silence, but it just doesn't wrap me up in quite the same way. The main villain and Will in particular are just way more interesting to me in Manhunter, so it's like they were prioritizing the wrong things. Seriously, what's with Will in Red Dragon? Considering that he's now the central character of a great show in a definitive portrayal, Red Dragon's kind of aged by its extremely bland version of Will. To each his own. In my book, Manhunter's the obvious winner.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

+Alexander Sigstad Your opinion is absolutely irrelevant.

[@pleaserewind295]

People with taste?Red Dragon is bland shit that plays like cheap fan service.

[@TanukiParis]

Manhunter is of course better than Red Dragon

[@erin_3569]

I actually prefer Micheal Cox as Lecter. Hopkins is really good too, but Cox sounds more.. normal. He could be you're neighbour, if yoiu did'nt knew what he was, you could actually trust him. That's what makes him terryfying, in my opinion.

[@davidzepeda3951]

+Erin _ i've read the novel and that's what i thought too, Hopkins was genius in silence of the lambs, he pretty much defined Hannibal as a character in terms of his acting abillty (which i think it's great). To me, it appears that they tried to milk Lecters character in red dragon, they tried a formula, and even though i think Hopkins did a splendid job reprising his role as the cannibal; i found Cox's portrayal a bit more fitting, he just felt like a true socio/psycopath. Like it was so normal to him, as you stated, he could be your neighbor. and that's the genius about his performance. Hopkins's Lecter seemed to me more theatrical, almost for purely aesthetic/artistic purposes. Loved Sir Anthony in silence of the lambs and hannibal, but i liked Brian's version in manhunter a bit more. sorry for my english!

[@erin_3569]

David Zepeda no need to apologize. I'm french. ^^ (hope i'm understandable too)

[@davidzepeda3951]

Erin _ you are! i'm mexican,

[@kurvos]

Pffh... I'd never trust a shmuck like the character Brian Cox plays.

[@musicmusic6595]

Cox performance was brilliant, when i watched it first time, i had absolutely no idea he was faking it, i thought he was genuine, superb work imo.

[@MrDman21]

The Will Graham on the TV show HANNIBAL is more like the one in MANHUNTER as well. But I think Anthony Hopkins is a better Hannibal than Brian Cox.

[@nenabunena]

Yes, I liked a more conflicted unstable Will Graham like Peterson's and Dancy's.

[@SkyExplosion]

That's because that Will is alot like the one in the book. Which works so much better on T.V. because you hae so much time to see how he is constantly is.

[@ExposingZionistEvil]

This guy appears to be a total douche-bag, and I couldn't finish watching this bullshit.

[@CactusG26]

Manhunter is the definition of a thriller film... the performance William Petersen gave in that movie was astonishing... absolutely brilliant...! while Norton as god as he is as an actor, in Red Dragon he looks like a guy trying to repeat the lines of a movie in acting class... now as far as Lecktor/Lecter goes... it's obvious that Hopkins was gonna win... but Brian Cox did a remarkable job as well as a more cynical Lecter... Manhunter is the better movie hands down...

[@lupe2645]

CactusG26 no

[@Ruskefaen]

Yes

[@CLewey44]

It's easily the most underrated Thriller of all time. And it is as you said the definition of a thriller and really the original great modern serial killer movie. A lot of people have never even heard of it then yet it when I show it to people they absolutely loved it. The crime scenes the little nuances lighting music and will Peterson's performance are impeccable. It's great.

[@MrImastinker]

Not only is Red Dragon more faithful to the book, but in my opinion it is the better movie. Plus it's got Anthony Hopkins in his Oscar winning role! However, I do agree that Will was better in Manhunter. No offense to Edward Norton, he was good, but William Peterson was better.

[@nspatchcock]

M Hanson is correct. The Manhunter Vs Red Dragon debate is redundant from the start. There is a reason why Manhunter is beloved by many notable filmmakers. It has an indescribable malice throughout...quiet, understated and beautifully framed sequences...and an amazing soundtrack. Some have argued that Manhunter and Raging Bull are the two finest films of the 80's. I think I might agree. And as much as I love Silence Of The Lambs, it's got nothing on Manhunter.

[@markhanson6563]

M Hanson says thank you, but call me Mark! Did you happen to see the Michael Mann / Miami vice episode where Don Johnson became the psychic William Petersen character. Lame, but Mann was copying himself... btw LOVED you in Braveheart and those phone messages!

[@marveybrent7571]

Well said!

[@andrewmihovich4252]

"indescribable malice"? ... Did we watch the same movie?

[@halfbreed1426]

I would very much like to see a further comparison between these and the TV series Hannibal after its finished its television run.

[@Highbrowser]

Manhunter. Yes, it was nice to get more of the story, and the cast of the film is lovely and star-studded, but spelling out things, being literal is no substitute for an experience you can get your fingers into. Manhunter played things more internally. Films can take care of external surfaces very well. Nothing to it. But getting inside is the challenge. Ratner's movie develops more of the external at the expense of the internal.

[@magicbuns4868]

Manhunter without a doubt. Red Dragon was the blockbuster version where A-listers and visuals replaced deeper and more subtle story telling. Manhunter didn't need to rely on more Lecter to be good, Red Dragon had to rely on him and copying Silence in style.

[@ropeadopeadope]

The remake of Manhunter served only one purpose: so all three series include Anthony Hopkins as Lector - and that’s it. That gets me raging mad because Manhunter was the original and it was one of the best and it will always be one of the best. The only other one I loved was Silence of the Lambs. Will Peterson was originally masterful as was Tom Noonan, Brian Cox and Joan Allen; their great performances should not have been overshadowed for such a shallow reason. As you know, the remake just to remake for the sake of including a certain actor thins out the whole Red Dragon movie for me.

[@ianparkerellis2344]

I believe out of the multiple actors who have played Will Grahm, I think Hugh Dancy is probably the best.

[@rcdune7132]

Hugh Dancy is the best Will Graham no argument at all!

[@NeoConnor1]

Yes. That is Brian Cox. Fantastic actor. He was one of the best parts of X2, and I thought he really stood out in The Bourne Supremacy.

[@MWeistra]

Manhunter was so much better. red Dragon was just, meh.

[@4D4plus4is4D8]

The thing that I like so much about Cox's performance is that he seems like a guy who could exist. Hopkins, and Mikkelsen for that matter, mythologized lector to the point where he's superhuman like Michael Myers or Jason - he knows things he has no way of knowing, and can bend the rules of reality to survive injuries or get from place to place. Not judging the acting, just the character choice, and I think there's a lot to be said for the way Cox, and the source book for that matter, portray Lector as nothing more than a brilliant cannibalistic serial killer. He's scary for understandable reasons - he knows what he is, fully understands it, and doesn't care. He doesn't feel a need to make up a reason the way the Tooth Fairy does, for example, he's just completely comfortable with what he sees when he looks in the mirror.

[@quasarone3083]

The best Will Graham is Hugh Dancy

[@carlmart5797]

I'd rather go with the one closer to the novel. I know Francis Dolarhyde as a disturbed and traumatized shy child rather than an unpredictable homicidal maniac. Red Dragon portrays this better than Manhunter. So I disagree with NC's choice on the villain. In the other hand, I did like Manhunter's Will Graham better, for the exact reasons NC explained. As for the supporting cast, I never really cared about the family, not even in the novel, so this I agree with NC too. As for Lecter... well... hate me for this but neither of them made the cut. Then again, I'm talking about how it was done relative to the novels. In my mind, based on the novels' descriptions of Dr. Lecter's manners and attitude, Dr. Lecter is pure class, and entirely sophisticated and smart doc with an elevated mind. Cox brutally failed to represent that and seemed just annoying, but Hopkins decorates him a little too much. Novels aside, I did like Hopkins' performance way better, he's just more of a boogieman. However, back to the novels, Lecter is not scary. In fact, he has a comforting presence who just so happens to have quite the menu in his private life.

[@txmoney]

Manhunter is superior in every way. Red Dragon was forgettable in every way.

[@watchwumbo1395]

If I were you I would choose my words more carefully...

[@watchwumbo1395]

***** I wouldn't make assumptions quite so blindly, Commander.

[@watchwumbo1395]

***** I'm not sure. Your liver is looking rather tasty...

[@falariem]

I really liked both myself. But I agree that Manhunter is superior by a long way.

[@watchwumbo1395]

Loren Helgeson Are you absolutely sure of that?

[@dollykins100]

12:26 I'm sorry critic but I have to disagree. Sure, in Red Dragon, the tooth fairy killing his girlfriend is a lot more tragic, but your point about tooth fairy killing his girlfriend in the original being "just another kill" makes it even more frightening. The whole scene where she's freaking out because she can't locate him and he's just stood there silent and soaking up the God-like feeling of control and the advantage of being able to see, is so much more menacing as well as him going back to his old ways of killing her like she meant nothing. Shows how sick his mind is and there's nothing that can change it. Plus at 12:35 The way he just stormed across the room to her and motioned to grabbing her face, it gave me shivers.

[@jettburns705]

N.C., in more of your "old vs new", could you look at the musical scores of each film? I and many others fee that musical score is very important to a movie, and you too have said so yourself, so why not mention it? (IMO, the musical score from both of these films is FANTASTIC with a side of fava beans and a nice chianti)

[@Charlesperalo]

Both are very good. Lecter is obviously better in Red Dragon and the Reba story line is great. Also that was a good ending with him still being alive. I just think Manhunter holds the advantage due to Graham and Dolyharide being so much better.

[@62SG]

I think Red Dragon was the stronger picture. Red Dragon focuses more on the sympathetic side of Francis Dolarhyde. This is the most important element of the story and what separates the story from just being another serial killer tale. The movie is by no means flawless - Lecter's role is expanded in a very shallow way and it's a bit too slick for the subject matter - but as a story about a man at war with himself it works pretty well. I don't know why other adaptations are so focused on Will Graham, particularly on his mental state. Will is able to empathize with killers and it's alarming but thats not even very relevant to the plot. He catches Dolarhyde through good old fashioned detective work, not profiling, and most of his turmoil comes from the stress the investigation puts on his marriage. Manhunter and the TV show both play Graham as some sort of autistic, exaggerating a part of his character that really only has one purpose: Get Will into the story.

[@cnsmooth]

BEcause in the book it is a big consideration. In Red Dragon, he comes across as just another cop and it is more about the killer-which is also another strong element in the book, and I'm glad they kept it in the new version.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

+James Fielding Red Dragon is the weaker picture in every way.

[@punklover63]

I have heard that the consensus among critics of the original 1981 novel was that the explanation for Dollarhyde's twisted psyche seemed facile and all-together unconvincing. Perhaps it was a mistake to delve too deep into his background when the aura of mystery surrounding his underlying motives in Manhunter seemed so effective.

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

James Fielding Will Graham from the Hannibal TV series seems the opposite of autistic. He has too much empathy and can empathize with anyone and easily relate and clearly see motivations and emotions before ever meeting a lerson. People on the autism spectrum have trouble with that. He certainly is obsessive, but not autistic.

[@LordMalice6d9]

"People on the autism spectrum have trouble with that." That does not describe everyone who is on the autism spectrum. Some people who are autists are hyper emotional, and can even be empaths. The ability to intuitively feel the energies of another person and perceive their emotions even without ever having meet them. The Will Graham character is an empath.

[@rasnac]

In situations like this, you truely see why cinema is primarily a directorial art. Two movies, closely folowing same well written story, with great casts; but one(Manhunter) is clearly better than the other. Because it has a great director (Michael Mann) with a unique vision.

[@Ikelae]

Why can't we just accept them both as the unique mediums they are for telling the same story. I think it is rather awesome to have two totally different takes. I love them both for different reasons. Both films have their advantages and disadvantages. It is fine to have your opinions, but realize it is your own. That is the beautiful thing about art, it is subjective.

[@Ikelae]

monokhem nobody asked you scrub, move along.

[@Ikelae]

monokhem Didn't I tell you to move along? I don't have time for your stupid right now. ;)

[@Ikelae]

monokhem what are you even going on about? Someone had an opinion, you didn't like it so you had to attempt to troll it.. this was weeks ago haha. You are a sad, sad little scrub. Trying to troll old material lmao Perhaps find something relevant to troll on to start? Hahahaha what am I saying, you were dumb enough to try here again anyway hahaha. 

[@Fickji]

You almost need to see them both back to back to get all the story. Manhunter for its quiet sweeping visuals and Red Dragon for its background depth. Manhunter shows emotion through the reading between the lines approach while Red Dragon comes out and tells it point blank the motivations of the characters. But I'll always take Grissom over the Brad Pitt's nerdy double. You can tell in Manhunter why they got William Petersen for CSI.

[@ufotofu9]

William Peterson is a better Will Graham. After all, the show Hannibal uses an actor for Graham that looks an awful lot like William Peterson. Ed Norton to me is always a bit dopey in whatever he's in. And while Anthony Hopkins performance as Lecter in 'Silence' is obviously unforgettable, he's so much more of a cartoon villain than Brian Cox, who plays him as a straight away psychopath.

[@TheBlackSpiral]

Geoffrey Zoref I agree, completely.

[@slug237711]

+Geoffrey Zoref Norton dopey in whatever he's in? Yeah, someone had too much to drink last night :P He's an incredibly talented, underrated actor. Yes, I said underrated. I know he's been in award winning movie and was nominated numerous time, but that's it... nominated, not won. Plus any time someone thinks of a Norton performance they just think of American History X or Fight Club, how about Death to Smoochy? The Illusionist? The People vs Larry Flint?

[@oliverclamp2671]

+slug237711 Haha Edward Norton's the most "rated" underrated actor. But I agree with you otherwise.

[@ufotofu9]

DOn't get me wrong, I love Norton as an actor. He's probably one of my top five actors, but he's kinda got a dopey, teenage face. It works for him most of the time, when he's a naturally cool guy who always knows what he wants, like in The 25th Hour and even American History X.

[@TetraSamurai]

Geoffrey Zoref non conventional does not mean cartoony. Yes his lines seemed more scripted and "cinematic", but anybody can have those creepy mannerisms and voice tone

[@XAbbeldydooX]

Coming from a huge Hopkins fan as Lector i have to say Mads Mikkelsen is absolutely fucking awesome as Lector in the TV series Hannibal.The series started off slow and i had serious doubts about not only the TV series itself but also the actors portraying the iconic characters. It starts off slow but by the s2 finale i was absolutely astounded by both the direction of the series as well as the actors.Point is...go watch the shit out of Hannibal.Binge watch that shits until you get caught up,trust me its worth it.This is coming from a skeptic that it would be nothing more than mediocre. The season 2 finale is absolutely haunting and is probably my most watched episode of a TV show ever and that includes a double watch of every episode of Breaking Bad with a third shot of the series finale.trust me,if you stick with the show past its snail climb in season 1 it will be worth it if you are a series fan.

[@Annadog40]

I like Manhunter better because it does a better Will Graham and Will is the reason I watched both theses movies.

[@satansmascara9756]

Eyyyy another person who appreciates Will! **high five**

[@Annadog40]

Himawari Person I got into red dragon after reading Will Graham's page on Wikipedia back in 2010

[@vajabri]

manhunter, manhunter, manhunter!

[@DarthRushy]

12:05 I like how the Critic used the original DW theme here. Even though I have no idea why.

[@andrewmihovich4252]

... Because he is implying that it is through time travel that Barney looks like he's outright unchanged in two times twenty years apart.

[@danzigvssartre]

Manhunter is much more creepy and atmospheric. Noonan’s Dolarhyde also really captures the weirdo aspect to the character.

[@Byrnzi360]

It would be interesting if he chose to redo this video with Hugh Dancy / Mads Mikkelsen now. I think they channel the best of both Grahams / Lecters, respectively.

[@trevor2572]

As much as I love Hopkins' Lecter, I think I might like Mikkelsen's better. But that may also be because there is just so much more screen time and psychological interaction with Will than the previous movies.

[@Byrnzi360]

***** I definitely agree with you. Hopkins was outstanding in the role, but I'm definitely a huge fan of Mads' portrayal. He is more calculating, more methodical, etc. He is less dramatic and more intense on screen because he really captures the essence of the "psychopath in a person suite" thing. He does terrible things just to see what happens (which is possible because its a prequel series) whereas Hopkins just does terrible things.

[@oofpostinginc.4321]

mads is better in my opinion because it starts creepy and stays creepy where the initial creep factor of hopkins eventually just turns into hamyness

[@MrxChow]

I think he should wait until after season 4 of hannibal. Because then they've had the entirety red dragon then.

[@ElOchentero]

Mads is an excellent actor, but we should notice that bulding a character during an entire series is easier that during a movie, or 3. Still, all Hannibals are great (except the one from Hannibal Rising)

[@wcw2793]

Hey Critic, what are your thoughts on the new Hannibal TV series?

[@brittyn]

wcw2793 that's what i want to do know. i think mads mikkelsen is excellent as hannibal lecter.

[@BrunoCCoutinho]

brittyn I don't agree but thats ok. I find him too pompous without being actually scary or intense. He focus to much in the fact the he is a very sophisticated person, but I never feel the deep and perturbing presence that Anthony Hopkins possesses. Also, everting is kind of cheap in the show, the dialogues are terrible. (Just my opinion, don't take it too seriously)

[@wcw2793]

Bruno Coutinho I see what you're saying, but it's kind of hard to imitate Anthony Hopkin's deep and perturbing presence in my opinion. I'll also admit that the dialogue has started to get a little confusing at times too, but I still enjoy the show because we get to see more of Will Graham.

[@BrunoCCoutinho]

Tracchofyre Maybe i didn't explain myself very well... but I'm not an fficial critic or anything like .. calm down.. this is a youtube comment from a random guy. I'm ok with fancy talk when it is used to say something of substance. using the right word in the right word in the right way is a skill that I admire. The problem is fancy but empty talk. Like that guy that uses fancy words to sound intelligent, but his arguments are just weak. Basically using fancy dialog to say nothing, but it looks like a great argument because of the way he speaks. I actually despise that. I think that the show does that... but maybe I'm wrong. I feel that show is full of cheap psychology and philosophy(I'm ok with that), and they try to disguise the problem with a rich an overly dramatic dialogues. In my opinion it makes the problem worst. ps: My formal formation is in hard science and in general we are trained to avoid over complicated phrases, when you can say something in a easier way. Maybe that is way I despised fancy but empty talk.

[@BrunoCCoutinho]

Tracchofyre I admit that I know very little about psychology, but if they overdramatize everything, like they do in this show... people like me will always confuse it with cheap psychology. I will show one of the episodes to my fiancée and ask her opinion about that. (she is a psychologist). I see that in my field of study too... some people taking about physics are over the top, an the entire discourse sounds cheap and just bs, even if correct.

[@AirOfSpace]

Who is best Will Graham? Hugh Dancy, obviously. I know this came out before Hannibal the TV series, but just... Hugh Dancy as Will Graham is so interesting, being both creepy and also a little romantically tragic and sad.

[@MrThedorkknight]

AirOfSpace I just finished season 1 and i agree. Granted, he has 3 seasons to develop the character but he seems the most real and 3 dimensional.

[@kylebarker7362]

+AirOfSpace It's hard to say because Peterson is solely post-Lecter conflict whilst Dancy is going through it. Going by what I remember of series 3 I'd still say Peterson because he struggles to keep his sanity mainly - I think - because he doesn't want to get back into that mindset. More of an internal conflict without it being flashy Dancy's fine but for me it was just too try hard. Much like the Red Dragon film

[@darqjade]

I enjoyed Red Dragon, but with the exception of Anthony Hopkins, Manhunter resonated more and is the movie I preferred to watch again.

[@rnasap]

After watching Manhunter, Red Dragon was disappointing. Could be I am a Michael Mann fan.

[@Bacbi]

as a kid (I was a weird kid) I loved hopkins as lecter and it is still a brilliant preformance but seriously mads mikkelsen blows away every fascinating killer we have ever seen. He's able to play lecter in a way where you don't only feel mentally overmatch but also physical. Him with a fork and another person with a gun, my moneys on hannibal and it's actually believable.

[@5eurocups2005]

Manhunter is the greatest serial killer film, full stop.

[@serbianweatherman2385]

5eurocups2005 but what about silence of the lambs

[@Vraptor1]

for fiction, yes. For non-fiction, hell no. Films like My Friend Dahmer are far better as they're documentary-styled films based on real people.

[@enthymeme4856]

This is a hard one. I really liked the feel of Manhunter. But I really liked the ending of Red Dragon. I think they're both great films and to each their own.

[@punklover63]

I'm sorry critic, but you were really out to lunch on this one. Manhunter is vastly superior to Red Dragon, and the bulk of those who disagree either can't comprehend or look past the 1980's tone and aesthetic, or are simply not used to the more restrained approach to its subject matter and storytelling that Manhunter employs. Red Dragon is a mainstream thriller, and a particularly harsh and unpleasant one with performances and direction that rarely rise above the vacuousness or pretensions of blockbuster moviemaking. On the other hand, while Manhunter may be stylized to the hilt, its subject matter and overall presentation are far more believable, both in the conviction of its performances and direction, and the degree of realism in its depiction of the story. Manhunter is practically an art film, with a strong visual aesthetic that seems to recall early 20th century expressionism.

[@kingofthecouch1]

Manhunter hands down. Red dragon is decent enough, with good performances, but feels exactly like what it is, an updated remake. You also cannot compare cox and Hopkins interpretations in these two films. A better comparison would be cox's in Manhunter and Hopkins SOTL as it was first efforts for both. For me, cox did an excellent job with limited screen time, but Hopkins SOTL is something that will stay with anybody who watched it all those years ago. Hopkins in Hannibal and red dragon didn't have the same chill. Would have been interesting to see cox's take in the other films.

[@litchie5836]

It would be interesting to compare both of these with the tv series since they all focus on Graham and Lecter and the same time frame

[@driffter1976]

Red Dragon doesn't even come close. Mahunter is a masterpiece. Petersen and Cox blow all the others away.

[@TarnishedProductions]

I can't wait to see the Red Dragon storyline in Hannibal. Too bad that's like 2 seasons away.

[@jamesadams9473]

Hannibal Is based on red dragon lol

[@TarnishedProductions]

I know that. I'm saying that I can't wait until the character is actually introduced.

[@DashCat9]

James Adams Yeah, but the meat of the Red Dragon story hasn't happened yet. Lecter hasn't been caught, and there's no Dolarhyde. I'm assuming they're going to get to that in Season 3 (if there is one).

[@jamesadams9473]

:-)

[@N1CK0FDEST1NY]

What you mean? It's basically the book in slow motion.

[@FreyaofCerberus]

As a third option i put forward the TV series. I'm not sure about Will Grahame compared to the movies but in terms of tone, writing and style the show wins. Its dark, imaginative and it makes cannibalism look tasty. And i will say it, Mads Mikkelsen is the best rendition of Lecter. He is always calm, collected and three steps ahead of everyone. I always found Hopkins weird little "crazy" moments detracted from the scariness of the wrong. Crazy yes, creepy yes but scary no. With TV Lecter you get the impression there is never anything that can get the better of him. His calm, cool exterior is never broken even when he has to resort to physical violence.

[@Likablock1507]

The only film that is on par with the show is Silence of the Lambs, seriously if you haven't seen the nbc show Hannibal get on it now

[@tapanipaul]

Manhunter, ftw. All the fucking way! It’s a masterpiece. The side by side scene comparisons should leave nobody with a bit of doubt. Ed Norton has done some decent work, but Petersen is a far superior actor. And Hopkins? Great actor (he’s fantastic in The Elephant Man), but I find his characterization of Lector (in both this film AND Silence Of The Lambs) to be way too over the top. Great performance, but he’s animated to the point of being comical. It’s like the textbook definition of CHEWING THE SCENERY. Also, I just really like Michael Mann. Watch THIEF, y’all!!!

[@maunze336]

You re Insane! Manhunter is definitely the better movie! Red Dragon was just produced so Hopkins could reprise his role again. It's the same story again, but not as thrilling as Manhunter!

[@kurvos]

Seems like an irrationally biased way of putting it. If you prefer Manhunter and you don't like Red Dragon, that's fine. But I call bullshit on it being made just for the money. Sure, it was only PRODUCED to make money - that's always why movies are produced. If you can keep an open mind about it and be rational and mature, I've made my own review of Red Dragon upon rewatching it: fav.me/da38nyj

[@kurvos]

trha2222 I'm not giving you an ultimatum. You do anything you want.

[@kurvos]

trha2222 No. Can you learn to accept different opinions like an adult? Because you really need to. "Wueh wueh, people must agree with me on what movie is superior, or my insecurity can't handle it, wueh wueh!" - Seriously, it's annoying. One of my best friends love Manhunter and hates Red Dragon, and he's completely fine with me preferring Red Dragon.

[@kurvos]

trha2222 Look who's talking.

[@maniaconthetube]

Agreed

[@lewisdavidson571]

Manhunter was a great film. Silence of the Lambs is brilliant. Hannibal (2001) is a slow burn but enjoyable. Red Dragon is great. Hannibal Rising was............anyway Hannibal (2013) is fantastic. Cox could have been a Jack Nicholson and Hopkins owned the role more than Ledger in TDK. Not saying Mads is Leto, Mads is what I think of when I think Hannibal. Cox is a fast talking, quickly calculating, 'I know how the ease my way under your skin' mastermind. Hopkins is a methodical, terrifying and manipulative genius. Mads is the best of both worlds with some physical prowess. Mads is my Hannibal.

[@GeorgeMonet]

Red Dragon just felt like a cash grab. It was like the director asked how they could milk the fame from Silence of the Lambs or the extremely disturbing Hannibal.

[@victortrotter1422]

Good review, but Manhunter, directed by Michael Mann of Miami Vice fame, was more artistic a movie. The music and lighting was effective. A better movie in my opinion.

[@DoroteoVilla]

I am seeing a trend here. A lot of fanboyism towards Manhunter as the better film because "Hipster". I think saying the Michael Mann made movie is better, sounds like the right thing to say because its old, its lesser known than Red Dragon and it is highly stylized. All of those things add up to saying you were into a band way before the band even ever formed. No doubt, Michael Mann is indeed one of my favorite directors but I gotta say, in this particular genre, he just felt stilted. It might because Manhunter is the strange love child of Red Dragon the novel and Miami Vice the TV series; pastels, "art-deco , dead-tech bullshit" architecture and a lot of intense silences with a pounding Pink Floyd type score blaring in the background. By the time Michael Mann got to Heat, a movie that is in my top ten all time favorite movies, Michael Mann seemed to have found the perfect balance of style and substance whereas in Manhunter, it was seventy percent style and thirty percent substance. The actors are good and the story is solid but that is only because the source material is a great novel by Thomas Harris. Red Dragon isn't necessarily a "superior" movie but I think it is superior to Manhunter just on its merits; the production value is more appropriate to the source material and less distracting than Manunter, the actors pound for pound are simply better. You have Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Harvey Keitel, all of whom are leading men in their own right. True, Red Dragon wasn't their best work but c'mon, it's like sending in the pro-bowl squad in against the playoff wild-card team. Again, Manhunter has some great actors in it but beside Cox and Allen, can you name any other?? The truth is that Re Dragon hasn't really ever had as great a depiction of it , and i'm including the TV show, as Silence of the Lambs. Maybe it has been the directing, maybe it has been the screenplay, not sure but Silence of the Lambs is in a different league whereas Red Dragon and certainly Manhunter feel quite "meh" by comparison. Maybe it is that after Silence of the Lambs, all depictions of Hannibal Lecter have felt safe, and I will give Manunter some credit because it was the first representation of Hannibal Lecter and it could afford some risks but not all paying off. Even the TV show suffers from this paper thin story telling taken from David Fincher's Seven, and let's face it, what is safer than network TV? But to be sure, Manhunter is like a vinyl of some indie band you like saying you "really like" much better than anything that is on the charts, but being vinyl and indie doesn't automatically make it better. Some things deserve to be obscure.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

Or, you know, maybe people just like it better and aren't trying to prove anything to total strangers, like most people don't. Manhunter had the better Graham, a more sedate Hannibal who didn't seem like he was deliberately trying to creep you out, and the best movie wife I've ever seen in these kinds of films-not once does she ever threaten to leave Will if he doesn't "make a choice," as usually happens. She's incredibly supportive of him the whole time. Also, leaving off the fake ending was the right decision (although, from what Peterson has said, might have been more to do with the production running out of time/money). Really, who actually believes the film is actually over when the villain "dies" offscreen? It also would've been nice if the screenwriter of Red Dragon had consulted his own script for Silence of the Lambs and remembered that the Benjamin Raspail murder was credited to Buffalo Bill in that, whereas he now gives Lecter the credit (as did the Hannibal movie). If you're going to change a detail in the book, at least keep the change consistent.

[@carpetmonk]

Hannibal was a creep.. licking Starlings steering wheel wasn't written to be romantic.. neither was the last chapters of "Hannibal". Hopkins portrayed an excellent Lector. It was the lack of screen time and dialogue that gave him the "sedate" stature.

[@traviswolf6099]

+xerxestireirondada I've never been able to look at Red Dragon as anything more than a Hannibal Lector cash-grab. It's just an unnecessary movie, and Anthony Hopkins" portrayal at this point is such a caricature of his performance in Silence of the Lambs that I can't take him movie seriously anymore. Yeah, I do think Michael Mann is the difference. Does it make me a hipster to respect Michael Mann's artistic vision over Brett Rather's? Mann put a part of himself into Manhunter, Brett Ratner stepped out of the bullpen and borrowed the aesthetic from The Silence of the Lambs.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

Travis Wolf The term "hipster" is pretty meaningless as it's used here, anyway. It's the lazy old trick of "Okay, I don't have an argument, so I guess a label will do."

[@DoroteoVilla]

Sure, agreed. Mann definitely made a more personal movie. Red Dragon of course was a more commercial movie .......but my basic point is that Manhunter was less accessible and coherent than Red Dragon, it was too "arthouse" and hipsters,posers and others that know the secret handshake, will automatically say that those things is simply make it "better" . Sure, Red Dragon was forgettable but Manhunter was just boring at times....and I love Michael Mann! Miami Vice the movie suffered from the same type of problem Manhunter did, too much ponderous camera work, albeit beautiful, but at the cost of the screenplay. Take another Michael Mann movie which gets the perfect mix of screenplay and artistry: Collateral. The screenplay, the cinematography, the acting plus the "Michael Mann effect" (pounding, cool-ass soundtrack and masterful camera work and pacing) and voila, genius.

[@ericwatts8181]

DAMMIT. Great review and yadayada BUT WHY DID I JUMP AT THE ENDING?

[@NeoConnor1]

Personally, I liked Manhunter much better than Red Dragon, although I enjoyed Hopkins as Hannibal more than Brian Cox. Honestly, the only Hannibal films I like are Manhunter and Silence of the Lambs. But if I had to choose between those two films and the Hannibal T.V. series, I pick the series every single time. Fishburne is the best Crawford, Dancy is the best Graham, and Mikkaelsen is, quite possibly, as good as Hopkins as Lecter.

[@BlockStabFatality]

Amen

[@KanishQQuotes]

If you see Brian Cox performance as the serial killer And if you watch any real life serial killer interviews They talk like that only Hawkins just looks theatrical

[@DeltaMikeCoding]

Manhunter is a visual delight, every scene has something going on, like color tinting, shadows, stuff like that. Red Dragon - not so much, it had the better story, though, that's for sure, but I'm a style over substance kind of guy, so I can't help but profess my eternal love for Manhunter. :D Red Dragon's ok, though, all things considered.

[@evilma66otify]

Manhunter's villain really pulled me in when I was a kid. When I was old enough to understand what was going on, I watched it again and I loved it even more.

[@Tsadi9Mem9Khet9]

Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecter is, in a sense, more disturbing to me, because he and the entire context of the movie, from what I've seen of it, seem far grittier and more realistic than the moody, dramatic Anthony Hopkins ones. The scene from Manhunter seems almost like something from one of those prison documentary shows, and then there's the eighties background music further distancing it from the somberness of The Silence of the Lambs, etc.

[@kylebarker7362]

+Kissai Sith Jen'ari Exactly. If you watch Ted Bundy (a real serial killer if you don't know)'s final interview they act very similar. Both seem normal on the surface but you know there's something beneath the surface that's incredibly dark and macabre. They both could be charming and seductive. Cox's Lecter I could see getting entranced by. I'd want to befriend him and socialise with him which could let my guard down.... Whereas Hopkins' more screen-friendly horror film performance - i often hear compared to Bela Lugosi's Dracula - you know the guy's weird or creepy and would cross the road to avoid contact with him.

[@Tsadi9Mem9Khet9]

Jan Barker Yeah, Anthony Hopkins seems to be outright grandiose and theatrical like that in everything I've ever seen him do.

[@MephProduction]

Brian's version as Hannibal just doesn't work, i can't imagine him as a Doctor he comes across as thug not a highly intellectual killer

[@FabryLON]

I watched Manhunter because Lecter was not portrayed by Hopkins...although I think he is great, B Cox was amazing!! Two great performances. In general I preferred MH...Petersen and Norton are almost at the same level, but Tom Noonan is sooo creepy!

[@AbrahamRedcoat]

When I think Hannibal Lecter, I think Mads Mikkleson.

[@TheEternalOuroboros]

Brian- realistic. Mads- interesting. Anthony- scary.

[@Sasu123456789x1]

me too

[@jordexo3047]

Mads's Lecter is in a whole other ballpark for me. My fav is Anthony but that's more to do with the fact he's the first one I saw and you get a lot more time with him than Brian but Mads is interesting because you have a whole show with him in it and thus you get a lot of time with him and find out more about his character overall.

[@darthnoir6370]

not only that, blackout. I find Mads scarier than Anthony if I'm being honest. With Anthony, u know what you're getting into, you know he's a freak psychopath just by looking at him. But with Mads, you wanna let your guard down, because he seems kindly and he appears as if he's trying to help you up until the last minute.

[@nigelbryant7980]

The Hannibal tv show in my opinion is the best Hannibal letter adaptation ever

[@dickpole2607]

I personally think he is the definitive Lecter.

[@satansmascara9756]

Eh, the acting and quite a few of its ideas are great. But it sort of falls flat at times when it tries to be too artsy and poetic instead of giving us solid plot that honours the source material. They take it for granted that they are better than everything else in the entire franchise. Still a great show, but I think the writers should think a bit less highly of themselves. And yes, Mikkelsen and Dancy are awesome. (I also appreciate the Female, POC, Mental illness and LGBT representation, but honestly judging a story's worth just by that is dump and tumblr's job, not mine lmao).

[@RRL110]

Peterson acted circles around Norton. Norton was miscast in this role. Norton sounds like he is reading from a teleprompter. Norton phoned in his performance. Norton sucked in Red Dragon. Not his fault, he just wasnt good in this kind of complex role.

[@TheBlackSpiral]

Robert Lukacs I don't think he, or the director, understand the character, personally.

[@ajallen128]

Norton took this role to get money to make 25th Hour. A far better Norton performance. Not to disparage his performance in Red Dragon though.

[@tonypeppercorn3818]

+Robert Lukacs I'm sure with someone like Jonathan Demme or Michael Mann directing Norton could have been great. Unfortunately, he got the director of Rush Hour 3

[@slug237711]

+Robert Lukacs LOL, good one :P

[@SolarDragon007]

I disagree. I think Norton is great at playing damaged, unstable characters like Will Graham. Just look at his performance in Fight Club! The problen is that THIS Will Graham just isn't written that way at all.

[@charlesearle8414]

It seems like the Lecter mentioned in the books is more like the Manhunter version crossed with Mads Mikkelson. The same wit and instantly coming up with a response, but still subtle and charming. Hopkins is amazing as Lecter, he defined the role, but it isn't quite as accurate.

[@leonwhite864]

red dragon is not better than manhunter

[@kurvos]

There's this thing called "opinions", jackass.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

Pretty sure that's what he was giving.

[@kurvos]

xerxestireirondada Yeah, but he said it as if he wanted to "correct" Nostalgia Critic.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

kurvos Just sounded like a contrary opinion to me. Not reading all that much into seven words.

[@leonwhite864]

That's your opinion I mean damn we supposed to have are on opinion I like man hunter better than the red dragon that's all get a life

[@OverlordVal]

I personally prefer Petersen's portrayal of Graham for these films, mainly because of his more rounded character - then again, I may be bias because of my introduction to Fuller's television show Hannibal (In which Mads Mikkelsen plays our favorite cannibalistic psychiatrist so impeccably it rivals Hopkin's legendary performance). I read the novel before seeing either movie, as a basis. In reality Manhunter is a superior film, and it felt to me like the Red Dragon on-screen was a cash cow for the rapid rising of Hopkin's portrayal of the character. In the novel, Lecter is barely present as compared to Silence of the Lambs. He's more a foreboding force and a reminder to Graham that he isn't quite the straight and narrow man he'd like to play himself off as - He's manic. Norton's Graham feels too in control to have the possibility to be come a Lecter-like monster.

[@heathenpotato]

I'm just sitting here like "I prefer Mads tbh"

[@CCCoolati]

Red Dragon takes an amazing and horrifying novel and morphs it into a Hollywood rush job ... Norton is horrible in the role. Hopkins, even though I loved him in Silence of the Lambs, is waaaaaay overacting and the performance is stale. And whoever played Dolarhyde somehow made one of the scariest characters ever conceived into a cheeseball joke... I don't understand how anyone can even give Red Dragon a chance.... Sure, Manhunter strays from the book a little at times, takes shortcuts and is very rooted in the 80s (which I think is absolutely awesome... the novel takes place around 1980 if i remember correctly) but its such an AMAZING FILM. Micheal Mann's best work in my opinion. The sets, colors, performances from the entire cast... all are just amazing. The moody soundtrack is fantastic. It's actually INSANELY scary too. Red Dragon is not a scary movie at all. The actors give tired and weak performances that seem tired or forced. Everything about Manhunter is better, and in my opinion, truly a fantastic suspense thriller that horrifies. But I will say this, if you really want to immerse yourself into these awesome stories... read the novel Red Dragon by Thomis Harris. It's scary as hell. Same goes for the Silence of the Lambs novel. It would have been interesting if Jonathan Demme had directed an adaptation of Red Dragon... I'd like to see that. But we have Manhunter. Which is amazing. The Red Dragon movie is Hollywood trash in my opinion. I don't see the appeal. But that's an opinion... who cares what I think. See and read them all and come to your own conclusions!

[@frenchledo1562]

Hopkins is not a better lecter in any respect. Not my personal opinion. Read the books and see for yourself! Hopkin's character lacked depth. His constant smiling, smirking, winking and slurp noises wrecks the elegance and grace Harris described. Everything about Cox just rings Lecter- Pale skin, dark slicked hair with widow's peak, red mouth, inexpressive visage, cold staring, impenetrable facade and a luring tone of speech. With a slight tilt of his head he'd come close to being the perfect Doctor.

[@yuripantyhose4973]

Love all the movies but Manhunter 1986 is a whole new level, the acting, dialogue (especially the crawford-graham dialagues, pure gold) and sountrack of the original is so much better. I can rewatch the 1986 one every month and never get bored. The original tooth fairy genuilny seems like that awkward creepy guy that suffers from illusion of grandour and entitlement, just like that Elliot Rodgers. Though Elliot Rodgers was emotionally abused by his father and stepmother the tooth fairy we are not given any background on, he can be any Man that has fallen into the abyss of loneliness, lust and fantasy, he could be anybody even ourselves. The new Edward Norton movie tooth fairy we are given a sad cry trip stereotypical backstory of someone being overly abused and sexually abused by his grandmother or something which is good for a popcorn movie but it also removes the tension and the bond between viewer and villain.

[@DearAnnabelleLecter]

I love this review - truly hit the nail on the head with Dolarhyde.

[@GrumpyAndrewsHorrorHouse]

Well, IMO, that was the wrong conclusion

[@rejmons1]

Both movies are full of the great performances, so the choice is very hard. But I personally choose old one. To tell the truth, is not especially better than "The Red Dragon", but I love this cold atmosphere in relationships between characters, and in almost every of scenes. This movie is as charming and pretty as the view on a scrap-heap, and as hot as the reiny night in November in North England or Scotland. But that exactly what is THE BEST ADVANTAGE OF!

[@buckleygeneration]

I remember emailing Doug's suggestion box or whatever and suggesting he do this video. About a year later he did. I like to think I had at least something to do with it, though that's probably not the case.

[@its-morbintime]

My votes for what was better Hero - Manhunter Villain - Manhunter Lector - Undecided Support - Red Dragon Visual Style (not important but worth bringing up) - Red Dragon Story - Undecided Just an opinion.

[@colt45604]

i wonder how he feels about the nbc show

[@tonypeppercorn3818]

Colton Bryan if he's sane he'll think it's the best show on TV

[@colt45604]

+Bruce Wayne it's a shame it was cancelled

[@Charlesperalo]

Well they have a lot more time to flesh him out and we're also seeing him in action unlike the other films where he's there by them being needed. Yet overall, they got the crazy part right.

[@nisahurbina4553]

I didn't know whether to cry or laugh at the tenth doctor reference, so I went to a hysterical laugh

[@66cuda]

I'm more of a Michael Mann fan myself, has some great '80 visuals, Miami vice, Kim was not attractive then either, Brian coxx was a good lecter, with less screen time than Hopkins, both were good for their times, also Dennis farina was a former Chicago cop, and Harvey kietel is always good. William peterson played a better graham, man hunter is better, just way to '80's, with great style

[@fordgarrett5891]

Manhunter > Red Dragon In da gadda da vida baaaby!

[@Believablerubbish]

My favourite Lector would have to be Mads Mikelsen from Hannibal tv series, not sure why but I just prefer him to the other actors