The Mann

The Original Hannibal Movie

Some people love The Silence of the Lambs, and I'm not saying it's a bad movie, it just pisses me off that it's thought of as the definitive Hannibal Lecktor movie...it's not. MANHUNTER is the original, and best, by far in my opinion.

It's an 80s movie, a defining one, and it's also one of Michael Mann's earliest and best films. It follows the story from Harris' Red Dragon novel, but is far superior to the remake adaptation. From the chilling opening - in which we follow the POV of a home invader as he makes his way up and into a couple's bedroom, and just as the woman is awakened by a light and sits up to see who is in her room, we cut away - this movie grabs you.

William Petersen gives his best performance ever as Will Graham, the detective who must get into the state of mind of a psycho killer to catch him. The soundtrack is so 80s and Mann's stylistic use of color, lighting, and frame composition is amazing.

It's simply one of the coolest, most chilling movies ever made. Get ready for the In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida explosive ending.

Now check out one of the slickest scenes ever. Graham gets friggin' pissed and then proceeds to put all the pieces together. It gives you a good idea of the subtext and slow burn of this film and Michael Mann in general...The dragon rampant...It's just you and me now sport....so good....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcPemp1-t-Y