Rent Manhunter (1986)

Absolutely Brilliant - Manhunter review by GI

One of the sharpest and most stylish crime thrillers you'd ever wish to see. This is one of director Michael Mann's best films and there's a fine selection to choose from. Based on Thomas Mann's novel Red Dragon (later remade by Brett Ratner following the success of 1991's The Silence of The Lambs) this is the first film to feature Hannibal Lecktor (spelt like this in Manhunter) and here played by Brian Cox, in a very sleazy and creepy performance. The story is a fairly basic psychopath/serial killer narrative where two entire families have been ritualistically murdered and, at a loss, the FBI turns to former agent Will Graham (William Petersen) to help them find the killer. Graham has the ability to get into the mindset of the killer, an ability that almost cost him his sanity in a previous case involving Lecktor. This is where this film stands out above similar films. The clever editing and visual shots evoke a gradual clarity as Graham begins to puzzle out who the killer is. In a departure from genre convention we the viewer get to know who the killer is quite early on and it's then that Mann's theme of two men, on opposite sides, but who are very similar centre the film's plot. (This theme can be seen in many of Mann's films, 1995's Heat being a classic example). The best scenes are when Graham visits the horrific crime scenes and Mann intercuts with flashbacks of the killer arriving to commit the murders. The use of bright colour and a thumping soundtrack where the musical beats follow the action are all Mann trademarks and highlight this film as something totally different from the usual fare. This is a mini masterpiece and if you've not seen this then I highly recommend it.

BLU RAY NOT DIRECTORS CUT - Manhunter review by LM

As per title, the Blu-Ray is not the directors cut, no commentary either. Waste of rental..............

Yawn - Manhunter review by RCO

Frankly today this appears somewhat absurd. The role of the psycho-investigator who gets into the mind of his subject is now an overworked trope, and the "dramatic" action in the FBI offices and helicopters as they try and close in on the serial killer before a deadline comes across as laughable - reminiscent of the old channel 4 tv series Treasure Hunt with Anneka Rice rushing around in a helicopter trying to solve clues for a team of investigators in the studio managed by avuncular Kenteth Kendall - at least that was entertaining at the time. Manhunter is not.

Of interest only because it was the first Hannibal Lecktor film before Silence of the Lambs (which was a bit better) and watched because I stumbled across a reference to it in a completely different context which made it sound interesting. It really isn't.