The first take on Thomas Harris' Red Dragon novel reeks of the '80s, yet it remains gripping. Brian Cox's easy-on-the-ham Lecktor (sic) is excellent, but Tom Noonan carries all before him as Dollarhyde. "You owe me awe" indeed.
DVD Extras:
A treat. Disc One is the already available goodies: namely two featurettes. The Manhunter Look sounds out DoP Dante Spinotti, while Inside Manhunter proffers contemporary interviews with the leads.Michael Mann's absence is regrettable, but remedied on Disc Two, which includes a director's cut with commentary. The stumbling auteur isn't exactly Quentin Tarantino, but there are nuggets here: on his research, the influence of Pillow Talk (!), and Noonan - who was isolated on the shoot. The alternate cut has minor tweaks, but provides a more satisfying resolution for Will Graham (William Petersen). Mann calls it "the director's preferred version". We prefer it too.
