This movie was quantum leaps beyond Hannibal, but still severely disappointing. This Thomas Harris trilogy is something I've read over and over again, enjoying it each and every time. I start with Red Dragon and wind down with Hannibal, making sure to savor every page of The Silence of the Lambs. The middle book made the best movie and no one could expect it to be duplicated, but I had no idea it would be blatantly defiled like this. At least Michael Mann's Manhunter was original. Anthony Hopkins is simply not intimidating as Hannibal Lector anymore. The scene with the exercise gym is the best showcase of this (besides never existing in the book). The other disappointment in Lector is the misrepresentation of the story of how Will Graham captured the doctor originally. The novel's version is far more enjoyable as well as more believable, and I'm curious as to what demographics expert changed that.
Harvey Keitel simply does not play a smart enough character to be Jack Crawford. This man is an FBI Section Chief, not some strong-arm cop or hit man; he's educated and has emotions (like guilt for using people the way that he has to).
Ed Norton is phenomonal. He can play any role. What may seem like lifelessness to someone else perfectly portrays Will Graham to me; an empath who somewhat understands what he is and is terrified of his own pathology.
Ralph Fiennes is another lifesaver. At first, I didn't believe he could be physically dominating enough to be Francis Dollarhyde, but I was pleasantly surprised to be corrected, even though he did focus more on the emotional aspect of the Red Dragon than Tom Noonan did in Manhunter.
Anyone who has yet to see this movie, I beg you, miss the very last frame. Just the last line. Stop your DVD/VHS player ten seconds before the credits roll. You'll thank me.
Harvey Keitel simply does not play a smart enough character to be Jack Crawford. This man is an FBI Section Chief, not some strong-arm cop or hit man; he's educated and has emotions (like guilt for using people the way that he has to).
Ed Norton is phenomonal. He can play any role. What may seem like lifelessness to someone else perfectly portrays Will Graham to me; an empath who somewhat understands what he is and is terrified of his own pathology.
Ralph Fiennes is another lifesaver. At first, I didn't believe he could be physically dominating enough to be Francis Dollarhyde, but I was pleasantly surprised to be corrected, even though he did focus more on the emotional aspect of the Red Dragon than Tom Noonan did in Manhunter.
Anyone who has yet to see this movie, I beg you, miss the very last frame. Just the last line. Stop your DVD/VHS player ten seconds before the credits roll. You'll thank me.