Friday, October 26, 2012

Halloween Horror Marathon: Hannibal Lecter Franchise Breakdown


Is there a movie villain more deserving of limitless iconic praise than Dr. Hannibal Lecter? Well, that depends. If we only examine Anthony Hopkins’ performance as Hannibal the Cannibal in The Silence of the Lambs, then I think he ranks as high as any film villain out there. But is the character as strong in subsequent films? Allow me to thrill you with my acumen.

Manhunter (1986)
If you’re willing to forget everything you know about Anthony Hopkins’ Lecter, then Michael Mann’s Manhunter is as fine a film that one can find in this franchise. It’s dark, unflinching and very very ‘80s (the music, the dialogue, the cinematography… it bleeds ‘80s, for better or worse).

Former FBI profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is approached to help track down a madman serial killer known as Tooth Fairy (Tom Noonan). To do this, Graham must enlist the help of his archenemy, the man he finally got behind bars, Hannibal Lecktor (Brian Cox). (Note: The people responsible for Manhunter opted to change the spelling of Lector’s name here, for unknown reasons.)

Now, don’t let the name fool you, as Tooth Fairy, Tom Noonan gives one of the most chilling portrayals of a serial killer that I’ve ever seen. Similarly, Brian Cox’s straightforward interpretation of Lecter is the antithesis of Hopkins’ cold, shifty take. And to be honest, one isn’t necessarily better than the other, they’re just different. If you’ve seen Brett Ratner’s hugely inferior remake of this film, then you sadly know most of the semantics behind the plot. Either way, Manhunter is a phenomenal (and phenomenally underrated) suspense thriller. Not to be missed. A-

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
I’m of the school of thought that every single aspect of Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs bleeds perfection. From the acting, to the first person cinematography, hell, down to the font choice of the title credits – there is not a solitary thing about this film that doesn’t work effectively to propel its terror.

As Clarice Starling, Jodie Foster delivers as fine and vulnerable a contemporary acting performance as you’re likely to find. (Note: Is a film made in 1991 still considered contemporary?) And Hopkins, well, what more can I say? How about a stat. Anthony Hopkins is in The Silence of the Lambs for 16 minutes. That’s it. Sixteen minutes, a handful of icy monologues, an impeccable send-off, and a lifetime of infamy. His Lecter ranks with Anthony Perkins’ Norman Bates as the most accomplished villain in cinema history. There’s nothing to not love about it, and the movie as a whole.

Mind the drawings, please. A+

Hannibal (2001)
Those who thought Hannibal wouldn’t work because Foster decided to not return were absolutely right. Sadly, that’s just one of the things that makes Ridley Scott’s film miss.

Well, maybe that’s a tad harsh. Much like Manhunter, Hannibal is just different. It’s much darker, much grislier and much sillier than The Silence of the Lambs. It’s nowhere near as accomplished as Demme’s film, but few thrillers are. Upon rewatching Hannibal for this post, I was completely infatuated with many aspects of it, including Hopkins’ visceral violence, Ray Liotta’s douchebag Justice Department officer, and, especially, Gary Oldman’s bathshit crazy mutilated billionaire.

So, while Hannibal isn’t a complete wash, the relationship it depends on most (that of Lecter and Clarice) simply does not work. I’m not going to blame Julianne Moore (because I never blame Julianne Moore), but something about their rat-a-tat never fully clicks. Oh well, at least the people involved clearly had a ball making it. B-

Red Dragon (2002)
Attempting to ride high off the coattails of Hannibal (which grossed a stunning $351 million worldwide), Red Dragon is a feeble attempt to capitalize off something that was already going down.

As mentioned, this film is a remake of Manhunter, and a faulty one at that. A shame, considering the heft of talent assembled in the cast, including Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mary-Louise Parker, and many more. Despite their efforts, the film’s weak script and often guideless direction turn this into a run of the mill thriller. Hopkins and Norton work well together, and Fiennes is a fantastic psychopath, but, much like Hannibal (but to an inferior degree) Red Dragon never fully hits. C-

Hannibal Rising (2007)
Shit, talk about capitalizing on something that’s going down (or is all but gone) Hannibal Rising is a complete waste of a film. Honestly, I hadn’t seen this movie before this post. And I can tell you now, that was for good reason.

Beginning in Nazi Lithuania, Hannibal Rising gives our beloved serial killer a motive. It explains (or, rather, attempts to explain) why he is the way he is, thereby completely taking the piss out of the man’s mystery. Part of what makes Hannibal Lecter so chilling is that he has no motivation. He’s intelligent, he’s charming, he’s cultured, and he likes to eat people. So be it. Hannibal Rising unconvincingly aims to give the man forced compassion. Please, for the love of God, stay as far away from this farce as you can. F

Hannibal (TV series, 2012)
According to NBC’s website, its new show Hannibal will “breathe new life into a deadly classic” this fall. The series stars Mads Mikkelsen as Lecter and Hugh Dancy as Will Graham, and chronicles their relationship before Graham eventually caught Lecter. I might give the pilot a go, but I’m seriously not expecting high acclaim here. You?


Halloween Horror Marathon Posts:

18 comments:

  1. I actually am quite the fan of Red Dragon. I love love love Fiennes in it, and I like Norton and Hopkins in it a lot too.

    Haven't seen Manhunter but it looks like I will have to very soon.

    I really hated Hannibal. I thought it was such a disgrace to follow The Silence of the Lambs with it. It was comical in all it's gore.

    Finally I LOVE The Silence of the Lambs! I think it breathes perfection too. Foster is incredible and Hopkins's portrayal of Lecter is my favourite cinematic villain, along with Norman Bates (Hi5!). Also, Lecter's and Clarice's weird relationship is like one of my most favourite ever. Is it creepy of me to think of it as romantic? I don't know. I just love that film.

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    1. The Red Dragon cast definitely makes it worthy, but that movie as a whole (especially its ridiculous ending) just don't fully work for me.

      I LOVE that you love Silence of the Lambs. Movie is perfect. And no, I don't think it's creepy at all that you find their relationship romantic. That's what makes it so brilliant: what they have is so profoundly unique. It's the type of relationship that would be laughable without the right actors. It just works.

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  2. O.K., so I can put Hannibal Rising on my list of films to miss. I like what you said about taking the piss out of the man's mystery. My daughter and I were talking about the same thing the other day, and it was one of my issues with Red Dragon. When you try to offer an airtight explanation of someone's bat-shit crazy psychopathy, you kill it.

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    1. You kill it indeed. Pisses me off. Do not see Hannibal Rising under any circumstance. It's so beyond awful, and offers nothing but a waste of time. Stupid.

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  3. Mads Mikkelsen as Hannibal Lector...? I might see this.

    While everyone I know prefers Silence of the Lambs but I much prefer Manhunter for its atmosphere, Brian Cox's very understated performance, and that chilling climax that features the most disturbing use of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida".

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    1. Yeah, Mikkelsen is great casting. Definitely has me curious to check it out. But with the shackles network television provides... it might be a wash.

      Oh you're definitely not the only person I know who prefers Manhunter. In fact, when I first saw it, I thought it was better than Silence of the Lambs. It is a damn fine film indeed.

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  4. Count me as another big fan of Manhunter. I'm not sure I'm willing to call it better than Silence of the Lambs--as you say, it's merely different. It's a helluva good film, though. Cox's portrayal of Lec(k)tor is as different as it can be from that of Hopkins, but no less unnerving for it.

    And damn, but Tom Noonan is creepy as hell!

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    1. Nice! Glad to hear you're a Manhunter fan. It has always been out shadowed by Silence of the Lambs, which is understandable, but kind of a shame. Noonan rocks in that flick.

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  5. I've never seen Manhunter or Hannibal Rising, but Silence of the Lambs is one of my top ten films of all time! I agree with you about Hannibal - it's not a fantastic follow up, but it's not horrible. Hopkins is still freakin' creepy! When I saw Gary Oldman's face for the first time I couldn't sleep that night (don't quite remember how old I was when I saw this - forgive me for being a wimp, ahah) As for Red Dragon, I honestly don't remember how long it's been since I saw it. I remember the finale scaring me (when Graham walks in to see the smashed mirrors) and I remember being freaked when Fiennes captures Hoffman and....yeah...

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    1. Yup, we're pretty much in agreement here. Hannibal and Red Dragon have aspects that are good, but no where near live up to Silence of the Lambs.

      I HIGHLY recommend Manhunter!

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  6. An A+ for The Silence of the Lambs? I'm definitely rewatching that one soon then. Haven't seen Manhunter or Hannibal Rising, and I might give the series a look. Nice breakdown man.

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    1. Thanks dude. Hell yeah, definite A+ for Silence. Skip Hannibal Rising, dig on Manhunter.

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  7. I recently named my top 10 favorite movies from among all the ones I've reviewed and The Silence of the Lambs was on it, so you know I think it's a fantastic movie. Honestly, every other Lecter movie really pales in comparison, even Manhunter.

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    1. I agree, Manhunter is a very good film in my eye, but it doesn't achieve what Silence of the Lambs does. Glad to hear you're such a Silence fan.

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  8. I see I made the right choice skipping Hannibal Rising :) Oh man, Oldman in Hannibal is one of the most disgusting and disturbing things I've seen, I'm actually fond of the film but I always fast forward his scenes, it's just too much to look at without messing my brain.

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    1. I remember the first time I saw that flick, I don't think I realized it was Gary Oldman until the credits. So grotesque and awesome. Yes, fast forward is a viable option there.

      Hannibal Rising suuuucks.

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  9. I love The Silence of the Lambs, it was my favorite horror flick. Hannibal...is...bloody to be bloody. Not my thing. But I enjoy Red Dragon, JUST the cast. Hannibal is a better film than Red Dragon but I enjoy less. The cast of Red Dragon really makes the film watchable. I might want to check Manhunter. Glad I skipped Hannibal Rising.
    What do you think about the TV Hannibal?

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    1. I still haven't seen the TV show! I should check it out sometime soon, heard nothing but good things. Manhunter is very good, but nothing like any of the other films listed here.

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