'80s Class: Manhunter (1986)

 A fun look back at how a Film Series truly began.  It's just a shame that this Film is overshadowed by the next Film.

This is Michael Mann's Manhunter or, if you're cheeky, Michael Mannhunter.
Thank you- try the fish!

Why is this called Manhunter?  Well, Producer Dino De Laurentiis saw the failure of a 1985 Film called Year of the Dragon and said 'No Dragon Films.'  No, really.

The Plot involves a strange killer who targets families during Full Moons, since Thomas Harris was writing these by way of a dart board apparently.  All kidding aside, an intense Detective must risk his sanity to go back into this world.

Is this version of Red Dragon the true, proper version or a very dated Film?
To find out, read on...

*** This is another one of those Reviews where I have to say which Version I'm watching.  This is for the 2001 Director's Cut, as opposed to the Theatrical, the Hybrid Cut (Theatrical with random DC footage) OR the Restored Director's Cut.  ***

All clear?

Peterson is approached by his former Boss- Dennis Farina- at his home in Clearwater.  Hey, neighbor!

They want him to stop The Tooth Fairy- not be confused with the Star of about 40 Horror Films- who is targeting whole families, as noted, during Full Moons.

He also Films his exploits, shades of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

Can he ignore the danger that some random family will face in about 2 weeks time?

Can he survive the experience with his sanity intact?

Why is this House so blue?!?

The evidence is slim, so Petersen must channel the mindset of the Tooth Fairy, proving to be a bit much for even himself.

He even accidentally leaves some crime scene photos out on a plane, which is a whole thing.  

They weren't allowed to use a real plane at first, so they got on a flight, bribed the crew with jackets and shot it.

The big draw here is the debut of Hannibal Lecktor and, yes, it is spelled like that here.  I don't know why.  Does it look more Irish/Scottish that way?

In his 3 Scenes, Brian Cox really shines and his influence on the Story emanates throughout.

Seeing him manipulate a rotary phone and Phone Operator to get Petersen's Address is surreal in 2023.

Noonan is a sneaky killer, as he doesn't fall for a trap set by our Heroes when they state that 'he is gay' in a Press Release.  Sigh.  '80s gotta '80s.

He kills the Reporter (an unrecognizable Stephen Lang) and we see that he really wants to be loved and 'have a family.'  

Aw, that's so...nope, can't do it.

He meets up with a blind woman- Joan Allen- and we get a really random Scene where he takes her to 'see' a drugged up Tiger, which she rubs all over.

'80s gotta '80s.

And yes, I get the subtext of how she doesn't realize that the Tiger is actually a dangerous Predator- like Noonan- and just enjoys being around them.  Thanks, Michael.

Can he figure out who The Tooth Fairy is?

Can he save the next potential victims?

Will this battle of wits and figuring out forensic evidence somehow end up in a shoot-out?

To find out, check out one of the many Cuts of this Film.

A great Film, both in spite of and because of its true '80s nature.  It's Michael Mann and he's knee deep in the middle of being all about Miami Vice.  Remember this for what I cover tomorrow.

For better or worse, the Film is a very '80s one.  It has crazy synth, neon and some dated technology by modern standards.  What makes the Film stand out is that they have to analyze the evidence to a greater degree than in other Films/Shows of its day.

Hey, you should get that Michael Petersen guy on a Show about analyzing Crime Scenes!

If you can accept that the focus is quite split between Petersen's psyche, his home life and also the Serial Killer- who isn't shown for quite a while.  Other Films might focus way more on the crime, but not this one- in all of the Cuts.

If you want to see a weird Film with said focus, this is for you.  I don't want you to waste your time, like this poor guy did putting the Tattoos all over Noonan...that Mann didn't like and never showed in the Film.  Ouch.

Next time, let's check out what happened when someone decided to Remake this Film in 2002.  Are we going to ask why Lecter is a Decade older than he was in Silence?  Stay tuned...