Old vs. New: Manhunter vs. Red Dragon

NC: Hello, I’m the Nostalgia Critic. I remember it so you don’t have to, and welcome to another rendition of Old vs. New.

(The “Old vs. New” title card is shown, featuring an old man crossing his cane with a little boy’s baseball bat, as dramatic music plays and lightning strikes)

NC: We all know about Hannibal Lecter and his history in movies: ("The Silence of the Lambs" movie poster shown very briefly) Great. ("Hannibal" movie poster shown very briefly) Sucked. ("Red Dragon" movie poster shown very briefly) Great. ("Hannibal Rising" movie poster shown very briefly) Sucked. But one film that gets overlooked at times is actually Lecter's very first apperance. (The title screen for "Manhunter" is shown) This is the 1986 Micheal Mann film "Manhunter."

(Clips from "Manhunter" play out as NC speaks)

NC (voiceover): And holy shit! That's not Hannibal Lecter! I thought he was a British guy with his hair slid back.

NC: Not a British guy with his hair slid ba--Okay, there's some similarities.

(Clips from "Manhunter" and "Red Dragon" play out as NC speaks)

NC (voiceover): But that's just one of the many differences between two films based on the Tom Harris novel: "Manhunter" and "Red Dragon." Both are very different, but both are actually very good too. They have their own unique style, their own way of telling a story, and their own way of showing what their characters are going through. But as always, which one holds up the strongest? Which one comes together the best?

NC: Which one (mimicking Lecter) toughens the nipples with delight? (Normal voice) Well, we're gonna find out today. This is Old vsw New: "Manhunter" vs "Red Dragon."

(The opening sequence features pictures of the characters from both movies, playing snippets of the musical score from each of the films, ending with the title card “Manhunter vs Red Dragon”)