You can say that Anthony Hopkins "isn't hot" or "isn't scary" as Hannibal Lecter. You're wrong, but you can say it.
You can say that Mads Mikkelsen is the best Hannibal Lecter. Again, wrong, but you can say it.
What you can't say is that Mads's Hannibal is the better psychiatrist of the two.
The way Tony's Hannibal draws out Clarice's most traumatic childhood memories is unmatched. The way he guides her through it. The way he focuses fully on her. The way he uses his voice! It's believable that Tony's Hannibal could convince a man to swallow his tongue just by talking to him.
I think the way Tony uses his voice is a good example of the difference between being a classically trained theater actor and being a screen actor. He knows how to use his voice in the most impactful way and he enunciates.
When Mads's Hannibal tells you to do something it’s a suggestion. When Tony's Hannibal tells you to do something it's a seduction.
