I think it's wonderful. It doesn't have the same sense of encroaching darkness and grime that Silence of the Lambs has, but that's to its benefit. Scenes are more brightly lit, sets are more sterile, but that all adds to the realism. Nothing's really overdone, everything feels like it's firmly happening in our world. I really got the sense that Fincher took inspiration from Manhunter when he was making Zodiac.

I still probably like Silence of the Lambs more since that's the one I watched first, but Manhunter is a close second as far as the series goes. Definitely like it better than Red Dragon.