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Genre
Crime | Thriller
Director
Brett Ratner
Country
USA
Cast
Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson, Harvey Keitel, Mary-Louise Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Frank Whaley, Anthony Heald, Keng Leung, Frankie Faison, Tyler Patrick Jones, Ellen Burstyn
Storyline
To catch a serial killer (Ralph Fiennes) known by authorities as "The Tooth Fairy", retired FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) asks for the help of his arch-nemesis, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), to bring the killer to justice.
So, "Red Dragon" is a decent thriller on its own, but it's a completely pointless prequel, and really nothing if compared to the first film of the Hannibal series.
I still have not read the book, so I don't know whether this film is faithful or not to the material, but I like that there is more Hannibal Lecter than there was in "Manhunter". Because of that, the film has more to show, like the beautiful opening sequence where Dr. Lecter is captured.
But that's where the film's positive aspects end. FBI agent Will Graham isn't anything like I was expecting. While William Petersen did a great job in the role, I was much more excited about seeing Edward Norton because I'm a fan of his. Unfortunately, the average script didn't give Norton the change to do a good job: instead of being a very complex man with his inner demons, and psychological problems, this Graham is just a devoted FBI agent.
Francis Dolarhyde, also known as "The Tooth Fairy", is ruined by the casting of Ralph Fiennes. He may be intimidating as Lord Voldemort, but he is just not the right person to play such a complex character. And once again the script is to be blamed, because Dolarhyde is portrayed as nothing more than a blockhead.
The other members of the cast/characters aren't that better. Harvey Keitel was miscast as Graham's supervisor, and he is quite bad too, and Mary-Louise Parker has to deal with a development-less character. But Emily Watson and Philip Seymour Hoffman both do a decent job.
Overall, "Red Dragon" is unevenly engaging and thrilling, and the only reason for it to exist is that they wanted to make a prequel to "The Silence of the Lambs" using same actors and same locations.
Opinion
Watching "Manhunter" was a terrible mistake, not because it spoiled me the plot, but because I couldn't help but compare the two films throughout the whole running time, and now it's going to be impossible to review "Red Dragon" as a prequel to "The Silence of the Lambs" instead of as a remake to "Manhunter".So, "Red Dragon" is a decent thriller on its own, but it's a completely pointless prequel, and really nothing if compared to the first film of the Hannibal series.
I still have not read the book, so I don't know whether this film is faithful or not to the material, but I like that there is more Hannibal Lecter than there was in "Manhunter". Because of that, the film has more to show, like the beautiful opening sequence where Dr. Lecter is captured.
Francis Dolarhyde, also known as "The Tooth Fairy", is ruined by the casting of Ralph Fiennes. He may be intimidating as Lord Voldemort, but he is just not the right person to play such a complex character. And once again the script is to be blamed, because Dolarhyde is portrayed as nothing more than a blockhead.
The other members of the cast/characters aren't that better. Harvey Keitel was miscast as Graham's supervisor, and he is quite bad too, and Mary-Louise Parker has to deal with a development-less character. But Emily Watson and Philip Seymour Hoffman both do a decent job.
Overall, "Red Dragon" is unevenly engaging and thrilling, and the only reason for it to exist is that they wanted to make a prequel to "The Silence of the Lambs" using same actors and same locations.
I didn't mind this film. It s not as good as Silence but I thought is still was a pretty decent thriller. I actually like Ralph Fiennes in the role and thought he portrayed the anguish of a serial killer who was a monster but you still had feelings for him which was scary
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