RED DRAGON
*** out of *****

Genres
Crime
Horror
Thriller

2002
Directed by
Brett Ratner
Written by
Thomas Harris (novel)
Ted Tally (screenplay)
Cast
Anthony Hopkins .... Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Edward Norton .... Will Graham
Ralph Fiennes .... Francis Dolarhyde
Harvey Keitel .... Jack Crawford
Emily Watson .... Reba McClane
Mary-Louise Parker .... Molly Graham
Philip Seymour Hoffman .... Freddy Lounds
Anthony Heald .... Dr. Frederick Chilton
Ken Leung .... Lloyd Bowman
Frankie Faison .... Barney Matthews
Tyler Patrick Jones .... Josh Graham
Lalo Schifrin .... Conductor

In 1981 novelist Thomas Harris introduced one of the most terrifying figures in popular literature, Doctor Hannibal Lecter, in the book Red Dragon. The book was a moderate best seller and sparked a loosely based film adaptation. The film was released in 1986, re-titled “Manhunter”. TV producer and creator of the hot show Miami Vice, Michael Mann, directed and cast actor Brian Cox to play the role of Hannibal. The contemporary cops-and-robbers melodrama was told with a very Miami Vice-esque slickness that didn’t really register at the box office. The film was quickly dismissed and only managed to gross about half its production cost. Since its release the film has garnered a cult following, but it wasn’t until five years later that Hannibal would resurface again, this time in the low-budget thriller Silence of the Lambs.

Filmmaker Jonathan Demme, who until then made a string of forgettable films, helmed the picture with an A-list star, Jodie Foster, and classically trained actor, Anthony Hopkins. Released in February of 1991, the film became an instant hit. Later that year it garnered a slew of Oscar nominations and won all 5 of the top honours: Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Adapted Screenplay. Ever since then, Hannibal has been an icon in popular culture. The popularity of the character spawned a series of spoofs and commercials that imitate Anthony Hopkins’s performance. Phrases from the film were memorized and used by people around the world.

But it was another ten years before the character of Hannibal would make it back to the big screen. It would have been sooner had the rights of the film not been tangled in a legal web that took a decade to untangle. This time the film, Hannibal, was produced by Dino De Laurentiis, and the production of the third film in the Lecter series was a bumpy ride. None of the principle crew would return, Demme passed as did screenwriter Ted Tally. Even Jodie Foster declined to reprise her Oscar-winning role as Agent Clarice Starling.

A complete over-haul occurred. Director Ridley Scott was hired hot off the heels of Gladiator. The film generated an unprecedented amount of hype, but eventually was received with mixed reviews from both audiences and the media. The film was very different in structure and style to Silence of the Lambs and, although a box-office hit, didn’t quite live up to its predecessor. But that didn’t stop De Laurentiis from continuing to exploit the character’s popularity. Soon after Hannibal finished its theatrical run yet another Hannibal film was announced, this time a re-make of Manhunter. The first book was going to get an update, and Red Dragon went into production in 2001.

The project attracted a lot of attention. Silence of the Lambs screenwriter Ted Tally signed on to pen this version and A-list Hollywood names were all in the vying for a role in what was said to be an incredible script. But it was the choice of director that confused a few people, Brett Ratner, who made a name for himself making the action comedies Rush Hour and Rush Hour 2, was commissioned to take on this project. An odd choice for a director to be sure. Could this guy really pull out a physiological thriller? Or would it bomb? In 2002 those questions were answered as the prequel to Silence premiered to great reviews and a greater box-office reception.

In Red Dragon, FBI Special Agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) has been called out of early retirement to catch a serial killer, known by authorities as "The Tooth Fairy" (Ralph Finnes). But in order to do so he asks for the help of his arch-nemesis and the man who he captured and jailed, Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. Graham requires Lecter’s knowledge and experience in killer profiling to help him catch "The Tooth Fairy" and bring him to justice. The only problem is that "The Tooth Fairy" is getting inside information about Graham and his family from none other than Dr. Lecter. A cat-and-mouse game ensues between Lecter, Graham and “The Tooth Fairy”, as Graham must find him before another victim is killed. To make matters worse a media rat, Freddy Lounds (Philip Seymour Hoffman), is snooping at the case and trying to expose Graham’s involvement with Lecter. All these elements culminate in one seriously thrilling conclusion.

Red Dragon is generally a well-crafted piece of cinema, all the elements are there for an enjoyable ride: well-performed characters, excellent set pieces, crazy killers and suspenseful action. But it does fall a little short, in the sense that although it is well made, the script does feel a like a paint-by-numbers. As far as thrillers go you won’t see anything new here, the charm, or rather, entertaining aspects of the film lie with its main character Lecter, it’s always gratifying to see Hopkins back in the role that he is most remembered for. Other performances in the film also standout, for example Ralph Feinnes’ “Tooth Fairy” is equally disturbing as the flawed serial killer with a sensitive side.

The film itself is full of tense moments, some that will make you jump and other that will make you sick (especially the crime-scene walk-through). It’s no secret that the production value on this film was high so what we get are very accurate and often gruesome scenes. It’s debatable whether this film is better than Manhunter, or whether it should have been made. Either way this film doesn’t demerit the Lecter franchise, it’s a worthy addition and a far better film than Hannibal was.

Finger_Of_DOOM's reviews also appear on DVD Compare, where they include details of the DVD release. For this review click here.

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