Movie Review: Red Dragon
Release Date: Oct. 4, 2002
5 stars out of 5
Dr. Frederick Chilton curiously asks FBI Agent Will Graham how he managed to capture Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter. Graham turns to him and simply says, "I let him kill me."
Graham (Edward Norton) makes his statement quick and to the point, and that is exactly how Director Brett Ratner ("Rush Hour," "The Family Man") brings Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon" to the screen.
"Red Dragon" was originally depicted by director Michael Mann's "Manhunter," which was more of an artistic rendition than an effort to capture Harris' gripping story. Ratner, on the other hand, focuses on every major aspect of the novel and makes his version of "Red Dragon" a pure and near-perfect cinematic vision of Harris' work.
Sir Anthony Hopkins reprises his role as the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter who has been captured by Agent Graham. After suffering major psychological damage caused by Lecter, Graham retires from the FBI, only to resurface when Agent Jack Crawford (Harvey Keitel) needs him to investigate two mysterious murders.
Francis Dolarhyde (Ralph Fiennes), the serial killer, is labeled "The Tooth Fairy" by the media because of teeth prints left on a victim. Graham is lacking the clues and the time to capture the killer before he strikes again, and is forced to seek advice from Lecter, the last person Graham wants to ask for help.
Favorable comparisons to "The Silence of the Lambs" are inevitable, thanks to a watertight screenplay by Ted Tally, author of the Oscar-winning screenplay for "Silence." From the terrifying class sessions between teacher and student, to the gradual understanding of the killer's mind, "Red Dragon" parallels the screenplay for "Silence." Ratner also recreates Lecter's infamous cell, right down to the holes in the glass, which ushers one of the most creative lead-ins seen in a film in years.
It takes time to get reacquainted with Hannibal Lecter at the start of "Red Dragon." Hopkins is much older now than when he was in "Silence" and "Hannibal," and it takes a while to readjust to Lecter's appearance. However, Ratner makes it up to the audience; he puts Lecter in a stylish 1980's style ponytail before his capture by Graham. Although the entire film is a masterpiece, that band of hair on the back of Hopkins' head is Ratner's greatest visionary triumph.
While Hopkins is the predominant star of "Red Dragon," whose acting, as usual, is top-notch, Fiennes' portrayal of The Tooth Fairy is equally superb. Dolarhyde is a character full of confusion, anger and innocence, and Fiennes gracefully utilizes each emotion precisely when needed. Watching Fiennes fight the Dragon within him is as beautiful and mesmerizing as watching Hannibal play with Graham's mind.
For those who do not know Latin, Hannibal's last name is derived from the word "Lector," which loosely translated means "preacher." That is precisely what Lecter is in "Red Dragon." He guides and teaches Graham, feeding him clues to assist in the capture of The Tooth Fairy.
Norton ("Fight Club") is such a wonderful actor that a simple glance into his eyes allows the viewer to see the gears spinning in his mind. Throughout "Red Dragon," Agent Graham is constantly thinking: He shows pity towards the families that were killed, he shows his resentment towards Lecter, and most importantly, Norton makes it clear that mental struggle is wearing out Graham's mind.
While there is nothing wrong with Ratner's directing, it isn't as technically graceful as Jonathan Demme's ("The Silence of the Lambs") and Ridley Scott's ("Hannibal"). Ratner keeps it simple and places everything the viewer needs on the screen, without the need to look deeper and analyze. Demme's "Silence" was lauded for its subtleties in camera angles, while Scott's "Hannibal" was recognized for its artistic use of violence and gore. While the analytical public will jeer "Red Dragon's" flatness, the casual moviegoer will absolutely love the thrills caused by its piercing directness.
