A mess. The screenplay does too much meandering, Norton has to recite bland police procedural details, Fiennes wanders around in an attempt to seem weird and distanced, Hopkins looks like a drag queen.
Red Dragon (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:183
Fresh:125
Rotten:58
Average Rating:6.4/10
Consensus: Competently made, but everything is a bit too familiar.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for violence, grisly images, language, some nudity and sexuality
Runtime: 2 hrs 5 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Theatrical Release:Oct 4, 2002 Wide
Box Office: $92,930,005
Synopsis: Based on the novel by Thomas Harris, RED DRAGON stars Edward Norton as Will Graham, the intuitive FBI agent who captured the notorious Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). When another... Based on the novel by Thomas Harris, RED DRAGON stars Edward Norton as Will Graham, the intuitive FBI agent who captured the notorious Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). When another killer, dubbed "the Tooth Fairy," begins a series of bizarre, seemingly random killings, the now-retired Graham reluctantly agrees to aid in the investigation. In order to get further into the mind set of the murderer, Graham consults the imprisoned Lecter, who offers cryptic commentary that the determined agent must decipher. However, the Tooth Fairy himself, Francis Dolarhyde (Ralph Fiennes), is also in contact with the infamous epicurean, and the case soon develops into a deadly cat-and-mouse game, with Lecter deviously playing both sides. Rather than attempting to remake MANHUNTER--Michael Mann's 1986 adaptation of RED DRAGON starring William L. Petersen as Graham and Brian Cox as Lecter--or recreate the monster-movie atmosphere of HANNIBAL, director Brett Ratner wisely chooses to focus on the character-driven specifics of the first Hannibal Lecter novel. As in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, the unblinking Hopkins makes the most out of his screen time as the eloquent yet terrifying former forensic psychologist. Norton is excellently understated as the talented investigator, while Fiennes explores the full range of his conflicted character, from a sensitive man-child to a methodical psychopath. These key performances are enhanced by strong supporting turns by Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Harvey Keitel, and Mary-Louise Parker. Ratner's capable direction extends to his choice of crew, which includes SILENCE OF THE LAMBS screenwriter Ted Tally and production designer Kristen Zea, as well as MANHUNTER cinematographer Dante Spinotti. This collection of talent combines to create an engaging and eerie thriller that brings the Hopkins-as-Lecter trilogy full circle. [More]
Starring: Edward Norton, Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson
Starring: Edward Norton, Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson, Harvey Keitel, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mary Louise Parker, Anthony Heald, Ken Leung, Frankie Faison
Director: Brett Ratner
Director: Brett Ratner
Screenwriter: Ted Tally
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis, Martha De Laurentiis
Composer: Danny Elfman
Studio: Universal Pictures
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Reviews for Red Dragon
Hopkins' third venture into this character's psyche is nearly as solid as his first, sharp and daunting even during the moments when he engages in seeming pleasant conversation with his former government adversary.
Through well-thought out writing and a completely pro cast, it achieves a good level of horror and fear of the boogie man.
The story that hooked me wasn't the centerpiece of the film -- Hopkins and Graham's dual antagonism -- but rather the warped-yet-genuine love story going on between a serial killer and a blind woman.
Bon appétit! Just like a splendid meal, Red Dragon satisfies – from its ripe recipe, inspiring ingredients, certified cuisine and palatable presentation.
Though far from another Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon is a satisfying thriller with enough gore for the blood-thirsty and enough jokes for the ironic-minded.
Imperfect? Yes, but also intriguing and honorable, a worthwhile addition to a distinguished film legacy.
Maybe it's just us, but Hopkins's interpretation is starting to feel like bad drag.
Feels like a movie factory-assembled from proven cinematic techniques, storytelling devices, and actors going through the motions. It mostly works, too, as far as being entertaining is concerned.
Forget arguing about style over substance; here, the style is the substance.
After a year that has seen its share of wealthy, upstanding men and womenexposed as criminals and locked behind bars, along comes Brett Ratner's"Red Dragon," a film about a wealthy, upstanding individual exposed as acriminal and locked behind bars.
Loaded with suspense...Hopkins, Norton, and Fiennes all deliver performances above par...
Latest News for Red Dragon
February 08, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: Comedy vs. Cannibals at the Multiplexes
Moviegoers get to choose between a master comic taking on three roles or a diabolical screen villain in his early years when they walk into their local multiplex this weekend. More...
October 20, 2006:
Early Test Screener Digs the New "Hannibal" Flick
It's time once again for another installment of "Early & Enthusiastic Amateur Film Critic," a regular series of articles over at AICN. This time the test screening... More...
June 05, 2006:
Feel Like Spoiling the New "Lecter" Flick for Yourself?
Frankly I'd rather read a book about Scientology than a "test-screening preview review," but my job is to share the scoopage, so click right here if you'd like to read... More...
May 25, 2006:
Critical Consensus: "X-Men: The Last Stand" On Shaky Ground
We've only got one wide release this week, but it's a biggie: "X-Men: The Last Stand." Brett Ratner is at the helm, virtually all the principle characters are back,... More...
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