Red Dragon has been directed by Brett Ratner, he of the Rush Hour movies. If that's a step down from Jonathan Demme and Ridley Scott, it turns out not to be a very big one.
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.
Runtime: 2 hrs 5 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
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
Reviews for Red Dragon
Ratner's dedication to making a faithful adaptation that makes this film more than a marketing cash cow.
Ratner knows the strength in Hannibal's evil charisma and the potential limitations in Hannibal's overexposure.
When the credits are done rolling, and your friend asks you what you thought of the movie, you'll no doubt find yourself repeating one of Dr. Lecter's favorite phrases: Goody-goody.
An all-star cast in a thoroughly entertaining suspense flick that will give even the sleepiest members in the audience a jolting wake up call from the very first minute.
A maddening tug-of-war between opposing forces: devotion to its cinematic mother figure, the Oscar-winning 'The Silence of the Lambs,' and a desire to break free and live its own life.
Director Brett Ratner, purveyor of the Rush Hour movies, exhibits neither the skill nor the patience to turn this remake into a memorable film. It's adequate but unsatisfying, a middling affair that neither dazzles nor particularly frightens.
...as far as thrillers go, this is certainly a consistently entertaining and exciting one.
I’m sad to see Lecter ride off into the sunset, but if this is the way they’re going to finish him off, then I implore you all not to miss it.
You have enough finely tuned acting to compensate for the movie's failings.
This movie restores Hannibal Lecter's macabre fascination. It honors the character and Anthony Hopkins, not the Halloween costumes and campy catchphrases.
With one exception, the performances are certainly accomplished, yet no one truly shines, not even Fiennes.
Looking as if he wants to apologize for something, Norton gives a surprisingly flat performance.
Red Dragon reaffirms the Silence thesis that depravity is most unnerving when it appears to occur on the street where you live.
It also insists there be a physical correlate to that internal turmoil, that we be able to see the mark of his degeneracy on the surface of his body.
Just when you think the picture can't go any farther over the top, it finds a whole new peak to tumble over.
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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