Rating: 
Summary: Less gore than I expected, suspenseful nevertheless...
Review: It's a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs. I have not read Thomas Harris' novel and I don't know how the Red Dragon could be "evil in its purest form." Especially when that form is given life to by Ralph Fiennes. Another reviewer commented that he was a bad choice for the role. I agree. He just doesn't look the part of "pure evil." He looks much too urbane and polite to be the abused-child-grown-serial-killer type of guy. It's ridiculous. Hannibal Lecter definitely does not contribute much to the character development of the Red Dragon. He's there to provide a time reference as well as to link Will Graham to the Red Dragon; to make their lives intersect. That's it. The bulk of the attention is focused on Graham and the Dragon (as it rightly should be).The story begins with two murders already committed and the FBI enlisting the help of Will Graham (Edward Norton). He slowly points out overlooked facts that help the investigation along. He also gets reacquainted with Lecter again after sending him to jail several years back. (The Red Dragon was presumably still "refining his methods" as the story wears along. If Hannibal's brain sauteeing session in the film Hannibal was the type of gore you're expecting from this film, you might be disappointed. I was setting myself up for a really scary muscle-flinching film, but didn't get any.) I liked the plot, but I could certainly have done with less [rear nudity] from the Dragon himself. (He just looked like a pervert in the film. Boo!) I would watch this film for the story and not the acting/casting. LEAP rating (each out of 5):
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L (Language) - 4.5 (good character development through what they say, Lecter is his smart know-it-all self again, Graham is a great puzzle piecer, Dolarhyde is a laconic sociopath)
E (Erotica) - 2 (murder victim crime scene photos, fully tatooed back of Ralph Fiennes, cover your eyes as he's running up the stairs...)
A (Action) - 3.5 (the action comes down as a deluge in the last 20 minutes of the film)
P (Plot) - 4 (tight story with requisite plot twist at the end)
Rating: 
Summary: Did'nt this movie win best picture 10 years ago???
Review: Review: I would never have thought as Anthony Hopkins as a cash raking movie king, but audiences all over seem to enjoy his enthusiastic performance as the uniquely brilliant, and insane Hannibal Lecter. 600 million bucks later, and Hollywood has fed the Lecter fascination with a prequel to the Best Picture winner "Silence of the Lambs". Instead of a beautiful brilliant young woman to seek the advice of the Dahmer wannabe; we have Edward Norton, the cop smart enough to catch him and put him in jail. That's about the only difference between this 2002 installment and "Silence Of The Lambs". Hopkins is in usual top form playing the maniac, and Norton is subtle and reserved as the reluctant investigator out of retirement profiling the killer. Director Bret Ratner ( Rush Hour series ) does'nt have much originality to work from with the script but he manages to effectively build the tension and keep you at least moderately involved while slowly revealing the mindset of the killer played oddly enough by Ralph Fiennes. All in all, as much as Hopkin's delicious performances are a draw to these films, Lecter seems nothing more than a quirky supporting character, and after three times around the presence of him on screen has seemed to lose its ominous nature and is something more of a novelty to behold and chuckle with your date about, and that in my humble opinion is about the biggest thrill this film has to offer. Paul
Rating: 
Summary: "Anthony Hopkins now gumming victims to death" --SPIN
Review: This is the scariest thing I've seen in ages, but there really isn't much to say that couldn't be surmised from a simple viewing of the film. I will say, however, that it is an extremely faithful adaptation of the Thomas Harris novel (believed by many to be his scariest), much more so than 1986's "Manhunter". The casting is perfect, save for a questionable placement of Harvey Keitel as Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn's number must've fallen out of the Rolodex), and the photography is absolutely stunning. I also enjoy the added scenes with Lecter, including the little "Silence" segue in the end: they don't detract at all from the overall picture, and in fact add quite a bit to it. I would recommend this bad mother to anyone who enjoys horror movies and crime dramas. A word of warning, though: it contains some of the most nightmarish images ever witnessed in a major Hollywood picture. Sweet dreams...
Rating:
Summary: Much better than you may have heard
Review: I not only liked Red Dragon, but I have since become annoyed by two reviews I have encountered that were highly critical of the movie (the one was in The New York Times, the other was on NPR). Both treated the movie as if it were tired, not scary and poor compared to Manhunter, which is an earlier treatment of the same story. I am apparently the only person who saw Manhunter who didn't like it. It had a made for TV feel, and the lead character (Graham) was poorly acted. I did not find that movie at all scary or suspenseful. The actor who played Lecter did a good job, but so does Anthony Hopkins here. Both negative reviews used the word "ham" in describing Hopkins' performance. That, to me, is completely beside the point. Was he not "hammy" in Silence of the Lambs? True, Red Dragon is similar to Silence of the Lambs, but the books are similar and Red Dragon came first. To depart significantly would be a significant departure from the book. The challenge of making a suspense movie that many in the audience have read as a book or seen in another adaptation is to keep it interesting. I remained interested for sure. This movie was certainly more interesting than Hannibal. It is that movie, not Manhunter, that Red Dragon should e compared to. Hannibal was overly gory, overly improbable. Lecter became not only a hero, but a superman. Here he is neither. To begin with (literally, the sequence is at the beginning of the film) Lecter is caught. Yes, he's captured in Hannibal, too, but he escapes there. Second, Lecter seems to really hate Graham. Lecter seems to resent him, and by figuring out a way to give his address to the "Tooth Fairy" killer, manages to do something vile even from behind bars. The Lecter of Hannibal is too cool, too sympathetic, and too merciful. Even if, by comparison, Red Dragon isn't as good as Silence of the Lambs (it isn't) or Manhunter (it is), it is certainy much better than the last installment of the Lecter movie series.
Rating:
Summary: So Good
Review: Wow. That's all I have to say about this movie. To be very blunt, it kicked my (...) Ed Norton is very believable as Will Graham, and Ralph Feinnes was brilliant. I didn't much care for Harvey Keitel as Jack Crawford, but I guess that's because I loved Silence so much. Harvey wasn't bad, he just wasn't what I thought Crawford should be. And of course, Anthony Hopkins plays Hannibal Lecter as he always does, which is brilliantly. Thanks to Silence of the Lambs, these types of murder mysteries are my favorite type of movie. I don't want to give the plot away, but I will say that the movie is worth the price of admission and much more. I highly reccommend this movie to anyone who loves murder mysteries, or even just anyone who hated Hannibal to see how Lecter's supposed to fit into a movie.
Rating:
Summary: Hannibal lives on
Review: This 4th movie in the hannibal lecter series is a prequal to"Silence of the lambs" and "Hannibal" and a remake of "Manhunter", but is by far the best.
"Red Dragon" clearly outshines "Manhunter" in every way. The cast and acting is much better.
The cast of "Red Dragon" is mesmorizing. Anthony Hopkins yet again portrays Hannibal Lecter perfect. Edward Norton does a great job as the FBI agent Will Graham. Emily Watson Mary Louise Parker harvey keitel and Pilip Seymour Hoffman all do great in their supporting roles, but the true star of this movie is Ralph Fiennes playing Francis Dolorhyde AKA the tooth fairy. Ralph Fiennes is simply mesmorizing, getting us into the head of the psychotic killer. There are many good movies out right now that you can go see at your movie theatre, but this one is by far the best. Go see it now!!! You wont be disapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Back To Procedural Mystery, With a Superb Cast
Review: Both spotlight reviews here are by writers who didn't see the movie! If you haven't already made up your mind without seeing RED DRAGON, there is good news: we are back in the realm of good, procedural mystery a la SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, with a solid script and a strong acting ensemble. In this, the prequel to LAMBS, we are treated to a bonus scene which shows us how Hannibal Lecter got caught at the height of his killing spree and introduces us to the detective, Will Graham (Ed Norton), who caught up with him. Graham is hauled out of retirement by his old FBI boss (Harvey Keitel) to catch another serial killer, one who begins a correspondence with the imprisoned Hannibal Lecter. Ralph Fiennes plays Frances Dolarhyde, who (as Graham says) "wasn't born a monster; he was made one by years of abuse." Although Dolarhyde's psychopath can be explained, Hannibal, refreshingly, is not. He is allowed just to be the fascinating leopard that he is, oozing intellectual ferocity disconnected from any human relationship. He is, simply, a beast of prey, in all three movies; here, though, Anthony Hopkins is able to add a twinge of wounded pride as Lecter confronts the detective who collared him. The movie loses points for a really silly, Hollywood-style explosion (I mean, what was that man keeping upstairs in that house? Armed torpedoes? What?); and for a cheap button unnecessarily linking us to SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - fading out over the Grahams' boat would have been just fine.
Rating:
Summary: Red Dragon-A True Beginning
Review: Red Dragon, was actually quite good. Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Mary-Louise Parker and Philip Seymour Hoffman star in this suspense thriller based on the first in Thomas Harris trilogy. Director Brett Ratner did a fine job, but it's odd to see him direct this movie knowing that he usually specializes in directions comedies like the very successful Rush Hour films. Anthony Hopkins stars as Hannibal "the cannibal" Lecter, but here he just been placed in prison he was originally a physicatrist. Edward Norton plays the highly intelligent/masterful FBI agent named Will Graham. Harvey Keital plays his boss, John Crawford and Ralph Fiennes plays the iniquitous character, named Franis Dolarhyde. The acting was reasonable and the plot was tricky and cleverly written but probably not sophisticated. The film works very well on its own terms. The action and gruesome footage is not excessive neither extensive. Red Dragon is rated R for Violence, Grisly Images, Language, Some Nudity and Sexuality. Some of the violence is understated, but some quite graphic but not vivid. This film is not so gruesome and over the top as Hannibal (2001), but is not the best choice for young children, including preteens. This film as well as The Silence of The Lambs are the best probaly, but Red Dragon is not as intense and as good as The Silence of the Lambs, but it is worth seeing. The plot is essentially, Hannibal has been caught, and recent murders have occured. Norton's characters needs clues and advise to help him. His perspacacious behaviour does lead to somewhere, but does it lead a resolution. The prime suspect is a horrific and abhorrent individual named Franics Dolarhyde played by Ralph Fiennes, he is the Dragon (WHOA! NOW THAT'S SCARY!). From, here the intelligent and precocious mind of Edward Norton's character, Will Graham tries to solve the hideous and grotesques acts of crime. The best film up to now would probably Man Hunter, but I enjoyed this film, you might too! See RED DRAGON!
Rating:
Summary: This dragon Slays!!
Review: The Red Dragon is on par with The Silence of the Lambs. The performances are fantastic and the score is compelling. Anthony Hopkins opens the "Prequel" at a classical music concert followed by a dinner party for a few of his close friends. At one point during the dinner, one of the guests says to him "Dr. Lecter, this meal is fantastic, what is in the recipe?" Lecter responds, "I am afraid if I tell you, you won't eat it." When the party is over, Lecter is visited by over-ambitious FBI agent Graham, played by Ed Norton. He turns in a great performance as the agent on the trail of "the tooth fairy." He has come to ask Dr. Lecter for some advice on the case. What follows is some of the most intense, nail biting, heart racing, cinema that I have seen in a while. There are many surprises in the movie and I do not want to give any of them away, but I will say that this is a must see. But, here is some info you must know. *The Red Dragon is a prequel, it takes place before The Silence of the Lambs.* Anthony Hopkins - Dr. Hanibal Lecter
Edward Norton - FBI Agent Graham
Ralph Fienes - The Tooth Fairy, aka The Red Dragon, a Lecter devotee.
Emily Watson - "Reba," Fienes love interest who is blind See this movie!
Rating:
Summary: As Good as Silence Of The Lambs
Review: It's unfortunate that this film did not come out before Silence of The Lambs or Manhunter, because many people are comparing it to those two films, when it actually stands on its own in the trilogy of Hannibal Lectar. Red Dragon is more true to Thomas Harris novel than Michael Mann's Manhunter (although both are well made movies). The acting is first rate as you might expect from this stellar cast, and the film is well paced. Finnes performance as the killer is exceptional, and Ed Norton is excellent in his part. Of course Anthony Hopkins again sinks his teeth in the Hannibal part. If you liked Silence of The Lambs, you won't be dissapointed in Red Dragon.
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