Rating: 
Summary: The Moose Hole - 'Dragon' Spreads Wings But Doesn't Fly Far
Review: Before Hannibal ... Before Silence of the Lambs ... There was evil in its purest form ...That is the tag line Universal Pictures is using to lure in fans of Hannibal the Cannibal into the latest feature film. Though younger fans of the Hannibal Lecter series may be amazed at the originality of Red Dragon, the older fans may believe that the story for the highly anticipated sequel is all too familiar. And they would be right. Red Dragon is actually a remake of the first Hannibal Lecter film, Manhunter, which was released to little public acknowledgement back in 1986. In Manhunter, Dr. Hannibal Lecter was played by Brian Cox. Now veteran actor Anthony Hopkins returns to the role that made he made famous in Silence of the Lambs. But returning to a famous role can have its downs as well as its ups, just look at Hannibal. Granted the highly anticipated sequel had a huge opening weekend (the largest opening weekend for an R-rated film until The Matrix Reloaded opened) but due to lackluster reviews and some public panning, the film dropped quickly from the public eye. Will Red Dragon be doomed to suffer the same fate as its predecessor or will it be able to bring the series back to its former glory? The story takes place several years after Dr. Hannibal Lecter is captured by FBI agent Will Graham in a bloody confrontation that leaves both with permanent scars from the event Though Graham has left the FBI because of the capture of Lecter, he is still sought out by Agent Crawford who needs help in a special case. It is believed Will possesses an ability to get into the mind of the criminal and capture them quickly. After searching through evidence of the disturbing murders of two families, Will admits that had help in his cases. That help came from Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who is now in jail serving nine consecutive life sentences. Now Will must face his greatest fear of confronting Lecter again. If he doesn't, more and more people will die at the hands of this serial mad man. The story of Red Dragon is pretty well done compared to Hannibal. It sets up a good opener of how Lecter was captured but the injures sustained by Lecter in that confrontation are not fully explained in the course of the film, which causes some confusion as they seem to focus more the injuries of Will Graham then Lecter. Other then that small squabble, the story envelops the audience and really brings them into a suspense thriller that is well played. The cast for Red Dragon is pretty large and offers a variety of talented actors and actresses from many different backgrounds. Anthony Hopkins once again offers a stirring performance as Hannibal the Cannibal. He presents a character that is not only intelligent but one that will leave chills down your back long after the movie is over. He plays him so well that it seems that he was destined to play Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Edward Norton gives a good performance as Will Graham. His character isn't cared for as much as Clarice in the previous Lecter films but then again, the audience isn't as attached to him as they are Clarice, emotionally that is. Ralph Fiennes presents a quite but twisted look to a serial killer. He plays the role straight out as a man who knows what he is doing is things that are wrong but has no emotional control over himself. Other characters within the film are played as they should be and do not stand out amongst the earlier mentioned cast but still are pretty good overall. Overall, Red Dragon was a good film but not a fantastic film. The story played well with its two hour time frame but there several moments that offset the generally good film. There were parts in the plot like the ending to the confrontation between Lecter and Graham in the opening sequence and whole ending to the film that caused confusion and really let down fans of the series. The ending to this film could have been taken to a whole new level but the filmmakers stuck with one that was sort of expected. Not to say that everything in the film was bad. The story played out for the most part except for the previously mentions plot holes. The acting from Hopkins, Norton and Fiennes really set this film from the rest of the trash that is currently cluttering the box office theaters. Plus the way Red Dragon transitions itself into Silence of the Lambs film by introducing Clarice but not showing her was very well done by the film makers. But all those good things can't take away the feeling the audience was a little cheated with the ending. This is a good film to see opposed to trash like Knockaround Guys and The Tuxedo which may or may not be getting more attention then films like this.
Rating: 
Summary: Wheee
Review: I finally had a chance to see this movie. It's no Silence of the Lambs but it's good. Edward Norton has always been a great actor.. Primal Fear, Fight Club, American History, etc, etc. He can mix it up unlike most. This movie fit him quite well. And of course Hopkins always does quite well. He's got a level of sarcasm to add to the narcism and it works nicely. Although a movie was made in the past based off the Novel it wasn't as good or loyal to the novel like Red Dragon was. I wish I enjoyed Hannibal as much as I enjoyed Red Dragon..
Rating: 
Summary: Most excellent
Review: While Silence of the Lambs is still my favorite movie because of the stunning acting of Hopkins and the engaging storyline...this one is a close second. This is the beginning of the Hannibal Lechter saga.....I wont give away any of the movie but I will say this: If you liked Silence of the Lambs you will like this one also. Enough said!!! Go see it hehe
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Summary: this movie sucky, sucky
Review: it wasn't violent enough
will graham was a big p!@sy
it was for sure a remake of silence of the lambs without the drama and suspense
Rating:
Summary: By far the best of the trilogy!
Review: Let's get the Red Dragon vs. Manhunter thing out of the way; seeing how almost every reviewer wants to compare them. Thomas Harris refused to let the makers of Manhunter use his title with good reason: " Manhunter " was an absolute butchry of the novel! i thought that LONG before Silence of the Lambs was ever released! The acting, the music, the Miami Vice look to the characters { obviously Micheal Mann was transfering his television imagery to film at the time )was just terrible. and I'm sorry---Brian Cox is a good actor; but he NEVER at anytime struck me as the kind of creepy socipath who could literly crawl around in your skull! And the guy who played Dolyerhyde was as wooden and bland as they come. ANYWAY---Red Dragon, on the other hand, is far more faithful to the novel, although it does extend Lecter's part for Anthony Hopkins, but that is more than a welcome change! Edward Norton, despit his youth, is far more believeable as Wil Graham, the tortured " iddecker " profiler who is called out of retirement by Crawford, portrayed by Harvey Kietal, who is far better in the role than Scott Glenn was. And in Norton, we finally have an intellectual advasary capable of matching wits with Lecter, seeing how his character IS the one who caught him { always thought Foster was miscast as Starling, as great a movie as it was....Juliane Moore made the charcter a STRONG female lead in " Hannibal " [ don't get me wrong I love Silence too] }. Ralph Fiennes is an evil nighmare personified as Francis Dolyerhyde; but unlike the awful actor in " Manhunter ", he is able to make a monsterous character sympathetic, and this movie gives us more insight into Dolyerhyde's past and what made him INTO a monster. Emily Watson is expectional as Dolyerhyde's only redeeming quality Reba; Anthony Heald is back and in fine form as Dr. Chilton, who will NEVER get the better of Lecter { and will eventually end up on Lecter's menu by the end of Silence! }; and Anthony Hopkins, of course, is top notch as evil incarnate Hannibal Lector, who even as he appears to help Graham track the Dragon, plots the FBI's agent's demise from the confines of his cell. And Danny Elfman's score is nothing short of magnificant. Skip Manhunter...it's up there with Halloween III as being one of the worst movies of all time; except HIII has the redeeming quality of being horridly funny in moments. RED DRAGON is the way Thomas Harris wanted his novel to be done on screen; he's said so himself. Kaenan
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Summary: The First Chapter of the Lector Series.
Review: Will Graham (Edward Norton), a former FBI agent is been asked by his former mentor & friend (Harvey Keitel) to invesgate the Murders of two different families, which the Murders are Identical. When his mentor tells Will to see a former Psychiatrist & Forenstic doctor-Hannibal Lector (Oscar-Winner:Anthony Hopkins), which now Lector is in Prison for Murdering his Patients and then Eating their Body Parts. Since Will caught him, which Lector could help him to catch the Serial Killer (Ralph Finnes). Which the Killer kills a family each month on a Full Moon. Directed by Brett Rather (The Family Man, Money Talks, Rush Hour-1 & 2) made a surprisingly effective suspense thriller, which is a Change of Pace for Rather from directing Successful Comedies. This is not a remake of the Underrated-Micheal Mann`s Version (Manhunter-1986). Hopkins reprise his famous role in a supporting role (Which the Original Apadation was played by Scottish Actor:Brian Cox). Norton is Good as Graham but he lacks William L. Peterson`s intensity performance from the 1986 film, what made Manhunter a memorable terrific film. Finnes is the Standout as the Deranged Serial Killer:Francis Dolarhyde (Dolarhyde Character in Manhunter was Played by Tom Noonan, which Noonan gives a much more Horrific and Scarier role.) Emily Watson, Mary Louise Parker & Philip Seymour Hoffman have good supporting roles in this also. Producer:Dino De Laurentiis, Cinematographer:Dante Spinotti & Actor:Frankie Faison (Which Faison did appear in all adapations of Lector`s series) are involved again in the new version. Which this film is probably a more faithful adapation of the Thomas Harris novel into a film but Mann`s Version (I Think) is a Stronger, Compelling & Fascinating film (Which it has a genuine, absolutely terrific ending). DVD`s has an strong anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an sharp-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. This 2 Disc Set has an Entertaining Commentary Track by the Director and Oscar-Winner Screenwriter:Ted Tally (The Silence of the Lambs), Deleted Scenes, Extended Scenes, Alternative Takes all with/without Commentary by the filmmakers. An amusing Production Dairy & more. This film might like it better Mann`s Version or Rather`s Version, so Judge it for yourself. Because Both films are Good but different. Panavision. Grade:A-.
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Summary: Intimidation factor: high ...
Review: ...and the Hannibal saga goes on. The third installment of this trilogy had a few surprises up its sleeve: notably, the incredible cast, secondly that it's a very worthy continuation of the other two (a lot of people were expecting it to fail dramatically).
This time around it's Lecter back to his coaching methods again as he directs an FBI agent (Edward Norton) to find the "tooth fairy" killer (Ralph Fiennes).
The new elements in this film compared to its predecessors are that it contains more fear, more intimidation, and less dosages of dark humor. All these work in a positive way: they are not overblown out of proportion, in fact the film is superbly balanced throughout.
And, speaking of balance, the biggest trick is balancing big time actors like Harvey Keitel, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes and of course Hopkins himself. Indeed, it's not Hopkins that dominates the proceedings here (even though it's impossible to even think of ignoring his presence) but Fiennes portraying the psychoting serial killer that the "doctor" is helping to track down. Fiennes gives a memorable (and tone setting) performance in one of his very best roles of his career.
Fiennes's performance helps shift the focus point from Lecter in an overwhemling way. Aided by Norton's subtle but ultra-convincing acting the whole film becomes a classic not only for fans of the Hannibal trilogy but for fans of the genre in general. Keitel is great in his rather small role and it goes without saying that Hopkins maintains his reputation as one of the all-time classic cinematic psychos.
The script is very well-crafted and maintains the suspense and the "edginess" from beginning to end, but what really does the trick are the dark optics that accompany it particularly the sequences involving Fiennes and his horrifying deeds.
As it has been mentioned already "Red Dragon" can be viewed either as a sequel to "Hannibal" or a prequel to the previous two parts. But even if viewed as a sequel it's actually incredible when you think that it could've been a disaster especially because of the hype prevailing the other two films before it. It's far from that, it's simply a great film.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not anything to write home about
Review: Okay, I'm a huge fan of Thomas Harris, and I loved the movie Silence of the Lambs. Any film following that is going to have big shoes to fill. That being said, the Red Dragon does a reasonably good job. A couple points. Yes... I have read several reviews saying that this is very similar to Manhunter (which I have not seen). But, since this movie is based upon the same book that Manhunter was, should it be any surprise that it is similar? It's the same story people! If you are looking for a surprise twist, maybe you should rent another movie! I will agree, however, that Ed Norton is probably not the man to play Will Graham. I think Norton is a fantastic actor as seen in his potrayal in American History X and Primal Fear; but, as a man who is supposed to be an older experienced cop, who loves to hate investigating serial killers, Norton falls short. Also, while I enjoy seeing Anthony Hopkins play Hannibal Lector, his part in the book is minimal, and it is overdone in the movie to please the Silence fans. All in all, it is a good adaptation of the book. Could it have been done better? Probably. If your looking to be entertained on a Friday night, will it do? Yes. As long as you aren't looking to be blown away, you'll be pleased with the Red Dragon. It's a psychological thriller, but keep in mind, it was Harris' first book. If you don't try to make it live up to Silence you shouldn't be disappointed.
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Summary: SUCKED
Review: This movie sssssuuuuuuuuucccccccckkkkkkkeeeeeeeddddd. that is
right sucked. it was a sucker movie
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Summary: Film creators need to read the book!
Review: Those who read the book knows that the movie is not 100% accurate. This really annoys me. In the book, Francis Dollarhyde was supposed by really ugly. Ralph Fiennes does not seem to be ugly. In fact, he was more good looking. This is important because it is one of the reasons why he is messed up. His mom left him because of what he looked like and thus his grandma took care of him. That's why he still lives in his grandma's house. Anyway, there is more to Francis' background.......BUT WHERE WAS THIS IN THE MOVIE????There was barely any info on Francis' life. That's why audiences are like, "what the heck? why is he like this?" Hint of advice for movie creators- Read and understand the importance of the book!
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