Rating: 
Summary: RED DRAGON
Review: Go see Red Dragon October 4 it's worth it & remember this is the beginning this prequel will be much different than that Manhunter film is & yes Anthony Hopkins is back as the brilliant Hannibal the cannibal Lecter Red Dragon will be truly scary
Rating:
Summary: Hannibal's Back!
Review: For those of you who've seen Hannibal (don't deny it, I know there's alot of you out there)-Forget it ever existed. Silence of the Lambs was a great psychological thriller, but Hannibal was just... Lacking. Instead of repeating the tense drama Silence of the Lambs had, it killed SOTL's best part - the interaction between an FBI agent (Clarice Starling - played by Jodie Foster) and Hannibal Lecter, and replaced it with the constant chasing of Hannibal throughout Europe. Worse still, due to "creative differences" with the script and director of Hannibal, Jodie Foster was no where to be found... But there's hope - and this is my point. The interaction between agent and madman that was so crucial to Silence of the Lambs is back - in a similar (but not identical) fashion. Only this time, instead of Rookie Clarice Starling(Jodie Foster), the FBI agent is veteran Will Graham (Edward Norton). The plot centers around the same "use a killer to catch a killer" theme that Silence had -- with a different serial killer. (The aptly named "tooth fairy") I'm not going to spoil any more of the movie for you, but if you would like an idea of how it's going to play out, do yourself a favor and read the Novel of the same name by Thomas Harris.
Rating: 
Summary: "Are you kidding - It's gonna be such a big disappointment?"
Review: This is gonna be a short review because i am very disappointed. I can't really say that this movie will be bad but after such brilliant directors like Ridley Scott worked on Hannibal and Silence of the Lambs (forgot the director's name), how could they take a prequel and make Brett Ratner direct it? How could you put the director of Rush Hour, which is a comedy, into a psychological thriller like Red Dragon? Sorry guys but I'm gonna have to give it one star.
Rating:
Summary: Will Red Dragon break the Silence?
Review: Obviously the movie is not yet out ,but its great that Anthony Hopkins is reprising his role as Hannibal Lector in the "remake", "prequel" may be even sequel, Red Dragon. This movie has been done before in the late 80's called "Manhunter". Since Anthony Hopkins is not in "Manhunter" and it was released way before the box office smash "the Silence of the Lambs", why not have Anthony Hopkins do just one more Hannibal Lector movie? The idea of draging Hopkins back again to his role he was once famous for, works! But after the gross and slightly disappointing "Hannibal" the series just gets old. The newest people on the project Brett Ratner(Director), as well as Ralph Fiennes, Edward Nortin, etc. So far of what I have seen and heard I can't wait to see it! The Trailer looks creepy ,but so did the trailer to "Hannibal". If you have seen the trailer or interviews with the crew of Red Dragon on ET or Access Hollywood and can't wait till October 8th my advise is go to your nearest video store and rent "Manhunter". It pretty much tells you what the plot will be in Red Dragon. I don't know if their might be changes in the new movie ,but I can promise you that it will have the same plot. I'll revise this review in the Fall, when I will have more info on Red Dragon. Bottom Line: Red Dragon looks awesome even though the Hannibal thing is slowly dissolving away,and it can get you so reaved up for the movies release date that you can't stand any minute, rent Manhunter!
Rating:
Summary: Remember folks, Red Dragon started it all.
Review: Can`t wait to see Sir Antony Hopkins in Hannibal Lecter`s skin again. Red Dragon, Manhunter, a Michael Mann`s film initially, is the one that started it all. Unspeakable merger of great acting + best (and rare) soundtrack (Shriekback`s Big Hush being one of all) = this movie is one of my personal all time favorites. A remake of the Red Dragon is a great challenge indeed. Everyone will be expecting the best and Sir Antony Hopkins is the best one to make this happen.
Rating: 
Summary: Red Dragon
Review: Red Dragon is a wonderful prequel.From what I've heard it is a breath of fresh air from the 2001's Hannibal which trashed the series.Red Dragon is the second adaption from a book; the first adaption was Manhunter which I haven't seen.I'm not sure but I think this was probably a very good adaption; it scare and holds your attention.Alot of it seems very famillar yet it really is a good entry and has a good difference from Silence of The Lambs.The acting is also very good thanks to Anthony Hopkins reprising his role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter.The dialogue is good with deep thought and the riddles by Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter.Any fan of the series will be pleased to now that this film has returned the series to The Silence of The Lambs form.Make sure to check this one out. 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. "Lovers of the original The Silence of the Lambs will be ecstatic to see that cinematic lightning can strike twice."
-- Brian Webster, APOLLO GUIDE
Rating:
Summary: **** 4.2 / 5 [A-]
Review: Previously produced in 1986 as MANHUNTER (by "Miami Vice" producer Michael Mann), RED DRAGON is the adaption of Thomas Harris' best-selling novel and the latest installment in the Hannibal Lecter series. Chronologically the first in the Hannibal series, Edward Norton plays retired FBI agent Will Graham, who is taken out of retirement by FBI Special Agent Jack Crawford (Keitel, taking over from Scott Glenn), because Graham has the psychic ability to see inside the mind of serial killers. Now he's tracking the elusive "Tooth Fairy" (Ralph Fiennes), but Graham knows there is only one way he can get on the right track after all these years of retirement. Now he must travel to the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane and visit insane genius Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), whom Graham put away years ago. This is a high improvement over Michael Mann's cult classic MANHUNTER, returning the Hannibal Lecter series to it's original form. Brett Ratner, director of RUSH HOUR, pulls off his job considerably well. Ted Tally returns to write the film, and does a good job. Danny Elfman scores, and his score is excellent. And, of course, while the cast is all terrific, Hopkins is the stand-out...although Norton (this was his first film that I'd seen) left a good first impression on me. RED DRAGON is also lighter than the previous Hannibal films, particularly THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Thomas Harris fans will be pleased with the outcome of this film, and well they should be. It is a terrific film, top-notch entertainment and the second greatest out of all the Hannibal films.
Rating: 
Summary: So, You like the Good Doctor?
Review: Then, Red Dragon is Ok, worth seeing. But, DO NOT MISS "MANHUNTER"!
Aside from some 80's stylings, most notably the closing music over the credits, while still fitting, dates Manhunter, however, appropriately.
Red Dragon is only compelling in that you "Get More", of the book.
The ending is truer.
The acting, and directing is clumsy.
It's difficult to watch Ed Norton fumble through Will Graham's wondeful legacy of Peterson's portrayol in "Manhunter".
Worse still, is watching Anthony Hopkins spew the same lines as Brian Cox, as the "Original" Hannibal Lechtor. Hideous.
Oh, Tony adds his own "Lechtorism's, but, this film is a money grab.
It's odd too, because Dino owns "Manhunter"!!
So, this movie is ONLY a Remake!
When you watch "Manhunter", you will see where Clarissa got her lines.....
"Silence", is the direct descendant of "Manhunter".
And, with Hannibal (the movie, not the book), being left unfinished, there will more than likely be another money grab, hopefully, however, from a book as brilliantly written as the first three.
Make no mistake, Red Dragon exists, simply to "fill a gap" in time, where something can be sold to those of us, who want more "Lechtor".
Manhunter is by far, the superior Movie.
The film's color, and score, all add to the tension, that was only since recaptured in "Silence".
In years to come, Manhunter will stand as the far more mature movie, as it draws on more time honored cinematic core values. Red Dragon is difficult to watch also, with Lechtor's and Chilton's charachters, hopelessly "Made up" to look as if they're 20 some years younger than (the actors) actually are! It looks silly.
Yes, in the original movie, they were afraid "Red Dragon" would denote a karate film. "Manhunter" is derived from the fact that Will Graham, is Hunting the new serial killer, Frances Dolarhyde.
Bottom Line: I wouldn't advise you miss this movie, if you like the series. But, certainly don't choose this over the real original: "Manhunter". See them both, if you must.....
Dream much, Will? Pete
Rating: 
Summary: Decent Silence of the Lambs prequel
Review: Red Dragon, the third in the series of flicks featuring Dr. Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter is merely okay as a psychological thriller. I found the character development, particularly that of Francis "The Red Dragon" Dolarhyde to be superficial, with Dr. Lecter's character the notable exception. The story was an intriguing one but for the most part the characters seemed to be made of cardboard. Ed Norton, one of the finest young contemporary actors, as the FBI profiler was meek and whiny. Ralph Fiennes, a brilliant classical actor seemed uninspired as the driven and diabolical killer. Anthony Hopkins was brilliant, as usual, as the cultured, refined yet horrific Dr. Lecter. Harvey Keitel was nothing special but Anthony Heald as the self serving and loathsome Dr. Chilton was terrific. With a wonderful cast to work with director Brett Ratner came up short in his shallow adaptation of Thomas Harris' chilling novel.
Rating:
Summary: "Manhunter", updated for the 2000s
Review: Red Dragon, third in the line of "Hannibal Lector" series featuring Anthony Hopkins, is preceded by the 1986 Michael Mann film, Manhunter. Standing alone, Red Dragon is a good solid film from beginning to end; however, I feel those interested in buying this film or otherwise completing the legacy, should get an idea for how the two film versions of Thomas Harris' first Lector novel differ. Red Dragon feels more like a psychological horror film than does Manhunter. Those who remember 80's police action films like Clint Eastwood's "Tightrope" or Silvester Stallone's "Cobra" will find Manhunter in common thriller territory. The tension in Red Dragon is strong throughout the film; however we see little development of the Francis Dolarhyde (Tom Noonan) serial killer (known as the Tooth Fairy). While we see the central elements that define his psychosis, we only barely glimpse at his struggle with his own humanity except for through emotion expressed in Ralph Feinnes' eyes. Tom Noonan's Francis is distant and perhaps zombie-like, and so the character is development more through subsequent scenes. Red Dragon is also more bloody -- appropriate for the times; whereas Manhunter has virtually no gore (that I can recall). Absent from Red Dragon is the 80's power pop-rock music that scores Manhunter. This is perhaps for the best as the music used in Red Dragon actually adds atmosphere to the scenes. The central figure in Red Dragon, FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) is more clearly defined as having a sixth sense that aids him in his investigations. This is less clear in Manhunter as it's arguable that Graham is just highly intuitive. However, William Petersen's portrayal of Graham is darker, more complex. This helps to enrich the drama even more since both the protagonist and antagonist seem to be living inside themselves, shut out from the rest of the world. Brian Cox portrays Hannibal Lector with confidence, but pales in comparison to Anthony Hopkins' more sinister performance. As good a film as Manhunter is, it is difficult to recommend movie fans from overlooking Red Dragon since the success of the film has been built largely on Hopkins' role as the good, er evil doctor. The 4-star rating I gave to this DVD is not based on the caliber of the film itself but on it's presentation in the DVD and on the extras. The DVD is pretty much standard fare for today, which is a good thing; however, I didn't find myself overly thrilled about the extras.
|
