Review of Red Dragon (1965) by Cameron J — 03 Aug 2011

Edward Norton was the perfect casting choice, but maybe too perfect, because they've given him the same ol', same ol' to work with. Hey, ain't nobody better at it than him and he once again has a distinction that keeps him from just being Edward Norton playing Edward Norton, but I half-expected a big twist in which Will Graham discovers that he was Hannibal Lecter, all along. Well, that would explain why their performances are neck-and-neck in quality or maybe it's just the fact that no matter how good Anthony Hopkins is as the iconic Hannibal Lecter, it's still one of his best performances ever vs. one of the best performers ever. Eitherway, it's one heck of a Marvel team-up, but even this team can't save the story any newer. The film follows most of the same beats as "Silence of the Lambs". It's not the story itself. The story goes through so many of the same highs and lows as "Silence" and even treads some cliches from the crime-thriller genre, in general, but that doesn't mean that it still doesn't have enough distinctions to keep you into the compelling story, familiar though, it may be.

The storytelling may be too familiar, but it remains quite competent. From the deeply effective hook to the uproarious final act, director Brett Ratner knows how to strike just about every note to create the sharpest amount of suspense and tension and also has the gritty style and chilling score. Of course, he didn't make the film so chilling alone. What keeps the film so tense and complex are leads: Edward Norton as the charming Will Graham, Ralph Fiennes as the twisted Francis Dolarhyde and Anthony Hopkins returning as the chilling and brilliant Hannibal Lecter. As I said, Norton is the dream casting choice for Will Graham and captures his characteristics and charisma better than anyone and when he interacts with the always excellent Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter, the charismas clash and the moment is golden as Hopkins - dare I say it - confronts his match. As for Ralph Fiennes, he's brilliant as our sympathetic antagonist Francis Dolarhyde, fully immersing himself in the struggles of his character and earning our investment in him, not only as the villain, but a troubled soul. Although the character focus does get mildly inconsistent from time-to-time, each lead we focus on brings their own aura of sharp charisma and carries their own portion of the film boldly.

In conclusion, though it may tread much familiar ground, the competent storytelling - boosted by the three remarkable leading performances - ultimately make "Red Dragon" a chilling and immersive crime-thriller.