Review of Red Dragon (2002) by Junelkean — 05 Jul 2017

Psychological thrillers have been redefined in cinema ever since Dr. Hannibal Lecter told Clarice Sterling that he ate a liver with fava beans and a nice chianti. Sounds like a healthy combination, right? But the prequel to the 1991 film never tells us that story, instead it follows retired FBI investigator Will Graham (Norton) as he seeks for help to Lecter (Hopkins) in tracking a serial killer known as the "Tooth Fairy".

Putting aside Lecter for a moment, Red Dragon works as a cracking detective story that can stand alone without the fearsome yet beloved Hopkins character. Norton also has the capability to stand for his presence in clashing with Dr. Lecter and the Tooth Fairy (Fiennes). Additionally, the disturbing images and cynical irony of the Tooth Fairy elevates the whole tone of the movie as both petrifying and satanic.

The acting are top notched with a supporting cast of Philip Seymour-Hoffman, Emily Watson and Harvey Keitel. There are spaces for improvement in the script and the scenes become repetitive in some parts and familiar as it takes its benefit from its remake, "Manhunter" and prequel, "The Silence of the Lambs".

VERDICT: Not as great as The Silence of the Lambs, due to script issues, but totally dark twisted.