Review of Red Dragon (2002) by Ben H — 28 Jun 2017

While many prefer Manhunter, when seeking a film dealing with Doctor Hannibal Lecter's arch-rival FBI Special Agent Will Graham and Hannibal's subsequent capture/interrogation by him, I prefer Ratner's film.

The interrogation serves to aid in pursuit of Francis Dolerhyde, a serial killer with depth and complexity approaching Hannibal himself, calling himself "The Red Dragon" or as the media names him "The Tooth Fairy".

The character of Will Graham fascinated me, especially in one of the most electrifying sequences of the film, the introduction. The way in which Lecter and Graham have a rousing converstion in which Graham pieces together evidence, alarming Lecter with proof of Graham's intelligence.

Lecter's depature and subsequent return, (during which Will discovers very convincing evidence) to initiate a murderous attack on Will, are exciting as he attempts to bleed the poor FBI agent out.

Will keeping his wits stabs Lecter with a handful of arrows (cultural objects, something Hannibal is fond of collecting), and subsequently shoots Lecter to subdue him, before passing out from severe blood loss.

Truly worthy of being one of the defining moments in the Lecter trilogy and establishes Will Graham as a man with the will to face Hannibal on his own terms, unlike Clarice Starling who is often shown as being intimidated by Lecter's strong mind & force of will.

The ending also evokes great respect for Will Graham & his intelligence as well the sacrifices he makes to stop these sick & monsterous serial killers. I found Ed Norton's Will Graham to be a satisfying foil for Anthony Hopkins' Hannibal Lecter, the criminal genius versus the forensic genius.