Red Dragon Film Review

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RED DRAGON

The good news is Red Dragon is far closer in spirit to the chilling Silence Of The Lambs than the camp and farcical Hannibal. The bad news is that by using Lambs as a blueprint, Red Dragon has an overbearing sense of familiarity. It's a commodity not generally considered an asset in a thriller. Third time around the measured, depraved Hannibal Lecter, so indelibly portrayed by Anthony Hopkins, appears less a genuinely disquieting figure and more a genial, if eccentric, old friend. Nevertheless, like old friends, it's good to see Lecter back. Indeed, it's a shame we don't see more of him as his infrequent presence provides Red Dragon with its best moments.

As well as being held up against the other two films in the trilogy, Red Dragon carries the burden of drawing comparisons with the superior Manhunter, the original version based on Thomas Harris' book which starred Brian Cox as Lecter. The differences between the two are minimal in content, but substantial in look. The gritty underplaying of Manhunter is in stark contrast to the slick flamboyance of Red Dragon.

The film begins with the unsettling sight of Lecter at liberty, enjoying a classical concert. The only hint of what lies beneath his suave exterior is the knowing glance he directs towards the erring flautist, whose later disappearance is discussed over dinner with friends as they compliment Lecter on his cooking. His cannibalistic tendencies are finally uncovered by Will Graham (Edward Norton), an intuitive FBI investigator possessed of the ability to see into the minds of the most sadistic killers. Their gory showdown results in Lecter's arrest and Will's retirement from the FBI.

When two families are slaughtered in ritualistic fashion by a killer dubbed "the tooth fairy", Will is lured away from his wife (Mary-Louise Parker) and son, by his ex-boss Jack Crawford (Harvey Keitel) to help with the investigation. With time against them as they await the next murders, Will is forced to enlist the help of Lecter. Their strained relationship, bonded by a reluctant respect, echoes the one Lecter shared with Clarice Starling in Silence Of The Lambs, but whereas Jodie Foster's character was forceful and spirited, Norton's listless and passive Graham saps much of the film's energy.