Red Dragon (2002)

Director: Brett Ratner

Starring: Edward Norton, Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Watson

A retired FBI agent with psychological gifts is assigned to help track down “The Tooth Fairy”, a mysterious serial killer. Aiding him is imprisoned forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lecter.

Red Dragon might be the first film in the Hannibal Lecter trilogy, but it isn’t really about Hannibal. The film revolves around a killer named The Tooth Fairy (Ralph Fiennes), who admires Hannibal’s work.

I much prefer ‘Red Dragon’ to 1986’s ‘Manhunter’. Why am I comparing these films? Well, they are both based on the same book: Red Dragon. ‘Manhunter’ started off interesting and then became a bit of a tedious watch, whereas ‘Red Dragon’ remained interesting throughout – also thanks to a powerful performance by Ed Norton as detective Will Graham.

Anthony Hopkins reprises his role as Hannibal. (Wait, you said reprise, but above it states ‘Red Dragon’ to be the first film? Well, yeah, ‘Silence of the Lambs’ was the first film, and then came ‘Red Dragon’ as a prequel. ‘Silence of the Lambs’ was followed by the sequel ‘Hannibal’). No one can quite portray Hannibal as effectively as Hopkins does. He completely owns the character, giving the character the creepy undertone he deserves. Hannibal is a forensic psychiatrist, who happens to be a cannibal.

Detective Graham is asked to look at evidence of two killings in different cities – Atlanta and Birmingham – where the evidence and circumstances are almost identical. Ralph Fiennes is excellent as The Tooth Fairy. Being a sadistic killer, it was interesting that the film also showed us his more sincere, intimate and ‘romantic’ side, almost as if he had no control over his wrong-doings…as if driven by a higher force to commit the crimes.

The film builds to a nail-biting climax. This was thrilling, exciting, and also disturbing in many ways. The performances are excellent, and the dialogue intelligent. ‘Red Dragon’ is a good production on every level.

‘Red Dragon’ earned $209 million on a $78 million budget.

Would I watch it again? Yes.