Luke
stu-kicks
CibbuanoRed Dragon
November 13th 2006 09:21
Based on the first (and what is supposedly to be the best) of Thomas Harris’ three Hannibal Lector novels, ‘Red Dragon’ is also the second film version of said book. The style of the direction… is satisfactory. Obviously, this film could never be a patch on ‘Silence of the Lambs’, in any way whatsoever. Anthony Hopkins plays Hannibal Lector for the third time, chewing up the screen whenever the plot deigns to let him appear. Ed Norton does what he can, and Harvey Keital is almost a non-entity. It just seems like there was a lot of book, and the film does it’s best to fit it all in, and we’re given enough information to make certain assumptions and connections, but it’s just not as tight as it should be!
There’s a lot of stuff in ‘Red Dragon’… you’ve got Edward Norton’s retired FBI genius, lured back to the fore by his one-time boss (Keital), and aided by the ever-co-operative anti-hero Lector, tracking down a serial-killer known as ‘The Tooth Fairy’ (Fiennes), who is courting a blind woman (Watson). Not nearly enough time is spent explaining the back story of the Tooth Fairy, who should – by rights – be the centre of the story. But, with all the fuss that has come in years with Hopkins’ portrayal of Lector, the plot of the film is almost a sub-plot. ‘Silence of the Lambs’ worked because Lector was more of a romantic lead than a villain, the main plot was all about Buffalo Bill. Anyway, enough griping.
‘Red Dragon’ isn’t a shit film by any stretch, and I certainly didn’t see the ending coming, so at least that was a nice surprise. Ralph Fiennes and Watson are probably the best of the cast here, but neither is really given a chance to truly run with their roles.
See Also: ‘Manhunter’ (1986), Michael Mann’s film version of ‘Red Dragon’, starring Brian Cox as Hannibal Lector. ‘Silence of the Lambs’ (1991), the superb Oscar-winning film that kicked off all the Hannibal-hype. ‘Hannibal’ (2001), Ridley Scott’s controversial film of the third Lector novel, also starring Anthony Hopkins.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Like the Italian Job (remake) you can tell that Ed Norton had a gun to his head making this. (He was forced under contract)
Poorly edited and lazily performed, nice tattoo though.
Bottom line a typical modern day remake of a fine film.
I am a massive fan of Michael Mann's Manhunter, its my favourite in the series and thought this lacked any of the punch.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
I haven't seen Hannibal but I'd easily put Silence of the Lambs first, probably followed by Manhunter (though a long way behind) and then Red Dragon.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I put Manhunter as #1 (Stylish, controlled with great performances from Timothy Noonan, Brian Cox and Will Petersen)
Then Hannibal at #2 (Fun Black comedy-This is the only one of the films that has suited Anthony Hopkins comedic performance as Hannibal, so OTT its like he is in a theatre play)
Silence Of The Lambs #3 (Well made movie that goes to great efforts to create a realistic, psudeo doco feel ala French Connection- it works until Anthony hopkins appears, hamming it up and removing any believability)
Red Dragon a distant #4
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I just find Anthony Hopkins ruined Silence of The Lambs because it all feels so real till he turns up. Everyone else plays such nuanced, authentic feeling roles and his is like a comic book villian.
Most people hate Hannibal because they are looking for a thriller, what it does is satire the genre with class and pay loving homage to gore meisters of the past. It fits in perfectly with Hopkins larger than life theatrics.
For my money Brian Cox is the only Hannibal that can offers charismatic chills instead of smiles, Tomothy Noonan as teh toothfairy is the most frightening of all.
Comment by BlackWarrior