Red Dragon

December 10, 2004

Rated: R Runtime: 126 min Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Red Dragon is the latest movie featuring Dr. Hannibal Lecter. It is a prequel to Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal. However, it is also a remake of Manhunter which came out a few years before Lambs.

Red Dragon

Confused? Don’t be. You’ll enjoy this movie regardless of whether you’ve seen any of the other movies in the series or not. This is another excellent story by Thomas Harris. Fans of his books and the other movies featuring Hannibal will particularly enjoy this one for the glimpses of Dr. Lecter before he was caught and imprisoned.

Many of the familiar characters from previous stories are here, and a lot of them are played by the same actors from the earlier films. Most importantly, Anthony Hopkins is back as Hannibal Lecter. Hopkins is the master here playing a man who is capable of some of the most heinous acts imaginable while simulataneously having him be so charming that he’s almost a protagonist.

The storyline of this movie first introduces us to Dr. Lecter before he was caught along with the man who caught him. The two are later paired again as Hannibal helps the investigation of another serial killer in his own coy way from the confines of his cell. The story is dark and compelling. Instead of going over the top with the gore as was done in Hannibal, this one is much more subtle and creepy like Silence of the Lambs.

If you’re a fan of all of the previous Hannibal movies, run, dont walk, to the theater to see this one. If you do not know Hannibal, you should. Red Dragon is a solid thriller and well worth seeing on the big screen.

Posted by Billy Bob | Filed Under 4 Stars, Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Harvey Keitel, Philip Seymour Hoffman, R, Ralph Fiennes, Theatrical, Thriller