Red Dragon
Rent & Buy
Former FBI Agent Will Graham, who was once almost killed by the savage Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter, now has no choice but to face him again, as it seems Lecter is the only one who can help Graham track down a new serial killer.
What critics thought
A competent, well-acted thriller that divides critics largely on the question of familiarity: fans of the Lecter franchise found it gripping and atmospheric, while detractors felt the formula had grown exhausted by a third trip through the same material. The performances — particularly Hopkins and Fiennes — drew consistent notice, but whether the film earns its self-serious tone was sharply contested.
“This darkly seductive, flawlessly acted piece is worlds removed from most horror films. Here monsters have their grandeur, heroes their gravity. And when they collide, a dance of death ensues between two souls doomed to understand each other.”
Richard Corliss·Time
“the most refreshing aspect of Red Dragon is its reliance on old-fashioned acting instead of computer-aided gizmos. Hopkins overdoes his role at times—his vocal tones are almost campy—but his piercing eyes are as menacing as ever, and Ralph Fiennes is scarily good as his fellow lunatic.”
David Sterritt·Christian Science Monitor
“If you buy the overprocessed headcheese of the serial killer as refined genius, you'll love Red Dragon. Or maybe not. Even Hannibal Lecter devotees may lose patience with this picture's grandiose, self-serious ponderousness—that's Lecterese for, 'It's kind of boring in patches, actually.”
Stephanie Zacharek·Salon
“Red Dragon's formula is so risible and rote by now that the natural reaction to scenes of peril, torture, and suffering is flippant laughter.”
Michael Atkinson·The Village Voice
Genres
Crime, Thriller, Horror
Cast & Crew
Brett RatnerDirector
Edward NortonWill Graham
Anthony HopkinsHannibal Lecter
Ralph FiennesFrancis Dolarhyde
Emily WatsonReba McClane
Harvey KeitelJack Crawford
Philip Seymour HoffmanFreddy Lounds
Anthony HealdDr. Chilton
Mary-Louise ParkerMolly Graham
Tyler Patrick JonesJosh Graham
Ken LeungLloyd Bowman
Frankie FaisonBarney
Lalo SchifrinConductor
Danny ElfmanComposer
Thomas HarrisWriter
Ted TallyWriter
Dante SpinottiCinematographyRed Dragon
Former FBI Agent Will Graham, who was once almost killed by the savage Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter, now has no choice but to face him again, as it seems Lecter is the only one who can help Graham track down a new serial killer.
What critics thought
A competent, well-acted thriller that divides critics largely on the question of familiarity: fans of the Lecter franchise found it gripping and atmospheric, while detractors felt the formula had grown exhausted by a third trip through the same material. The performances — particularly Hopkins and Fiennes — drew consistent notice, but whether the film earns its self-serious tone was sharply contested.
“This darkly seductive, flawlessly acted piece is worlds removed from most horror films. Here monsters have their grandeur, heroes their gravity. And when they collide, a dance of death ensues between two souls doomed to understand each other.”
Richard Corliss·Time
“the most refreshing aspect of Red Dragon is its reliance on old-fashioned acting instead of computer-aided gizmos. Hopkins overdoes his role at times—his vocal tones are almost campy—but his piercing eyes are as menacing as ever, and Ralph Fiennes is scarily good as his fellow lunatic.”
David Sterritt·Christian Science Monitor
“If you buy the overprocessed headcheese of the serial killer as refined genius, you'll love Red Dragon. Or maybe not. Even Hannibal Lecter devotees may lose patience with this picture's grandiose, self-serious ponderousness—that's Lecterese for, 'It's kind of boring in patches, actually.”
Stephanie Zacharek·Salon
“Red Dragon's formula is so risible and rote by now that the natural reaction to scenes of peril, torture, and suffering is flippant laughter.”
Michael Atkinson·The Village Voice
Genres
Crime, Thriller, Horror
Cast & Crew
Brett RatnerDirectorEdward NortonWill GrahamAnthony HopkinsHannibal LecterRalph FiennesFrancis DolarhydeEmily WatsonReba McClaneHarvey KeitelJack CrawfordPhilip Seymour HoffmanFreddy LoundsAnthony HealdDr. ChiltonMary-Louise ParkerMolly GrahamTyler Patrick JonesJosh GrahamKen LeungLloyd BowmanFrankie FaisonBarneyLalo SchifrinConductorDanny ElfmanComposerThomas HarrisWriterTed TallyWriterDante SpinottiCinematographyRent & Buy