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38
12 Rounds Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.
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Red Dragon
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MPAA RATING: R for violence, grisly images, language, some nudity and sexuality
Starring Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Mary-Louise Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Anthony Heald
The first and most terrifying chapter in the Hannibal Lecter trilogy. (Universal Pictures)
| GENRE(S): | Suspense/Thriller |
| WRITTEN BY: |
Ted Tally
Thomas Harris (novel) |
| DIRECTED BY: | Brett Ratner |
| RELEASE DATE: |
DVD: April 1, 2003 Video: April 1, 2003 Theatrical: October 4, 2002 |
| RUNNING TIME: | minutes, Color |
| ORIGIN: | USA |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this movie is 6.4 (out of 10) based on 29 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Riren gave it an8:
When you're in Hannibal Lecter's universe, it's sometimes too easy to think all the dark atmosphere comes easy. Red Dragon actually works very hard and does the best job at the true uncomfortable yet tantalizing feel in a 'Lecter' flick since Silence of the Lambs. While a few moments are almost cartoonishly out of place, and a few plot threads only make true sense if you read the book (the Toothy Fairy killer's psychosis began when he was adopted by a violent old woman who so traumatized him that he represses almost everything and needs identities to deal with his feelings), it's quite a good movie. Edward Norton carries the helm so that we don't miss Anthony Hopkins too much, and Hopkins does appear often enough to satiate us, though thankfully not too much to completely steal this movie from the real killer like he did in Silence of the Lambs. Hopkins is who we came to the theatre to see, after all.
Farah D. gave it a10:
The movie " hannibal" was a complete failure so it might be uncounted . 'the red dragon "is exactly the twin of "the silence of the lamp ", it holds the same glorious reasons of smashing success the first chapter possessed . the two transcends old definitions of good and evil but they dig deeper into a more horrifying realms of the human psyche . and in this movie the spectator is as much involved with the criminal as with detective and Dr lecter in between acting the godlike connection .though it fades for some moments , yet the flame of expecting , guessing, waiting, hoping, fearing consumes from within leaving you with an exotic feeling of sweet exhaustion . you are changed somehow although this strange experience has nothing to do with your real life tomorrow morning!
Susan P. gave it an 8:
The story is as usual...but the actors are marvellous, specially Ralph Fiennes Emily Watson.
Michael M. gave it an 8:
The third installment of the Hannibal Lector trilogy, and prequel to both 'Silence of the Lambs' and 'Hannibal' is a great thriller, that is unfortunatly underrated by most critics. In my opinion, this chapter in the horrifying series is better than 'Hannibal' but slightly not as good as 'The Silence of the Lambs'. Red Dragon definetly has the most acting talent - Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keital, Emily Watson, Mary Louise Parker and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Also, Red Dragon has the least blood and gore, but is probably the scariest film of all of them. The story is about a young hero cop Will Graham (Edward Norton) who in the beginning of the film catches Hannibal Lector (Anthony Hopkins), but leaving both Hannibal and him severly injured. After catching Hannibal, Will decides to retire. About a year into retirement his old cop buddy Lt. Jack Crawford (Harvey Keital) asks for his help on a series of murders down by a serial killer (Ralph Fiennes) the police like to call "The Tooth Fairy". Why Tooth Fairy? Because he is a cannibal just like Hannibal and bites human flesh off his victims leaving a series of bite marks. Will decides to investigate the case, and asking help from Hannibal, since he knows how a criminal thinks. This is a great thriller but unfortunatly not as good as 1991's Best Picture winner 'The Silence of the Lambs'. (2/22/03)
Martin L. gave it a 10:
Ok, I like horror movies, but this is probably one of the best.
Pat C. gave it a 5:
Essential viewing for those who've developed an appetite for all things Hannibal. Does some things better than expected, other things not so well. As a remake of "Manhunter" it deviates by going Fatal-Attraction with the madman on the second floor of the home of Norton's suitably terrified family, where no self-respecting calculating remorseless serial hellhound would venture.
James B. gave it a 1:
Red Dragon escapes"0" only out of respect for its good cast. This is, as the high ratings of both the pros and amateurs above suggest, a juvenile, cultist bit of marketing trash for the admirers of the pompous Harris, who broadcasts his nastiness(the trademark of these times) through Lecter, a spirited bore now. The Village Voice critic seems to be the only one to notice, let alone comment on, the alternately silly, and sententious dialogue. Manhunter was no better than good, as far as that goes, but its workmanlike quality suited the police procedural material well, and allowed the less noted cast, especially the now-omnipresent Brian Cox, to do their work well. Norton might appeal to some viewers as another world-weary detective, but to me his portrayal is more somnabulistic than sympathetically jaded. Go for the laughs. Cheers, Mr. Tally!
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