Film Review: Red Dragon (2002)

(source: tmdb.org)

Large number of Hollywood remakes can’t be explained with lack of creativity alone. Many of such remakes would not have been produced if not for audience having short memory or, for one reason or another, failing to notice and appreciate the original film. A good example for that can be found in Red Dragon, 2002 thriller directed by Brett Ratner, one of rare films which is remake and prequel at the same time.

Red Dragon is second film to be based on the eponymous 1981 novel by Thomas Harris, the first being Manhunter, 1986 fim directed by Michael Mann. Harris’ novel had its sequel in the form The Silence of the Lambs, which served as basis of celebrated Oscar-winning film starring Anthony Hopkins in the role of serial killer Hannibal Lecter, whose further exploits were in 2001 covered by Ridley Scott’s Hanibal. Plot of the next film begins in 1980, before the events shown in The Silence of the Lambs. FBI Special Agent Will Graham (played by Edward Norton) has specialised for catching violent criminals by trying to reconstruct their mindset. While investigating the series of brutal murders in Baltimore he visits renowned forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (played by Anthony Hopkins) in order to discuss the case. The encounter almost costs him his life when it turns out that Lecter is actually cannibalistic serial killer. Barely surviving the ordeal, Graham leaves FBI and retires with his family to Florida. Seven years later his former boss John Crawford (played by Harvey Keitel) asks him to help him catch incredibly vicious serial killer that massacres families in their homes. Graham very reluctantly agrees and even more reluctantly comes to seek advice from Lecter, who is now held in hospital for criminally insane. Lecter, however, has his own ideas how this colaboration should end and uses his ingenuity and intellect to make contact with the killer – eccentric loner Francis Dollarhyde (played by Ralph Fiennes). Graham, on the other hand, tries to manipulate the killer with the help of ruthless tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman). Both men’s plans will be jeopardised by Reba McLane (played by Emily Watson), attractive blind woman with whom Dollaryhde begins romantic relationship that would make him, at least temporarily, to stop with the killings.

Whether you would like Red Dragon or not will depend on whether you have seen Manhunter beforehand or not. There aren’t any surprises in the plot and the only reason why “deja vu” effect isn’t complete is Brett Ratner employing very different style from Michael Mann who had employed striking visuals and atmospheric musical score. Ratner takes more conventional approach and at times Red Dragon looks like it could pass as an average television film. Scriptwriter Ted Tally, on the other hand, was much more faithful to the Harris’ novel, which made this film much longer and, at times, more boring, than Mann’s.

High production values, on the other hand, reflect in solid cast. Emily Watson in the role of blind woman represent something of a revelation and she delivers really intriguing performance that plays a lot of naivety and vulnerability of her character. Other actors are good, but not as effective as those who played their roles in 1986 film. Anthony Hopkins, especially due to make-up that tries to turn his character two decades younger than in Hannibal, almost looks like a parody of his iconic role. Things are even worse because the script, trying to milk as much of his charisma as possible, puts much more emphasis on his character than in 1986 film and original novel. Hopkins fares much worse than Brian Cox who was much more menacing in much shorter appearance in Manhunter. While Norton, Keitel and Hoffman deliver solid performances, Ralph Fiennes will, at least to female audience, be better remembered for appearing nude in some scenes of the film. Red Dragon is nevertheless solid piece of cinema and the answer to question whether remake made sense or not of resounding “yes” at the box office. In 2007 another prequel, Hannibal Rising, was made with Gaspard Ulliel as Lector, followed by 2010 television series Hannibal starring Mads Mikkelsen.

RATING: 5/10 (++)