Scars have power over people, they remind us that the past is real.
The Red Dragon is a great backstory to the Silence of the Lambs. The film follows the life of Hannibal Lector before the events of Silence of the Lambs. Brett Ratner is the director of this film. Behind his shoulders are many good paintings, among which: Guys with guns, Survivor and Twenty-one. This film definitely holds the bar throughout the film is impossible to break away from the screen. The villain performed by Rafe Fiennes is simply magnificent. He can still play the villain. The film itself largely bribed the count of such a famous cast, they all coped perfectly with their role. I would also like to mention Anthony Hopkins. He's just beautiful in his role and without him, this franchise would be a blanket.
Now is the time to move on to the film. Will Graham is an FBI agent. On his last assignment, he suffers severe wounds and decides to retire for his family. A few years later, a serial killer appears, nicknamed the Tooth Fairy. Will initially abandons the case and does not want to return, but he is fond of investigating and still takes the case. For help in catching a serial maniac, he turns to another psychopath - Hannibal Lecter. Their chemistry is fascinating to watch and reinforced by incredibly fascinating dialogues.
As I said, there are a lot of famous actors in this film, and now I want to list those who I especially liked: 1. Anthony Hopkins played the role of Hannibal Lecter. Anthony is a legend not only of this franchise, but of the entire cinema. To this day, he continues to appear in films despite his age. I have great respect for him, and I hope I will see him in many more projects. Anthony made this franchise a cult franchise, and many associate him with the role of Hannibal. 2. Edward Norton played the role of Will Graham. Edward played the lead role. The characters of Will and Hannibal rarely interact. They meet each other a couple of times. But the film decided to fix it. Which definitely didn't happen. It's fascinating to watch Will try to find the main villain. 3. Rafe Fiennes played the role of Francis Dolarhyde (aka Tooth Fairy). Rafe is the main villain of this picture. He is famous for his role as Voldemort, as well as his role in Schindler’s List as for me, the best role of his career. Rafe won competition for the role in this film from Nicholas Cage and Sean Penn. I think it's for the best. I can’t imagine another actor in this role. Dolarchide is revealed in the course of the film from the other side, showing all that made him who he became. In the end, even the main character becomes sorry for Dolarchide, given the childhood he had to go through. The following actors also participated in this film: Ken Leung, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Harvey Keitel.
I'd like a parallel between Hannibal and the Tooth Fairy. The second is hot-tempered and very cruel. But Hannibal, in turn, is cold-blooded and calculating. He, as a grandmaster in chess, calculates many actions in advance. But in my opinion, the only difference the original makes is better than the prequel is that the villain wasn't revealed right away. In this film, we are shown the villain closer to the middle of the film, and the intrigue of the film drops slightly. But in the original there is a certain mystery throughout the film, which makes the film more exciting. The film, of course, has its flaws, but given the brilliant acting, you can close your eyes to this. I would also like to note the not-so-large timeline of the picture. The film is not long and looks in one breath.
The film grossed $93,149,898 in the United States. Worldwide fees were $116,046,400. Total fees reached $209,196,298. The cost of the film was 108 million. The film paid off, I think for that time they made a good box office. I recommend the movie. It's worth your time.
When in 1990, actor Antney Hopkins appeared on the screens as maniac Hannibal Lecter, he made a lasting impression on the public. His screen time was no more than 20 minutes for the entire time, and nevertheless this was enough for the Academy to award Hopkins an Oscar for Best Leading Role. Of course, everyone wanted Sir Anthony to reprise the role, and he did so twice more.
The first return of the great actor to the image of Lecter was the film Ridley Scott “Hannibal”. The plot romanticized the relationship of the maniac with agent Clarisse Starling, not everyone liked it, but the film was still interesting and collected good money at the box office. And then the prequel “Silence of the Lambs” was released, namely “Red Dragon”. And he was very good too.
The protagonist of this story is Detective Will Graham, who has long collaborated with MD Hannibal Lecter, and once realized that his comrade is a murderer. Of course, Lecter was caught and placed in a psychiatric clinic. But as we all know, his story is just beginning.
In America, there is a new serial killer called the Tooth Fairy. And Graham needs to catch him because no one else can. But the detective critically needs the advice of Dr. Lecter, and he happily takes up the work, providing the investigation with all possible brain help. Focusing on his own knowledge in the field of forensics and practical advice of a maniac in chains, Graham is gradually getting closer to understanding who this mysterious killer, nicknamed the Tooth Fairy, is. There's not much time to catch. Because the victim count is growing, so Graham will have to go beyond the box and show his talent.
This movie is really interesting to watch. Director Brett Ratner, who previously directed Rush Hour, played a delicate and very tense part for us. Maybe the level of intrigue "Red Dragon" is slightly inferior to "Silence of the Lambs", but definitely surpasses "Hannibal". It was interesting to follow how the hero of Edward Norton gradually unravels this unpredictable plot tangle and tries to understand who exactly he has to deal with, because the Tooth Fairy easily dissolves in the crowd and calculate it is difficult.
Anthony Hopkins is very good as a killer. And despite the fact that he plays a young version of his character in adulthood, while watching such trifles do not pay attention at all. The main thing here is that the actor is good, although he was not given much time on the screen again. There may be special revelations in the role of Lecter, he no longer shows, but draws the image at least in his high class.
He played the role of Detective Edward Norton. He is calm, weighed and at the same time acts swiftly and surely. Because he has someone to lose and someone to worry about. Finally, I also liked Rafe Fiennes as the Tooth Fairy. He had a very terrible killer, and nobody would want to be in the same room with him. Fiennes managed to make his villain tragic, he has his own special biography, justifying his actions. It is impossible to justify the crimes of the murderer, but it is certainly possible to partially understand his motives.
“Red Dragon” was a worthy part of the history of Hannibal Lecter and if you like this genre, then this movie you just have to watch. The film in many respects inherits “The Silence of the Lambs” and this cannot but please the audience, familiar with Dr. Lecter since the time of the film by Jonathan Demme.
9 out of 10
Usually sequels are worse than originals, and triquels are worse than sequels. But this is not so, here the triquel is exactly on par with the original even with a sagging sequel.
Normally, I don't believe star caste will save a movie. But ' Red Dragon' is the case when impeccable acting covers everything. Lecter again in the canonical image of a dangerous prisoner, he is again frightening and extremely charming, although not as perfect in this as in the first part. Will Graham is cunning, but he's sick of life. I really liked the fact that in comparison with the first part, Graham is not weak at all, like the girl-investigator from ' Silence of the Lambs' he is equal in strength to Hannibal, although he is afraid of him. He's not shy about teasing and teasing a formidable killer. I liked it very much, since the genius maniac was sometimes deservedly beaten in his games, to which he logically reacted. It is nice to see that he is not perfect, but knows how to lose to a strong opponent, although he does not like it very much.
The Tooth Fairy is beautiful, Fiennes played it marvelously thanks to his sinister charm. But most of all, I was unexpectedly pleased with Reb, played by Watson. I applauded her for playing. This is a very strong, vital, honest and worked-out character, bravo. Strong because in the moments when I expected clichéd tears, she just coped with the situation. Lifelike because she was very natural and very attractive as an ordinary woman with her own interests and desires. Honest because there was no kitsch, no pomp, no pathos, no despondency. It was designed because Watson played a blind woman flawlessly. When I saw her pouring coffee with her thumb in the mug, I was ecstatic, because this little detail is incredibly strong and I believe her like no one else.
The purest ten for the divine play of actors and almost that very soul of the first part.
10 out of 10
Good day, dear friends and visitors of the Kinopoisk website! I remembered that I did not write about another part about Hannibal Lector - 'Red Dragon'. All these three films ' Silence of the Lambs', 'Hannibal' and 'Red Dragon' combines the participation of the same epic character of the psychiatrist and maniac-eater Hannibal Lector in a stunning performance by Anthony Hopkins.
' Red Dragon' this is another worthy representative of a psychological thriller with a detective component. I am not a big fan of movies about maniacs with a lot of blood and meat, I am more for thinking, intellectual cinema, and ' Red Dragon' as well as ' Silence of the Lambs' indisputably can be attributed to such a movie. Directed by Brett Ratner. In order to better understand the story, I will walk through the main characters.
Hannibal Lecturer - Anthony Hopkins - he's still inimitable. Hopkins does not have much time in the frame, since his main task here is as willow ' Silence of the Lambs' was ' advising the FBI in catching another maniac. But Hopkins still knows how to take all the attention on himself, and from the first frames, I am interested, and the actor himself realizes that the role of a ruthless maniac-aesthetic, who loves ' very much; people has become one of the brightest in his filmography! In 'Red Dragon' The lecturer in tandem with Norton is more sarcastic, cruel than with Clarisse Starling. And on the other hand, it could not be because it was Norton’s hero who caught the legendary doctor and, of course, Lector had a special attitude towards him. This respect, hatred, sarcasm, all-consuming desire for revenge, to hurt - all this was reflected in the unperturbed eyes of Dr. Lector. With each new encounter with Will, the lecturer penetrates deeper into his subconscious, playing with his fear and hitting wounds that have not yet healed.
Francis Dolarchine ('The Tooth Fairy') – performed by Rafe Fiennes. I honestly admit that I didn’t know this actor before this movie, but I have to admit that he just amazingly manages negative roles, the actor has put a lot in his character, in his madness you begin to believe! A crazy maniac with a difficult childhood, who imagines himself a Red Dragon, who came to this world in order to perform a great mission only to him. I know that all our complexes and fears come from childhood and the monster of a normal boy did bullying and humiliation from his own grandmother. But you can throw stones at me, but I don’t think a difficult childhood is an excuse to become a criminal and kill whole innocent families and children who have done him nothing wrong. By the way, as a minus, I would like to note that the director failed to reveal the motivation of the maniac and what role this notorious Red Dragon played in his philosophy! The only spark of humanity appeared in Dolorhain only when he met a blind girl, the only one who managed to awaken a person in him, at least for a short time. The only thing that personally caused dissonance in my performance of Fiennes is that we are repeatedly mentioned that the criminal is very complex because of his appearance and is afraid, which can cause disgust, but Fiennes is a handsome man and cannot complex because of his appearance. The only thing that I personally noticed on his face was the traces of plastic surgery to correct the cleft lip, but this birth defect has long been no longer a problem for doctors and is corrected without a trace. A very good script move: a criminal who is ashamed of his imaginary external ugliness and a blind girl who can not see this ugliness, so she is not dangerous for him.
Will Graham (Edward Norton) - perhaps his character is a little lost against the background of the two main villains, but his task to play an intelligent and astute FBI agent, though very tired and tortured with a lot of scars not only on the body but also in the soul, he succeeded! You can see that he is tired of chasing maniacs and just wants to live a normal life, and certainly he is not eager to meet the man who once almost killed him, but the debt for Graham above all else! And at the same time, Will Graham is a man with a non-standard thinking, who must in his intellectual-psychological duel outplay the lecturer himself, who just loves such charades, and at the same time reveal the essence of the actions and motives of a new criminal who kills whole families!
To summarize: I can safely say that ' Red Dragon' turned out to be an atmospheric, tense thriller that does not allow viewers to take their eyes off the screen for a single second. Maybe in some ways this film and loses ' Silence of the Lambs' but it is definitely worth watching at least for the inimitable Anthony Hopkins!
Thank you for listening to my review!
The rare case where the third part surpassed the sequel.
The film takes place before the Silence of the Lambs, before the intellectual duel Starling-Lecter.
Genius psychologist-cannibal and felt all the “charms” of his work FBI agent.
The opening scene between the Doctor and Will predetermines the relationship between the characters. Graham is afraid of Lecter. The look from which goosebumps run, from which it is impossible to break away, the calm voice of the Doctor inspires confidence and at the same time alarms. That's where the real suspense is!
After the experience, Will returns to work, takes on a new business. The maniac kills his victims with incredible cruelty, sparing no one. He was given the nickname "The Tooth Fairy." To get on his trail is almost impossible, he thinks through every little thing, every step. Maybe Will can catch him. The agent turns to his old friend Hannibal Lecter for help. Genius dialogues, riddles, hints, lines that can be quoted begin.
Francis Dolorheid.
He seems cruel, mad, and there is nothing human left in him, but he loves Her, he feels, there is something bright in her, there is something in her blue eyes that warms his frozen soul. We forget who he is and what terrible crimes he commits.
The acting jobs are amazing! Genius Anthony Hopkins, absolute master of his craft Edward Norton, insanely charismatic Rafe Fiennes. Emily Watson’s absolutely impeccable work deserves special praise. Such a cast will definitely not let you come off the screen.
The soul of man is not iron and scars will not go anywhere. They will be a man before death, if not on the body, then in the soul.
Despite the fact that this is the fourth film about the Lecturer, Red Dragon struck me to the core. Brett Ratner showed us that it doesn’t matter what order you take pictures. If it's taken from the heart, it's good.
At the beginning of the film, we are shown two colleagues and friends who by chance have become enemies. Dr. Hannibal Lecter and FBI agent William Graham, whose mental abilities and insight are in many ways not inferior to Lecturer. After Will discovers that his friend and colleague is a "Chopik Ripper" in Baltimore. The lives of both of them change dramatically: Dr. Lecter gets into a mental hospital in Baltimore, and Will decides to retire from cases related to maniacs and serial killers. It would seem that now he can work as an ordinary engineer and repair boats. With a salary, a beautiful wife and son. But nothing is new under the moon. A few years later, Will returns to the FBI as a consultant, then takes the reins of the investigation into his own hands. He is forced to return, as he must stop a dangerous killer who calls himself the Red Dragon. Will realizes he's probably the only one who can stop the new monster. That is why he goes to the lecturer, who at one time helped him identify other maniacs.
The work keeps pace with Thomas Harris' bestseller. The difference is that it's getting scarier than the movie. The dialogue is well written and you feel that two talented and gifted people complement each other. Will is afraid and panics in front of the monster.
A huge advantage of this film is that most of the characters in this film are shown alive and are not template. Each of them is individual and intelligent. As in the silence of the lambs, the Lecturer shows us that if a person wants to, he will achieve everything, no matter what he fears outwardly. The inner peace is stronger.
That is the power of William Graham. He understands that he is afraid but is ready to act until the end. Understanding what leads to ignoring the situation.
Now the main villain of the movie. Francis Dolarchide is a lot like Jame Gum. He, like him, did not know good treatment from childhood and became a maniac killer as a result. Throughout the film, the idea of the fix (I am God or the Devil) and the person who is Dolarhyde fight. Despite the love of Reeve McLaine, a blind girl. Dolarhyde can do nothing with his already conquered soul. He is ready to continue killing, saturating the demon within himself. The dragon takes over. I was naturally sympathetic to Dolarhyde, but the crimes he committed make it clear that if he is not stopped, he will continue. I loved the scene where he was killed in the end. He withstood so many bullets that he unwittingly began to consider him a Terminator or a dragon. In short, I believe that such an actor can play a hired killer without difficulty.
The movie is really good. I especially liked the angles that were filmed in restaurants, theaters and homes. The morale of the film does not leave indifferent either. Remember that we are responsible for those we have tamed and educated. If we think a man is a monster. He'll be a terrible beast. What’s more, Graham wasn’t the first or last person to dream of someone he killed and caught. The soul is not iron and the scars will not go away. They will be with a person to death, if not on the body, then in the soul.
Too-too-too-too-too-too, ta-ta-too. A dark narrative begins with unpretentious music. The music that makes those familiar with the Hannibal Lecter stories get goosebumps.
UNIVERSAL PICTURES and DINO DE LAURENTIS PRESENTS, Brett Ratner's narrative continues. Abruptly, the frame is cut off and a stunning opera is opened to the viewer’s eye and the melodies of the symphony orchestra are heard. We listen, we enjoy the melody, our heart begins to beat faster, as in the hall sits a cold-blooded and bloodthirsty murderer, a murderer who came down from the pages of books, an intellectual murderer, a cannibal killer.
Brett Ratner, the fairground beckoned us to look further. We who have seen The Silence of the Lambs hope for a worthy story, and what happened before Hannibal was in his four walls. People unfamiliar with the book may think: “Who else will be in this gloomy game – a jester, a king, or a dragon?”
The director lets us enjoy the music further, until the flutist starts to fake, and we resent how you can spoil the amazing music with your fake melodies. Not particularly pleased with Hannibal, sly wink flutist. We are already interested, and we are not going to watch anything else, we are interested in everything related to Hannibal, we know this man, as much as the film Silence of the Lambs allowed. We watch and enjoy the movie, drink wine and eat pate.
The music is beautiful, continues, and the fake melodies are barely audible. The concert is over, and the flutist shyly lowers his eyes.
How does the film shock us next? The very capture of Hannibal Lecter, the fact that he could have been caught at all, but how he ended up behind bars, namely the effort and scarring of Will Graham. The painting by Brett Ratner opens the curtain of the story where Hannibal was caught, does it as in the novel of the same name, without destroying the canon to smithereens, except that it adorns it with something of its own.
By the way, what is your wonderful pate made of, that you drink wine, are you in doubt?
The cannibal criminal is caught and the credits go on abruptly. We hear the names of the filmmakers, and the video along with the shooting ranges, allows you to penetrate the sinister consciousness of the terrifying Dragon, the Red Dragon. The dragon that slaughters entire families at night, a monster that will not stop and later the picture, pulling us out of the consciousness of the killer, plunges into the consciousness of the investigator. It’s as if with Will we’re at the crime scene, we feel the atmosphere of these bloody rooms, we hear rustles, and the film, visually showing everything, only sharpens our perception.
Immediately in these scenes you can see the mistakes of the creators that the blood over the past week, can not be so scarlet, but perhaps this is in order to once again just make us shudder. In this way, we can feel the same thing as Will, thereby becoming a participant in what is happening.
And we would not be so curious if the characters were not embodied by very talented actors. Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton and Rafe Fiennes. The trio that played their roles on the "Bloodyboard" and played magnificently, leaving no shadow of doubt about their skill.
All this representation would not be so believable if it were not for the credible music of Danny Elfman, penetrating the soul more than a knife into butter.
For a cold and gloomy thriller, the events taking place are very dynamic, because, as Will noted, “the idea of being God cannot be abandoned” and the new killer, who calls himself the Dragon, already within himself rejects his human nature, believing that he leads the human race to an unimaginable and beautiful rebirth. This fact should certainly hasten the characters, they must be smarter than the criminal, however terrible it may be, sometimes even think like him, which sometimes does Will, skillfully using the clues that Dr. Lecter so carefully gives.
Will Graham, as if tired of work, the work that brings him pain and suffering, sometimes falls into apathy and considers the killer completely “Faceless”, but subconsciously he wants to catch the “Beast”, he is involved in this hunt. Hunting where you do not know who is watching you and when.
Will is easy to understand, it is difficult to heal the wounds of the soul, putting the cannibal-Lecter behind bars, very difficult.
There is nothing superfluous in the 124-minute timeline of the film, compared to the book, there may be some omissions and the entire past of the Red Dragon is not shown, but in 124 minutes nothing superfluous is shown. Some events are shortened from the book, but without unnecessary ideas. It is likely that Thomas Harris gave good advice to Brat Ratner.
Some of the story of the Dragon is still shown, but you do not understand its nature and sad past as much as in the book.
Omissions, all these are small omissions, and if for someone large, he will not make of the creators of pate?
Review of "Briefly on the Main"
8 out of 10
P.S. review is devoted to Jess fly, noticing her ratings I remembered this film.
The story of the arrest of the Lector and the man who arrested him, in the best traditions of the thriller.
Surprisingly, the film is in no way inferior to the Silence of the Lambs. Yes, the first film was more mysterious, darker, creepier, whereas Red Dragon seemed to me cold and calculating, detective, despite the fact that there are more sentimentality. Great story, great plot construction, great shooting and just crazy acting. That rare occasion when all the actors were on top. Not a film, but one continuous aesthetic pleasure (in terms of performance, in the history of pleasant, of course, not enough).
Edward Norton, as usual, is amazing and versatile. Anthony Hopkins played the same thing he did 26 years ago. Rafe Fiennes turned out to be a very creepy maniac with a heavy look and heart, striving for tenderness and warmth, and the sighted eyes of Emily Watson, who played a blind girl, fascinated and frightened.
In general, an excellent thriller by all canons with a wonderful composition and an exciting plot.
9 out of 10
The prequel to the famous film “Silence of the Lambs” turned out to be solid and impressive. But the main reason for the success of Red Dragon, in my opinion, is mostly the merit of the actors, rather than the impressive plot. This thriller certainly keeps in suspense and some plot twists are unexpected, but, in general, with a different cast, the film would not be so watchable.
The plot tells us how the well-known cannibal Dr. Lecter was imprisoned and with frightening patience waited for the moment to break free. There is also another follower who calls himself the Red Dragon. He admires the "creative" biography of the Doctor and tries not only to imitate him, but also to get advice on how to best turn his sick fantasies into reality. In general, the atmosphere in the film is tense and absorbs completely, it is impossible to break away from what is happening on the screen, only occasionally I want to put the film on pause in order to get rid of the oppressive feeling and tension that haunts the whole film. But, again, in many ways, such feelings arise due to the play of the main characters.
Edward Norton, in the role of Will, turned out to be what a tired detective who was one step away from death and decided to quit his turbulent career should be. Norton has a special charm. Personally, I prefer to contemplate the images of villains embodied in the movie, but the calm and reasonable detective was also very pleasant to watch. Edward is one of the most brilliant actors of his generation, who became famous and respected almost at his first appearance on the screen, where he demonstrated aerobatics acting. Here, he embodies the image of a man who seems to want to end his past life, but at the same time can not break away from the constant sense of danger inherent in his profession. He greedily looks through physical evidence and tries to penetrate the maniac’s thinking. Edward is one of those actors who does not need to use various facial muscles to demonstrate his current state. Everything he feels and experiences can be easily read in his eyes. The most impressive and memorable moment is in the gym, when Leicester approaches him and Will stands still, without his eyes hatched with fear, but the horror enveloping him is clearly visible, despite the fact that he tries to hide him with all his might - just bravo North, it was played genius. Although I doubt he played, he really felt it. But, against the background of such strong characters as Lester and Dolarchide, in this film he was a little lost, I want to emphasize that his character remained in the shadows, not Norton as an actor.
Anthony Hopkins and Rafe Fiennes are both graduates of one of the best acting schools in the world, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. I do not know by what technique they are taught at the Academy, but geniuses and film legends come out of it. The characters of Hopkins and Fiennes attract all eyes. During their appearance in the frame, everything else ceases to exist, you can not break away from their mesmerizing, but at the same time terrifying eyes. While Hopkins’ hero, Leicester, is a cold-blooded, thought-out cannibal, a true intellectual, and an aesthete who evokes no ounce of pity, Fiennes’ character, a complex, wounded child morally disfigured by his grandmother at a young age, evokes sympathy.
Rafe, of course, a rare handsome and incredibly diverse actor. He can play anyone convincingly. I've seen a lot of movies with him and in all of them, he's completely different. Fiennes reincarnates into his character so much that even the expression of the same emotions in his diverse characters completely changes. In "Red Dragon" he filigreely demonstrated the image of a complexed schizophrenic maniac, with a piece of the human soul. Like the monster Frankenstein, he is the product of human violence, which was not a monster in the beginning, but was transformed into one by the society around him. But, with one difference, Frankenstein was rejected by the people, unlike Dolerheid, whose alienation of people existed only in his head. Thanks to the bullying of his unwise grandmother, he believed in his fictional ugliness, and the scene in which he asked Reby how he was perceived by women, or in a museum in which he persistently asked the employee - who stressed that she imagined him as a completely different person - what he seemed to her, once again showed that inside this psychopath, lives a small offended child who would most likely be completely different if he were born in better conditions. There are people who do evil for no reason, i.e., moral freaks from birth, and there are those who have been turned into such through society - the second, as Fiennes very clearly embodied. Rafe portrayed his hero’s anguish and doubts so magnificently that I believed him, I believed he was in unbearable pain and struggling with himself. And of course, I can not once again note how charming and handsome Fiennes man, even in this image he breathed a piece of soul. From his bottomless mesmerizing eyes it is impossible to take your eyes off, even though it is in this film that they inspire horror. And the directors apparently do not miss the opportunity to show off his elegant hands. Even in those moments where Rafe’s faces are not shown and it is not yet known who will appear on the screen, when graceful fingers appear, I automatically realize that Fiennes is present in the frame. The only thing I regretted, I remember when I first watched about 10 years ago, is the lack of time given to Fiennes’ character, I would like him to appear more often in the film.
Summing up, I would like to once again note how the behavior of parents can affect the subsequent life of children. This film, despite the fact that it is just a thriller, carries a semantic load and is useful for every parent to watch.
By the eleventh minute of watching the film, by the end of the opening credits, I had already been impressed several times. I stopped, I thought, and I realized, He's very good.
Beautiful hints of Hannibal’s “hobby,” a fight scene that breaks the storyline for “The Silence of the Lambs.” She, it would seem, has no place in history - show the names of actors: Anthony Hopkins and Edward Norton. And they're both dying in the first scene.
Then the headlines of the tabloids, briefly and aptly describing the outcome of this very intriguing situation. A beautiful way out.
The whole film was permeated with eerie inserts of Francis Dolarhyde's communication with his mistress. Extremely impressed by the detachment and alienation of these scenes, the empty look of the blind and defenseless Reba, the unusual and frightening voice of Mr. Dee. Great respect for the Russian team! Incredibly cool.
In the film, there are several successful moments - screeners. Unaccustomed to very frightening, makes you feel the fear of the character. The musical accompaniment greatly enhances the effect, emphasizing the horrors on the screen.
An interesting move with the personal vulnerability of the agent to the killer, pyromania, fighting the Dragon, jealousy and sincere tears.
I'm more than impressed. This is the best thriller and a very good detective.
10 out of 10
The sensational thriller "Silence of the Lambs" did not give the filmmakers peace, and 10 years later a sequel from the famous director Ridley Scott was released on the screens, the name of which consisted of the name of the main character of this story, who became one of the favorite movie villains among fans of thrillers. It was only a year after the release of the successful sequel, which, although inferior to the Silence of the Lambs in terms of accessibility to the perception of the storyline, but in itself was a very solid film that shocked the cruel and creepy ending. What would you think? The story seemed to end on a heavy note, but it became clear that you can think of what Hannibal Lecter did before he met Clarissa Starling in prison, and who were his victims, whom he feasted on, for which he received the nickname “Hannibal Cannibal”. It is clear that to be a prequel to the famous story, and the prequel will not be an independent film, but an adaptation of the novel, which also tells about Lecter.
The little-known director who shot the backstory to “The Silence of the Lambs” clearly followed in the footsteps of Ridley Scott, imitating his sequel to the first film about Lecter, that is, he shot a high-intellectual thriller , accessible to the perception of not every viewer. In this regard, “Silence of the Lambs” wins, not for nothing it received many awards, as a perfect thriller and just a movie. “Hannibal” and “Red Dragon” are equally smart movies, not everyone will understand them. However, everyone admits that both films are very solid and serious, and there is nothing bad to say about them. And, if in “Hannibal” I personally remember the story of a man who was disfigured by Lecter and wants to kill him cruelly, then here I remember first of all the plot in which Lecter goes to prison red-handed, almost killing and not eating another person; and the story of a maniac who had a difficult childhood , who was humiliated by his grandmother, and now he is nicknamed “The Tooth Fairy” and ... but his actions are confused so that it is impossible to remember what he did, only the final episodes were remembered. In general, the film only partially got to my brain, and I can only recommend this movie to a highly educated audience. I liked much more another backstory, which describes the youth of Hannibal, which shows how he embarked on this path. Movie "Hannibal". Ascension" received mixed reviews, and it is a pity - such a prequel is almost not inferior to the very first part, which became Legend. I have only a neutral impression of Red Dragon.
I decided to start writing a review about one of my favorite movie characters. But I decided to start with the last part at the moment (Hannibal: The Rise and the series with Mad Mikkelson, to be honest, do not reach the original trilogy, but this is my opinion). So the plot begins 10 years before "The Silence of the Lambs" and it would seem that there is something remarkable here?
And that is where the story of the most brutal movie maniac begins. Clarissa Starling is still a schoolgirl, and the doctor enjoys life... and death.
Let’s start with the main actors.
Anthony Hopkins – I think the comments are superfluous. This isn't Dr. Lector's first appearance on screen, but his screen time is limited here. I would say extremely limited. About 30 minutes in 119 minutes of screen time. But it is worth noting that his insidious role, he still played in this story.
Let us pass on to William Gramm, the chief adversary (is he an adversary?) and a friend of Dr. Lecter's involuntary. Edward Norton played a courageous man (I know firsthand what abdominal operations are), an intelligent detective and a family man who sacrificed much for the sake of his family. Norton is not lost against the background of the more experienced Hopkins and clearly does not scold Clarissa Starling.
And who I would like to focus on is the tooth fairy maniac Frances Dollarchide, the hero of Ralph Fiennes. He is shown here as a man and as a monster, which in turn is associated with children's complexes. But I'm not going to talk about Freud and Jung, it will be a separate conversation. But Dollarhide is even more dangerous than Buffalo Bill. He is in love with a blind girl and helps her, although he will show his essence later.
Of the other characters, I single out the characters of Silence; Harvey Keitel played Jack Crawford and Anthony Hield played Dr. Shilton. In my opinion, Keitel is no worse than Scott Glen, and in some places even better.
Now let's talk about director Brett Ratner. He is known as a comediographer (the rush hour trilogy on his conscience), but with this tape he proved himself a good master of the thriller. As for the story, the end of it... I will say that even the master Ridley Scott in “Hannibal” ruined her.
10 out of 10
Common sense sometimes prevails over a man who ceases to trust his instincts. By this mistake, FBI agent Will Graham nearly missed the killer psychologist Hannibal Lecter. Sometimes you spend so much time with a person that you do not notice the danger in his eyes, his madness. His lies, supposedly disinterested assistance in crimes, turned his head, and the instincts of self-preservation are so deeply embedded inside, as if glued and randomly mined.
The film begins with the scene of the struggle of two madnesses, in something similar, but located on opposite sides of the grid. If we take history, then why the mad maniac-killer is clear without words, then the hero of Will Graham was not particularly taken into circulation, although his specific abilities can somehow affect the mind. In any case, Will showed how he differed from Hannibal, and that he was wrong about him.
The story is transformed at the moment when the threat appears almost the same force as the cannibal. His name is "Red Dragon." A man possessed by a creature. If he was obsessed with a giraffe, I don't think he'd be such a bore. In any case, the enemy is serious, albeit initially inexperienced, leaving traces. Strangely, for Will, a seasoned maniac hunter, fear is gripping, he again has to search for a catch along with a specific longtime friend - Hannibal. Where will this collaboration lead? Please watch. The film does not cause fear or much anxiety, in some places it can be unpleasant. It boasts competent work of the cast and even a couple of epic scenes. My favorite is this scene with a sick animal whose heartbeat I can still hear.
The message of the struggle between man and creature is conveyed in the film quite vividly, but does not blind. A constant sense of catch does not leave almost until the final credits. The fact that danger comes when it is not expected, the writers have not forgotten and quite competently covered it. This is more interesting for the viewer and for the hero himself. The same person can be crazy and trust instincts, whether it's Hannibal or Will, they knew it perfectly well. Except that Graham did it later. The desire for life takes over, even if initially common sense and the commandment “thou shalt not kill” led with a big handicap. Whether you're an FBI agent or an ogre, the urge to live always has a tail.
“If I tell you what it’s made of, you won’t eat it.”
The third film in the Hannibal Lecter series tells the backstory of The Silence of the Lambs, and no less interesting and fascinating backstory. I am sure that if the films were released in chronological order, as well as the books, then it would be “Red Dragon” that would become a cult, would collect a couple of Oscars and be imprinted in the memory of viewers and critics as the best film about an outstanding doctor. But, alas, among the movie monster there is a certain bias towards sequels, prequels, spin-offs and so on. After all, if you analyze the film by the bones, the plot is no less sophisticated and exciting, Anthony Hopkins plays still magnificently, Edward Norton in the quality of the actor's reincarnation is not inferior to Jodie Foster, the villain - Rafe Fiennes - is also very impressive. In addition, there is an excellent secondary character in a very high-quality performance by Emily Watson. But, alas, only “Silence” got the laurels, frankly, events in cinema, and no less worthy film is content with the love of the mass audience, but not the recognition of the masters of the fate of works of cinema.
The concept of the tape is definitely exciting. A slight departure from the literary source in the beginning, which benefited the picture and determined the whole mood, then the harmonious parallel development of the line of investigation and the line of the villain, as well as, unlike the first film, the line of Lecter himself. He is somewhat more abstract from the main events, however, has a strong influence on their course. "Red Dragon" in addition to the opportunity to enjoy the observation of an interesting story provides an opportunity to appreciate the structure of the book series - in "Red Dragon" Hannibal was first presented to the public in all his insanity and exceptional danger, even in the conclusion, "In the Silence of the Lambs, the author released the cannibal to freedom, and already in Hannibal he gave the opportunity to turn around with all his might." And if the films were also released in chronology, then the whipping up of an atmosphere of horror and even some hopelessness would be equivalent. But something sparked the studio at one time to start with the film adaptation of “Silence of the Lambs”. It seems a pity that this happened, but on the other hand, in the early 90s, Edward Norton was too young, and to imagine someone else as Will Graham is quite difficult.
Actors are impeccable. This is a rare case where everything is really in its place. Moderately emotional, moderately cold-blooded agent performed by Norton - one of the most talented actors of modern Hollywood. Cruel, but not devoid of positive human qualities villain – Rafe Fiennes. Naive but astute Riba in the flawless incarnation of Emily Watson. And the naturally majestic Hannibal Lecter is the brilliant Anthony Hopkins in his crown role. They believe that everyone plays in such a way that there is not the slightest doubt - they lived their characters on the screen.
The director made the film, skillfully using the best traditions of “Silence”, ignoring the significant stylistic and other artistic innovations of Ridley Scott in the second film and bringing a number of new successful elements, such as the independent disclosure of the villain (in “Silence of the Lambs” the antagonist revealed mainly the investigation, here the almost complete presentation of the villain is the work of the villain himself, and it is very reasonable, because in the game Rafe Fiennes, and watching him on the screen is one pleasure), a slight deviation from the book original (the altered scenes looked much more impressive and emotionally added to the episode, if the audience is accurately written).
The film in my head is very well associated with “Silence of the Lambs”, and this in this case is very important.
Much better than "Hannibal" and about the level with "Silence", and this is
A rather interesting film about the interesting collaboration of two assassins, Hannibal and the Tooth Fairy. And about the next game of Hannibal and Will Graham, a psychologist from the FBI who was able to catch Lector. In this film, I like the fact that director Brett Ratner is back on track as a psychological thriller with a gradual disclosure of the characters, their characters and behavior.
Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecturer, perfect! he's just a delight, smart, insightful, charismatic and so bright that he eclipsed the rest. He's a more holistic and violent character than the second film. Here he is going through a difficult period, he was wounded and caught, which can be worse for a brilliant scientist and psychologist. But even in prison he is not alone, he has an admirer who sincerely sympathizes with him and who wants to help him, and he will take full advantage of this.
Edward Norton-Will Graham, a cute character, smart, grasping everything on the fly, he is not a lone fighter like Starling, but quite a happy family man who is constantly at work, putting his life and the lives of his relatives in danger. But his sense of duty to save innocent people pushes him into dangerous new conversations with the one he has wounded and caught. As a result, an example is an ideal example of a family man and a servant of the law.
Rafe Fiennes as Francis Dollarchide / Tooth Fairy, perfectly coped with his role, he is not just a terrible maniac, but a person with a broken fate, he is pathetic and at the same time he scares with his abnormal look and way of thinking. For a while he changes and believes in humanity and the power of love, but all in vain.
The film may not reach the first film in terms of suspense and tension, anxiety and fear, but it is better than the second in terms of plot and acting, the more I repeat in the film the emphasis is more on the disclosure of characters and psychology, I liked.
The film is very beautiful from the aesthetic side, interesting as a detective and thriller, it is harmoniously combined with drama and obsession, it is one of the best thrillers that is definitely worth watching.
9 out of 10
I’m not going to make the mistake of looking at this movie through the lens of a series that I love incredibly, except for a couple of comparisons.
The only drawback that is unlikely to seem to many something out of the ordinary is the culinary masterpieces of Hannibal Lecter. More specifically, their absence. I expected that the process of cutting that musician would be shown to us at least in general terms. And so it turned out in words, which is aesthetically more correct, of course.
I can’t say anything bad about everything else, I’ll have to be a little boring, but about that later. The plot is very clearly built, you do not have to be bored, something happens all the time. Still, with a construction similar to the Lambs, a certain difference is felt, even tension responds differently. The atmosphere is not as gloomy as, for example, in the series, where the emphasis is on the direction of psychological games in images and likenesses; here everything is more material, without fiction and simpler, but in no case worse.
As for Graham, it won't be enough. I'm used to Will Graham being a lot, that he's almost everywhere. Just unusual a little, and Will Norton has almost nothing to do with Will Dancy is two different people (with one problem: Lecter in the head), and both I like, although Will with a strong empathic gift and mental problems – even more (why would that?). One can complain that there is an emptiness between him and the Lecter, an extremely weak relationship, and they seem to be if not close friends, then at least comrades. Writers, I'm just tired of getting upset about the characters. And this is with quality work with the plot of the novel as a whole.
Dr. Lecter from Anthony Hopkins is always brutally amazing, there is nothing to say. He's monstrous and all the more terrifying when you know he's not crazy. He is the most incomprehensible, sinister and inimitable maniac in the history of world literature. Was, is and will be. There will be many more screenings and incarnations, but we will never see it like this again.
And Ralph Fiennes, who was also good, pulled everything the script allowed from Dolarchide-The Tooth Fairy; we learned little about his inner world, Fairy. It’s hard to understand someone if you don’t know anything other than the presence of an evil little girl in the past. Why such a nickname, why William Blake, why manifestations of the Great Red Dragon in Dolarhyde almost never come to light. He's tormented by voices in his head, but that's how it happens? In general, Fiennes is good, would give more time.
It turned out bloodless, interesting, tense and quite dynamic. With some shortcomings, which I will still forgive out of the kindness of my heart, the film is very good.
I’ve seen all the movies in the series before, and my hands have reached Red Dragon. Once in the 8th grade of my schooling, a kind librarian advised me to read this novel by Thomas Harris. Thank you so much for that? The novel is stunning, fascinating and chilling with its dark maroon magic. The film is clearly not up to date.
Intelligent Norton is very suited to this role, he is again somewhere on the edge (I write, remembering Fight Club). The idea that you have to be almost a maniac to catch a representative of this ignoble profession, conveyed, but somehow clumsy. The hero seems to be afraid to wet his shoes, trying to touch the sea of madness, in which the Lecturer and the Tooth Fairy are already splashing. Something was missing.
Lecturer and Africa Lecturer. His figure is no longer as interesting because his steps are predictable in his madness and culinary preferences.
Tooth Fairy. There's a lot more narrative in the novel on behalf of that person. And there it was. The story of a child who was crippled by childhood, who found his refuge in the poems of William Blake (not in vain are taken as the basis of the poems of this author, the mention of his other mystical creation - Tigre you will find in the Last Watch S. Lukyanenko), whose psyche found its meaning in them and almost died under this sense-fantasy. He waited for rebirth, and sacrificed for himself the Future.
In general, it turned out that the denouement of the story could have happened after the death of several more families, or it could not have happened (as, for example, in Fincher’s Zodiac), if not for Her Majesty Love. She entered the frame with the insecure steps of a blind woman who gave this terrible wounded animal a drop of love, revealed to him the secret that you can be different from everyone else, and at the same time be loved. To be loved and to remain human. So he decides to fight...
Nevertheless, the choice of R. Fiennes well, this role does not seem to me successful (well, why is he so fond of dressing up as freaks?). He embodied more that side of the Dragon, which suffered but did not rage, did not enjoy its power and madness. And Ralph's eyes are too kind for this role.
Somehow, friends.
“You stink of fear even though you are not a coward. You are afraid of me, but you have come.
After watching and enjoying The Silence of the Lambs and the subsequent disappointment with Hannibal, I didn’t expect to see anything new and exciting in Red Dragon. But I was wrong.
The film begins, and on the screen almost immediately appears not just anyone, but Hannibal himself. Anthony Hopkins surprisingly conveys the image of a dangerous, unpredictable, immoral, but intelligent and so sophisticated criminal. This is the moment when you're confused, not knowing how to treat Lecter. He's a genius, he's a murderer.
But he doesn’t have to use his unique psychological abilities very often. Which, of course, is a pity.
The beginning is not surprising. Lecter gives advice now to Graham, but at one point opens up and, being neutralized, gets into the camera.
Edward Norton plays Detective Graham well. It looks much nicer than other cops and agents in films of similar genres. His character wants to go about his business, but the understanding that without him in any way, forces him to take on a difficult job.
And again, to turn to Lecter...
Here I expected a confrontation and an internal struggle between Graham and Hannibal. But, unfortunately, the writers’ attention to dialogue and relationships began to lose. There is no such vivid perception of each meeting as it was (and given that this is a prequel, it will be) with Agent Starling and Lecter.
It never got boring while watching. Tension and reflection are enough. The atmosphere of the film is as strong as alcohol. Slightly surprised how suddenly and early appears before us the face of a maniac, which Graham will calculate the whole film.
And the maniac, Rafe Fiennes, is worthy of attention. He doesn't make a chuckle like Bill did in Silence. Quite the opposite. Here I want to understand him, to penetrate into his essence.
And the final picture will not disappoint.
Result: Take a look for yourself and you will not regret it. Two interesting hours are guaranteed!
The film can be compared to the Silence of the Lambs. A good picture that completes the whole story and at the same time begins it.
8 out of 10
There were several prequels and sequels parasitizing on the loud name of the “that” of the first film. As a rule, few people know about them, because they are filmed by beginners or poorly started directors. Starship Trooper 2, American Psychopath 2, etc.
But here is another case: the main antagonist of The Silence of the Lambs is invited, and he is accompanied by very good actors such as Edward Norton, Rafe Fiennes, Harvey Keitel and others. The budget is solid.
The film is about another maniac with sophisticated ways of committing murders. Once again, the FBI cannot do without the help of the brilliant Dr. Lecter. But now it is not the trainee Clarisse Starling who visits him for advice, but the experienced agent Graham, who caught him. Not “again” and “now,” but “already then.” Because this movie takes place before the Buffalo Bill story. But you always forget about it, because you can clearly see that all the actors are noticeably old. If desired and good makeup, you can easily make 35-year-old 50-year-old. But if the task is the opposite, then it is a hundred times more difficult. And the filmmakers in this regard could not make forget about the reverse chronology. Hopkins has noticeably aged, but the blessing of the magnificent game distracts from deepened wrinkles and a slightly dimmed look. Dr. Chilton and the security officer also look far from “almost forty”, but their roles are small and there is nothing to cover.
The film lacks a bit of authenticity. To portray the first half of the 80s simply by transplanting all the characters on cars of those years and wearing jackets of the old style is clearly not enough. It was possible to work better with interiors, hairstyles, etc. But, of course, that's not all that matters. Yes, even if the filmmakers showed at the beginning of the film a slide with the inscription “The events in the film take place before the events described in the film “Silence of the Lambs”. But the actors are noticeably older and the picture is a little more fresh for the 80s than it should be. If you'll excuse us, we just want to tell a creepy and eerily interesting story about another insane killer and how Dr. Lecter helps catch him. Even then, I would just say, “OK, start now!”
So, the plot pattern is exactly the same as in "The Silence of the Lambs." An FBI agent goes for advice on how to catch a murderer who has already been caught by Lecter. He speaks in allegories and riddles, but if you solve them, you get very valuable advice. But for Hannibal, this is not just a game of reason or an attempt to dilute the routine of his imprisonment. Even being in the basement of a special regime mental hospital does not mean humility and helplessness for him.
His fellow maniac was frighteningly well played by Rafe Fiennes. He's a victim of childhood trauma, a werewolf and a lover of body manipulation and symbolism, he's really inspiring fear. Appearing only in the second half of the film, it captures our attention and makes us look at ourselves with surprise and horror. A man without family, social contacts, downtrodden and insecure, but almost perfect in his crimes. “These murders make him a god,” Graham says.
The nameless maniac almost compared to the genius Lecter. But Agent Graham didn't get as close to Agent Starling. There are no complaints about Edward Norton, only about the writers. His hero turned out to be a psychic, on whom illuminations condescend in some improbable way. All the Fbrov's men revolve around him with their mouths open and waiting for a miracle. Imaginary psychological problems, a lost verbal duel with Hannibal and an impersonal wife and child are all he really has.
Despite everything, it turned out to be a film worthy of the previous part. The excesses of the script were smoothed out by the excellent performance of the actors, the unexpected turns really surprised. Hopkins brilliantly transferred the magnificent Lecter from the Silence of the Lambs, Norton still did not allow the writers to completely ruin his role, and Fiennes is a beast. Now you're worried that the quiet neighbor is actually a Red Dragon.
There is probably no person who has never heard of such high-profile films as “Silence of the Lambs” and “Hannibal”. Hits that brought the creators not only huge box office and respect critics with the audience, but also turned Hannibal Lecter into perhaps one of the most charismatic and impressive villains in cinema. Of course, the creators did not want to lose such fame and this turned the once begun picture by Jonathan Demme into a real franchise. That’s only if this concept is usually classified with disposable popcorn projects, then it is extremely difficult to say this about the films about the Lector.
After all, that the film Demme, that Scott's film in fact are samples of real works of art, which now can be attributed to the work of director Bret Ratner. To be honest, the appointment to the post of director Ratner, who gained fame purely as a director of comedy action films and not the most pleasant person caused great surprise and distrust. But to my surprise, the film turned out really very strong and allowed a different look at the availability and quality of talent from director Bret Ratner.
This film can be safely called a worthy follower of the Silence of the Lambs and a gift for all those who did not like the experiments committed by Ridley Scott in Hannibal. Since before us is not another aesthetically sustained drama about the life of Hannibal Lecter, but another dark, heavy, overly cruel, psychologically acute and insanely intriguing detective thriller with a spectacular investigation of brutal murders. It is not that the film candidly copies elements of the film by Jonathan Demme. Rather, it builds a rather interesting base that weaves both ribbons into something single. Which is essentially advantageous considering that this film is a prequel to the picture by Demme and logically ends at the moment at which the film begins Demme.
The main advantage of the tape can be considered an impressive atmosphere. It is she, and not close-ups of brutal violence on the screen, that keeps the viewer in a state of total tension and does not give the opportunity to take your eyes away from what is happening on the screen. Moreover, contributes to this as a stunning source writer Thomas Harris, and the plot of the screenwriter "Silence of the Lambs" Ted Talley, the return of which can be safely called the main correct decision of the creators of the tape. As well as the luxurious music of Danny Elfman, which brings an indescribable level of horror to the film. The investigation is developing insanely interesting, the characters are revealed simply amazingly and you watch all this with a real fading heart.
This is a great example of Anthony Hopkins. As in the case of the Silence of the Lambs, he is given not so much screen time, but even with this in mind, he does simply incredible and once again so strongly animates the image of the brilliant and dangerous Hannibal Lector that easily eclipses all other actors. A worthy competitor to him on the screen is the magnificent Edward Norton, who played one of the best roles in his career. Moreover, playing Will Graham is exactly what he seemed to me when reading the original novel.
Amazingly, the image of the main villain was taken over by the already insanely respected by me Rafe Fiennes. At the same time, allowing you to look at the work of the actor from a different side. In conclusion, pleases the film and decent performance of all other actors of such a star cast. Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Mary-Louise Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman and all the others masterfully played their roles and their game allowed to experience even greater pleasure when watching the tape.
10 out of 10
The Red Dragon is a worthy follower of The Silence of the Lambs, who, if not copying or surpassing it, honorably continues his legacy without any experiments like Ridley Scott’s Hannibal. Very dark, heavy, cruel, psychologically strong and insanely fascinating detective thriller, which you watch with a real fading heart and hasten to call it a worthy adaptation of the cult novel by Thomas Harris.
Accidentally learned about the plans for the development of the series “Hannibal” and decided because of this to revise the original trilogy, as its events will be included in the next seasons. In particular, the book on which this film was made will form the basis of the fourth. To be honest, I liked this film adaptation much less than the series in almost all respects. First of all, of course, give way to aesthetics, cruelty and naturalism. No, not that it was a children's fairy tale, but the film will not cause the slightest shock. Given the genre, yes, I think that's a drawback.
Regarding the characters, it’s not that Anthony Hopkins isn’t as cool as Mads Mikkelsen – that would be some kind of sacrilege. However, they are completely different, and I can’t say for sure who I like better, although I admit that Hopkins was perfect in this image. Edward Norton is also good and very similar to Hugh Dancy, by the way (well, or vice versa – it will be more correct). Of the other heroes, I liked Crawford and Freddie Lounds. By the way, I just found out that in the original Lounds was a man. If you compare Hoffman with Chorostecki, then he is much more interesting as an image, but less pleasant externally, of course (especially half-naked).
If you go back to the story, I was really bored at first. The story is noticeably long, it has certain problems with dynamics, there is practically no black humor, and the formation of another villain-loser is not too impressive. Having managed to safely forget the end of the story, I was even going to give a low rating, but no. The final here is not quite expected, tense and dynamic, it deserves attention. In fact, to a large extent, I will assess for him.
As I wrote earlier in the review of the series Hannibal - not all changes for the better.
I’ve never seen Red Dragon before, although I’ve seen all the other three movies. Until recently, I didn’t know that these films were based on books. As usual, I turned to the source and read "Red Dragon". Thomas Harris, and then went to see the film adaptation.
And since this picture of Brett Ratner claims to be a film adaptation, and not just filmed based on the same "Hannibal" - I will be picky.
I'll start with the story.
Why did the story of Francis Dolarchide get cut? Everything in the book was well written - his childhood and all the prerequisites of his "maniac nature." In the film, we were deprived of the opportunity to understand this character, if not for the book, I would hardly have even a drop of sympathy for Dolarhyde.
The Graham family. No, on the one hand, I'm glad his story was made less tragic. So in the book the son wasn't his, he was from his wife Molly's deceased husband. So Graham had personal problems there, which made him feel sorry. In the film, Graham, we have a happy family man who, in addition to problems with a maniac, has no more.
In the finale, one very important touch was missed, which gave a certain tragedy to the whole story. The one that showed that every maniac caught leaves a noticeable mark on Will Graham's life.
The actors are supposedly good, but are these roles for them?
Anthony Hopkins is certainly a great actor. And Hannbal he played well - the way he moves and throws glances at Graham - in short, in places it was a little creepy.
Edward Norton I saw very little, that is, I heard a lot about the actor and probably watched a couple of films, but in general I do not know much about his acting. So purely outwardly he will quite roll like Will Graham. That’s just his character he did not fully convey (here, perhaps, a mistake of the writers). He looked like an FBI agent in moments, but I often lacked fear. Yes, it is fear, because in the film Graham we were presented with a kind of guy who solves crimes like some kind of scanword, and after all, book Graham was not very worried about all this.
But Francis Dolarchide in the performance of Rife Fiennes came out not so much. The actor is great, but too handsome for this role - makeup is not enough. In the film, he got a little lip-dash, but in my opinion, he should be more disgusting - not a freak, of course, because only he considered himself such, but definitely more disgusting. And his split personality is poorly shown.
Emily Watson with her role as Riba McClane (by the way, why is she called Reeve?) coped well. My personal opinion is that I don’t really like this actress.
I really liked Mary-Louise Parker as Molly. It's just like I imagined. Well, and Philip Seymour Hoffman quite showed us Lounds.
In general, it was very weak.
And he gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know folly and folly; he knew that this too is a torment of the spirit.
Before I saw the movie, I read the book. To be honest, the film impressed me. Rarely do you see this on the screen, when absolutely every scene is shot from a book, nothing was missed. There were some minor changes that didn’t ruin the film’s reputation. And yes, it’s safe to say that the original “Human Hunter” loses to “Red Dragon.”
"Red Dragon" is everything that happens in the film before "Silence of the Lambs," the very first of four parts about Hannibal Lecter. First we are shown a symphony orchestra, and then a beautiful set table, many guests and Lecter himself. People ask what this wonderful pate is made of, which Hannibal does not tell them. Will Graham, also an FBI agent, comes to Lecter in order to find out the motives of the terrible killer. Together with him, his assistant friend Jack Crawford, who invited Graham to do this business. And for good reason! Thus, while the FBI is looking for a criminal, he manages to commit many more murders.
Edward Norton, aka Will Graham. Awesome game! The investigator was brilliant in mind, turned out to be honest, brave, intelligent, which is amazing with what accuracy he guesses everything and almost makes no mistakes. In general, a guy with an unusual, for people, thinking. He undertakes this work in order to prevent further tragedies. It was interesting to look at how he thinks, thinks, solves, and more specifically, at his way of thinking.
Rafe Fine (Francis Dolarchide) as a ruthless killer, or as people called the Tooth Fairy. All those resentments, humiliation and suffering... however, everything that he experienced as a child immediately “splashes out” on people. In other words, he begins to take revenge on everyone. He lacked love, which is exactly why and why, sometimes, you feel pity and sympathy for this character. I was surprised by how much patience he needed!
The protagonist of all our parts is Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkin). Just looking at him gives you goosebumps, giving you the impression that he's looking into your soul and he knows everything about you. Mysterious character, but also the most interesting. Anthony, you impressed me!
I can't help but mention that there were love scenes. It was, surprisingly, the place to be! There is no chase, meat grinder, dismemberment, tightness and so on. The film is not only for a lover of the horror genre, but also for absolutely everyone. A psychological thriller, but also a detective. Very interesting and unusual. Everything in moderation and looks, in fact, creepy, atmospheric, tense! The end is something. I am very interested in all these parts (this part is the most beloved) and read all these four novels, and therefore I can firmly put:
10 out of 10
Interesting thriller. A tight detective. Multi-faceted drama.
"The Silence of the Lambs." There's no cute Clarissa Starling yet. But we meet Will Graham, an FBI agent who caught Hannibal Lecter himself. After that, he leaves the service, but the appearance of the dangerous maniac “Toot Fairy” forces him to get involved again in the course of investigations. But the leads are too small and Will is forced to seek advice from the one who caught, and who almost killed him - Dr. Lecter.
All the detectives have a lot of plot details, revealing which will be a spoiler. Therefore, in my opinion, it is so difficult to write reviews to interest, but not to tell too much. This film is no exception. All I can mention is that Will's boss, Jack Crawford, Will's family, Rab's blind but strong-willed girlfriend and newspaper reporter Freddy Lounds are involved. Well, in fact, the story of the maniac himself is shown casually. By the way, quite sad and tragic.
The cast is a masterpiece. I will not even write about Hopkins, and it is clear that the image of an intellectual cannibal was created by him and embodied incredibly. I still admire Edward Norton’s talent. I am increasingly convinced that he is a first-class actor and can play any role. All the movies I’ve seen have been completely different. His characters don’t have any similarities, except that he plays them. Rafe Fiennes played a maniac with a mental disorder. Pretty plausible, but something was missing... His character was not fully revealed to me.
The film was well made. Quality. The only thing at the beginning of the film, when Will came to the house of the victims and examined it for the first time, I would have removed those terrible screams when the lights turned on. Maybe the creators thought that they would catch up with more fear, but personally I just unpleasantly cut my ears with a sharp sound.
Interesting, tense, addictive film with a not bad plot and a brilliant cast.
Red Dragon is the sinister and tragically subtle backstory of the legendary detective thriller Silence of the Lambs. Someone will say that the film is not good anywhere - the aged Anthony Hopkins, does not fit into the role of Will Graham Edward Norton ... in fact, it is not quite so. The picture is imbued with real fear, anxiety, horror, covering the heroes of the tape with their heads. Yes, Sir Anthony has gotten older - which is generally logical, people age over the years, do not get younger. But he hasn't let his game down one iota - Dr. Lecter's stranglehold! Hannibal Lecter can grasp and pinch in the vise only with his glance, only with his smile. And the actor who turned this image into a legend, an icon of the genre, still does it, and it turns out first-class. Anthony Hopkins, as always, is on top.
I agree with those who said that Edward Norton is not suitable for the role of Will Graham. Yeah. Maybe so. After all, if you recall the original source, namely the novel by Thomas Harris “Red Dragon”, you can understand that Will Graham – in addition to being a genius in the psychology of criminal behavior – is in some ways a sick person. Crawford says that Graham's "brains are arranged differently." His genius borders on madness. But that's why he's a genius. And all geniuses are mentally ill people, as a rule.
Norton managed to embody the image of Graham with eyes, grins, but not behavior. In this regard, he loses to William Petersen, who played Graham in the Michael Mann film “Hunter for People” – the very first adaptation of the novel “Red Dragon”. Petersen managed to embody the real Graham on the screen - the investigator who gradually goes crazy, and thereby penetrates the consciousness of the criminal.
Rafe Fiennes - and even if he is not blonde Scandinavian type, as in the novel, but for internal experiences, emotions, mental disorders and anger, he is like Dollarhide. Ruthless, ruthless. And only Mrs. MacLaine managed to wake a man in him and calm the beast.
Overall, the film is strong, keeping in suspense from start to finish. Yes, there are slight deviations from the book, but they are not so noticeable. The tape turned out to be hard, gloomy, and catching up with "Silence of the Lambs." The storyline is developed, the actors got used to the role, and, I must say, the cast in the film is quite strong. And most importantly, the comparison between Lecter and Graham also slips through the picture. Hannibal tells Will that he only caught him because they look alike. Two antagonists, but with more similar than different. Bravo to the actors and director Brett Ratner - the book lay perfectly on the screen.
I love Hannibal Lector movies, so I couldn’t help but watch Red Dragon. This psychological thriller turned out to be spectacular and interesting, and its story is dramatic and peculiar. The budget of the film is large, so the film turned out to be high-quality and worthy of attention. In this thriller, we see who put Hannibal behind bars and who caught him, and we see a story that was previously unknown, where new secrets of the mysterious and sinister Hannibal Lector and another story of one of his acquaintances are revealed.
We see how the main character of the film has figured out and understood who Hannibal really is, and was able to cope with him and put him behind bars, but then again the authorities are looking for a new terrible and cruel killer, and the main character in his search can only help smart and cold-blooded Hannibal Lector.
The theme of the film is interesting and it is not trivial, so I love the films about Hannibal and watch them with pleasure. Anthony Hopkins played extremely impressively and talentedly, and his character scares and causes goosebumps. This is his role as a respectable intellectual who was a cannibal, my favorite, and he played it really well. Edward Norton is a bright and pleasant actor, and in this thriller I was pleased to see him. Rafe Fiennes is also a talented actor, and he always manages to play complex, contradictory roles, so in this thriller he looked spectacular and believable.
Red Dragon is a big budget drama thriller made in 2002, and I loved it and watched it eagerly. From the first to the last shot, he is psychological, and intriguing with his story. “The Silence of the Lambs” of course I like much more, but this film also deserves attention and positive evaluation.
7 out of 10
Released in 2002, Brett Ratner’s Red Dragon is a prequel to Jonathan Demmy’s Silence of the Lambs and Ridley Scott’s Hannibal. A magnificent combination of acting, coupled with subtle camera work and demonstration of directorial abilities make the picture attractive to a wide audience, which, of course, is a guarantee of success. Despite some discrepancies in the plot, the film as a whole follows the books of Thomas Harris and demonstrates a detailed description of the work of the FBI, vivid and memorable characters, a joyless and rather gloomy environment on the screen. Immediately comes to mind a comparison with the already mentioned “Silence of the Lambs”, which describes a similar pattern of action. Unfortunately, the comparison is not in favor of the Red Dragon. Jonathan Demmy’s tape is more intriguing, more detailed, making the viewer follow every step of the heroine Jodie Foster, filled with philosophical overtones, metaphysical flight of the soul, and Clarissa’s psychological duel with Dr. Lecter hears individual praise.
In the film Ratner, who directed his first, and so far the only film in the genre of psychological thriller, none of this. However, if you evaluate the film, without starting from previous projects, then it is certainly made talented and modern. Special praise deserves the acting game. The main advantage, in my purely pragmatic opinion, is Rafe Fiennes. The madness, brilliantly played by the actor, makes you both admire and tremble at the sight of Francis Dolarhyde. FBI agent Will Graham, played by Edward Norton, encourages the viewer to empathize with his character. Anthony Hopkins, who played the role of Hannibal Lecter for the third time, seems tired, and, although he played well, this acting work is not the best in his filmography. The rest of the cast, in general, coped with their roles.
Shot in the best traditions of the genre of “psychological thriller” this film has rightfully become an excellent representative of American cinema.
8 out of 10
The stories of the maniac Ganiball Lecter are both beautiful and terrible. They are beautiful by the uniqueness of the plot, heroes and endings; terrible by the very idea that a person can be a subtle aesthete, but at the same time a lover of human meat in the literal sense.
"Red Dragon" - the prequel of the acclaimed "Silence of the Lambs" - tells us about the earlier period of Hannibal's life, as well as his first periods of imprisonment. And although 12 years have passed since the filming of The Silence of the Lambs, both films were shot by completely different people, the picture in style remained the same, which cannot but please.
The cast is brilliant. I am simply amazed by Rafe Fiennes, who manages the roles of both incredible villains and serious, dramatic projects. His character, a bullied little boy with obvious psychological trauma, feeling flawed, grew up in a riotous madman with a split personality and voices in his head. Fiennes managed to convey the whole attitude of his character, his delicate emotional color.
Norton-Hopkins, a criminal investigator, turned out to be very successful. There should be no claims to such actors a priori, since Hopkins is a legend in itself, and his Hannibal is the strongest image, combining both a subtle psychologist, a connoisseur of everything beautiful, and, nevertheless, just a psycho, whose fleeting grimace often slips on his face; Norton is a master of reincarnation, and his investigator turned out to be such an obligatory, honest one. Very positive, so bright side of this deviliad. As in “Silence”, Hannibal here is not the main villain, however, you feel the skill and authority, you want to follow his actions every second.
It is also necessary to highlight "Emily Watson" - her blind Reba turned out to be above all praise.
"Red Dragon" is not inferior to "Silence of the Lambs" absolutely nothing. The script is still very strong, and although in some moments the tension fades, it comes back with a new, redoubled force in the next scene. The thriller turned out smart when there are no some disgusting scenes of murder, and shown causes unpleasant feelings to the extent necessary. All atrocities remain behind the scenes, the viewer learns about everything post factum, fragmentary, partially. As if the director Brat Ratner leaves a little space for the imagination of the viewer, they say that you can think of many things yourself.
The film may be a little lacking in scale, but the plot there are no scenes of chase and destruction, so everything turned out exactly in moderation. Any shortcomings are more than paid off by the strongest characters, primarily Hannibal and the Red Dragon.
The picture turned out good, however, after the success of "Silence" all the awards passed for her side.
Dr. Hannibal Lector, being a great connoisseur of symphonic music and experiencing ambivalent feelings after the next concert, invited leading musicians and an active philharmonic orchestra to his home for a dinner party. Besides being a recognized authority on forensic psychology, he had a subtle taste and one of his hobbies was cooking. The doctor himself prepared exquisite delicacies for the guests. To this end, he carved the most tidbits from the body of that unfortunate flutist, who godlessly faked, preventing him from enjoying the beautiful and generally harmonious sound of the orchestra. Naturally, he kept secret recipes of exquisite dishes, so as not to spoil the appetite and not to injure the delicate psyche of master musicians. However, on the trail of the predator was a young but talented FBI specialist in the field of psychology Will Graham.
Brett Ratner directed the film, which is a prequel to The Silence of the Lambs with Jodie Foster in one of the main roles. Actually, the action of this picture ends exactly where the heroine Foster comes to the place of imprisonment of the character Hopkins. A very impressive acting ensemble was assembled for filming. In the role of Hannibal Lector – all the same Anthony Hopkins. I would call his character a genius psycho. Cesare Lombroso proved that the symbiosis of genius and madness is quite common. Needless to say, Anthony Hopkins is very good in a role that is actually one of his calling cards.
Of course, Jodie Foster is not in this movie. This would contradict the further development of the plot. Edward Norton played a similar role. He played FBI special agent Gregory Gottfried Graham after the exposure of Hannibal Lecter retired and together with his family changed his place of residence, but his experience was in demand when hunting a new maniac. He enlists the help of Dr. Lecter, who is placed in a mental hospital in Baltimore. Hannibal begins a delicate double game that threatens the lives of the Graham family. With all due respect to Edward Norton’s work, I can’t put this role among his strongest, maybe it’s because this character is poorly written in the script. I didn’t have enough charisma.
I would also like to mention Harvey Keitel as FBI investigator Jack Crawford. After he framed reporter Freddie Lance, however, together with Will Graham, you can hardly call both positive heroes.
Reporter Freddie Lance was well played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Quite an ordinary, cynical journalist, doing his job like hundreds and thousands of others, perhaps a little more professionally. I have to admit, I really felt sorry for him.
And finally, in fact, the “red dragon” himself is a maniac, and in everyday life, an ordinary worker of a photo-film processing factory Dee Kane. In fact, he is a normal schizophrenic and paranoid. Cruel upbringing in childhood led to persistent mental disorder, manifested in the form of a split personality. This role was convincingly played by Ralph Fiennes. It would be even more convincing if the film ended in the place where Dee Kane, for the sake of his beloved, kills the dragon in himself and the all-consuming fire symbolizes his deadly agony, but the authors somehow decided not to dwell on such a logical ending, but made the finale according to a long-known pattern. In my opinion, this conclusion is simply unnecessary and does not add anything to the film.
In general, the picture turned out to be quite watchable, although it does not reach the level of “Silence of the Lambs”, but this is quite a common phenomenon for sequels and prequels. Of course, it is quite interesting for all fans of Hannibal Lector.
7 out of 10
“Scars have power over people, they remind us that the past is real.”
"Red Dragon" at the moment is the last picture of the cycle about the life of Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the main role in which was performed by the ideal embodiment of this character - Anthony Hopkins. In the third part of the film series, the composition of the producers also changed significantly. In the director’s chair this time was Brett Ratner, who directed earlier “Rush Hour” and seemed a little strange choice of producers, as it is more entertainment manager than the director of hard thrillers. They also changed the composer. In each series, there was a recognized maestro (Howard Shore, Hanz Zimmer) and this time also called a real professional - a regular colleague of Tim Burton - Danny Elfman, who was able to perfectly convey all the inexhaustible tension and anxiety for the characters in the frame, which still achieved Brett Ratner!
Red Dragon is a prequel to the very first movie, Silence of the Lambs. This is the time when we don’t know anything about Clarisse Starling’s character, and for the first time we see Dr. Lecter being caught, and most importantly by whom! According to the concept, this film is ideally combined with the creation of Jonathan Demme than with the soul-romantic “Hannibal” Ridley Scott, as Lecter here again acts as not the main character, but a sinister consultant who helps find another terrible maniac.
Dr. Hannibal Lecter After two films in the series, we already know what to expect from Anthony Hopkins’ character, but despite the limited screen time in relation to Hannibal, he is the main attraction of the film. Despite the fact that at the very beginning of the film his character gets into the notorious hospital, Lecter keeps all attention on himself and is the driving force of the work. We were exposed to some aspects of his internal schedule, the society of the notorious Dr. Chilton, the guard Barney (invariably in these roles since 1990 Anthony Hild and Frankie Fazon), and the heartfelt rage with mild irony at helping the man who caught him. And these dialogues and experiences are not inferior to the relationship with Clarisse Starling in the future. So despite everything, Dr. Lecter remains the character that attracts the viewer again and again.
Detective Will Graham It was Detective Graham who was able to catch the brilliant criminal, Hannibal Lecter, as he is a brilliant investigator. The ideal embodiment of this character was one of the best actors of our time Edward Norton. Despite the external weakness, in his face there is a powerful intellect, which is transmitted to the character. His hero after the enchanting arrest of Lecter retired, but the FBI in the person of Jack Crawford (this time the image of the hero instead of Scott Glen performed by Harvey Keitel) again turns to him to catch a new monster in human likeness. Only a psychopath can help catch a psycho. And the best of them is Lecter. So the heroes come face to face again years later, and for the Graham family this will be not just a difficult test, but a threat, since the doctor, even sitting behind bars, is a genius of pain and danger! But almost the entire story now lies on the shoulders of Norton, who is looking for a trace of a maniac. His game, methods and great plot do not let you get bored for a minute. Bravo, Edward Norton!
Francis Dolorheid To the incredibly successful duet of Hopkins-Northon added another value – Francis Dolorheid performed by Rafe Fiennes. His hero is an inconspicuous middle-aged man living in a luxurious but abandoned mansion. The terrible experiences of childhood seriously damaged his psyche and outbursts of anger along with hallucinations made his character much scarier than the same Jim Gamb from the Silence of the Lambs. Fiennes acts here as a cold-blooded antihero who still loses the fight with the inner monster. But still in his perverse manner he seeks liberation from the dragon that has taken possession of his thoughts. Dolorheid received a lot of screen time, so he is not inferior in his disclosure to the hero of Edward Norton. And his fate is developed so that at some point we do not even know how to treat him. This is a controversial hero and the more interesting it is to watch him.
Reb McClane The main female heroine of the film performed by Emily Watson is perhaps the main emotional catalyst for the action. This is a blind girl who in the routine of life meets Dolorheid and between them runs a spark of reciprocity. He thinks he's ugly, she's blind and lonely. This could be the perfect couple if it wasn’t for Dolorheid’s macabre truth and uncontrollability. But the scenes with their communication are so colorful that they can be remembered for a long time and wish to change the fatal ending of the story. Watson is an excellent actress who created a really clean and bright heroine and this contrast to everything that is happening, she proved the justification for her participation in the film.
In "Red Dragon" there are a couple of celebrities. This is Bill Duke - the star of the 80s ("Commando", "Predator") in the role of an employee of the Department of Justice and future Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, who plays Freddie, a meticulous journalist, unnerving with his actions everyone around, including Dolorheid himself. The actors joined an amazing lineup of performers and despite small roles did not get lost in their background.
"Red Dragon" is an excellent conclusion to the Hannibal Lecter trilogy performed by Anthony Hopkins. Here all the best of the first two parts (detective, romance, experiences, intrigue ...) are collected and successfully combined into a single whole with the help of director Brett Ratner. So all lovers of a mad psychiatrist, and all high-quality thrillers I strongly recommend to watch.
10 out of 10