Finally saw Red Dragon the other night. It was a fine movie, definitely better than Hannibal but not as good as Silence of the Lambs.
There is no denying the talent involved:
Edward Norton - always good, even if he is a bit mentally challenged
Philip Seymour Hoffman - never disappoints
Anthony Hopkins - is Hannibal
Emily Watson - luminous and wonderfully talented
Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Kietel, Mary-Louise Parker - great performances all
And yet...I found myself not nearly as creeped out by this version.
Why, you ask?
The Michael Mann version from 1986 (Manhunter) was just darker somehow. Perhaps it was the lack of gore, which leaves more to the imagination - what you see is never as scary as what you don't see, what you imagine.
More likely, though, is the focus on Hannibal. Anthony Hopkins has so inhabited this role, and the public has embraced it, that Bret Ratner had very little choice but to lean that way.
When Michael Mann brought the Red Dragon story to film the focus was on Will Graham and his struggles with his own demons while hunting real ones. The conflict between saving himself, and protecting his family, vs. doing what is necessary to save others was gripping. William Peterson pulls off the tortured soul fairly well here, though Kim Greist in the role of his wife seems a bit more wooden than concerned. Brian Cox is a wonderfully menacing Lecktor (different spelling in this movie). I also found the ending here more satisfying.
I've read about most of the cases that Thomas Harris used in compiling his villians, but I haven't read any of his books. I think I will pick up Red Dragon and see who got closest.
Right now I would say that, if you can get past the Miami Vice clothes and soundtrack, Manhunter is a more enjoyable flick.
Posted by Vox at June 26, 2003 06:29 PM | movies