This should have been phenomenal. It was, after all, a more faithful adaptation of Harris’ novel "Red Dragon" (previously made into "Manhunter"), only this time written by "Silence of the Lambs" screenwriter Ted Tally and starring everyone’s favorite Hannibal, Anthony Hopkins. (The starry supporting cast included Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.) But, sadly, directorial duties were handed to Brett Ratner, a man totally ill equipped to handle suspense, set pieces, or any kind of actual thrills, really.
It’s the cinematic equivalent of finger painting. Ratner has all of the right colors and he’s working on a beautiful canvas, but nothing is where it should be; everything is off. (The "Hannibal" television series would finally adapt the novel in an interesting way.) "Red Dragon" should be awarded some small points for the delicious way the movie ends. It’s a nifty endnote that makes you wish the rest of the movie was as much fun.
Leave a Reply