I Am The Dragon!

NOTE: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW WHO "THE TOOTH FAIRY" IS, SKIP THE SECTION RIGHT AFTER HANNIBAL LECTER UNTIL YOU SEE THE MESSAGE "IT'S SAFE TO READ"



A couple weeks ago, I just finished the novel "Red Dragon" by Thomas Harris from which the movie is based on. After reading the novel, I decided I must watch Red Dragon again and this time pay attention to it. I'm glad I did.

Where Harris brought us the novel, director Brett Ratner ( Rush Hour ) brings us the movie. It is a compelling mixture of crime scene investigation and horror. The performances are chilling (especially Hopkins) and the story is wonderful. Pity I haven't seen Silence of the Lambs or Hannibal yet.

PLOT

The movie starts with the arrest of Hannibal Lecter, a notorious serial killer played by the lovable (though, not in this movie) Anthony Hopkins ( Silence of the Lambs ). The arresting FBI Agent is none other than Will Graham, who at first thought Lecter was trying to help him solve the murders. Graham is being portrayed by Edward Norton ( Fight Club ).

Now that Lecter is in prison, Graham can relax and take it easy, right? Wrong! Three years later after his encounter with Lecter, a new killer has arrived. This killer, whom the FBI call "The Tooth Fairy" has killed two families, both in the light of a full moon. Graham now has to use his expertise skills in psychology and profiling to track this killer.

However, he needs some assistance. And who better to understand a serial killer than a serial killer. So, Graham visits Lecter in his cell to try to persuade the vicious being to help track The Tooth Fairy. Lecter offers his help, while toying with Graham. Lecter also finds ways to contact The Tooth Fairy while in prison.

Will Graham be able to find and stop this killer? Will The Tooth Fairy help Lecter out of jail? Will the two team up and tear Graham apart?

WILL GRAHAM

Out of the main character performances, this one would have to be my least favorite. It's not as enjoyable watching him on screen than it was Anthony Hopkins or any of the others. In fact, in places it seemed quite dull and boring, such as when he's speaking into the tape recorder at the crime scenes. The only exciting things about his performance, I found, were at the beginning at the end. In the beginning, when he discovers the truth about Lecter and is almost killed by him and at the end when he fights with The Tooth Fairy. However, this small dislike doesn't take away from the movie's overall performance as Hopkins is able to counter.

HANNIBAL LECTER

The man is in prison for most of the movie, yet you can't help but feel a little nervous while watching him. It's apparent that even Graham is still nervous when he confers with his arch-nemesis whose security surpasses all others. He has no weapons (or objects that could be used as weapons) in his cell. He is closely monitored at all times including recorded phone calls. In his "exercise room" which he walks in, he is in chains which connect to a pulley. His range of movement is extremely limited even there. He seems even scarier while he's locked up, then in the beginning when he's completely free. Hopkins, who can easily portray a sweet charming man as well as an evil serial killer, delivers extremely well. Every good thing about the movie, I have to give him credit for.




FRANCIS DOLARHYDE

Mr. Dolarhyde is played by Ralph Fiennes Schindler's List . The Tooth Fairy's real name is Francis Dolarhyde. He is the one murdering the families at the light of a full moon. Though his performance isn't nearly as good as Lecter's, you're still freaked out by him. One, he has a very strange past and an even stranger tattoo on his back. There's a rather chilling scene where he scares the crap out of a snobby reporter and even (yes, no kidding) bites his lips off. Dolarhyde has two sides to him (like a split personality). One is that of a normal being, just trying to make a living, while dealing with a hair lip and other facial problems that you will see. The other is the Red Dragon. A powerful being who seems to be the one telling Dolarhyde to kill people for making fun of him or people that the Red Dragon just wants to kill.



IT'S SAFE TO READ NOW

EXTRAS

* Audio commentary by Brett Ratner and writer Ted Tally ( Silence of the Lambs )

* Music score commentary by composer Danny Elfman ( Big Fish )

* The Criminal Profile of Hannibal Lecter - Profiler John Douglas guesses on how Lecter and other killers are profiled.

* The Life History of Hannibal Lecter - A look at the complete life of the notorious Lecter.

* Deleted scenes with or without commentary.

* English, French, or Spanish audio