Someday a Hollywood filmography will be incomplete without having - or being - a meal with Hannibal Lecter. While watching this latest episode I am struck by the list of accomplished actors who have passed through. It may soon be as popular as appearing in a Woody Allen movie, if not as appetizing.
Anthony Hopkins reprises his role as the creepy connoisseur of gustatory gore and continues to scare us silly. Ed Norton plays the super sleuth Will Graham who brings down Lecter after a skillful sleight of hand making the good doctor both the hunter and the hunted. Norton portrays a master of investigative powers who is recalled from retirement to solve another series of murders baffling the FBI. And much to his dismay, it begins to get personal. Norton's acting skills are superb but the nasal quality of his voice detracts from his impact.
Ralph Fiennes plays the latest monster - or rather "a man with a monster on his back" - Francis Dolarhyde aka Red Dragon a serial murderer that survived his abusive mother without a well-developed sense of self-worth. Fiennes never seems to get into his role or perhaps that's his interpretation of this psychopath. Harvey Keitel brings his rough-cut authority to represent the FBI mainstream. Emily Watson portrays a vulnerable woman, handicapped by blindness who's attracted to Dolarhyde and her fate is predictable.
The story intrigues as it moves through the investigation of brutal crime, the victims and the perpetrators. When Graham recruits the good doctor to help solve the mystery, Lecter lends both his criminal mind and his analytical acumen from his solitary confinement to force his former adversary to stretch his powers while mentoring Red Dragon. With nothing to lose and the lure of a challenge, Hannibal uses this opportunity to get back in the game.
I missed chapter 2 ("Hannibal") deliberately and never caught "Manhunt" so my perspective only includes "Silence of Lambs" which broke new ground in characterization and plot. "Red Dragon" gives us our moneys worth without gratuitous gore. It's suspenseful, generally well acted and keeps our interest without leaving that sour aftertaste.
Anthony Hopkins reprises his role as the creepy connoisseur of gustatory gore and continues to scare us silly. Ed Norton plays the super sleuth Will Graham who brings down Lecter after a skillful sleight of hand making the good doctor both the hunter and the hunted. Norton portrays a master of investigative powers who is recalled from retirement to solve another series of murders baffling the FBI. And much to his dismay, it begins to get personal. Norton's acting skills are superb but the nasal quality of his voice detracts from his impact.
Ralph Fiennes plays the latest monster - or rather "a man with a monster on his back" - Francis Dolarhyde aka Red Dragon a serial murderer that survived his abusive mother without a well-developed sense of self-worth. Fiennes never seems to get into his role or perhaps that's his interpretation of this psychopath. Harvey Keitel brings his rough-cut authority to represent the FBI mainstream. Emily Watson portrays a vulnerable woman, handicapped by blindness who's attracted to Dolarhyde and her fate is predictable.
The story intrigues as it moves through the investigation of brutal crime, the victims and the perpetrators. When Graham recruits the good doctor to help solve the mystery, Lecter lends both his criminal mind and his analytical acumen from his solitary confinement to force his former adversary to stretch his powers while mentoring Red Dragon. With nothing to lose and the lure of a challenge, Hannibal uses this opportunity to get back in the game.
I missed chapter 2 ("Hannibal") deliberately and never caught "Manhunt" so my perspective only includes "Silence of Lambs" which broke new ground in characterization and plot. "Red Dragon" gives us our moneys worth without gratuitous gore. It's suspenseful, generally well acted and keeps our interest without leaving that sour aftertaste.