Red Dragon (2002)

The Best Psycho-Themed Movie Ever

Stars   :  Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes
Score  :  7.5 / 10

 

The most of movie fans must have been heard the title of this movie and I'm sure a lot of them have watched it. Yes, this film is part of the trilogy adaptation from the novel by Thomas Harris. Those movies are The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Hannibal (2001) and Red Dragon (2002). But if sorted by the story, the first is Red Dragon, The Silence of the Lambs and the last is Hannibal. Because I've never watched them, so I chose to watch Red Dragon first. Will Graham (Edward Norton) is an FBI special agent who was investigating a series of murders. The murder was very cruel because the victims were found dead with some of body parts was lost. Will has a pretty good imagination skill. He suspected that the killer had eaten the victim's body parts.

Will went to Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to ask an advice over his opinions. Lecter is a forensic psychiatrist. Lecter helped Will in some of murder case by giving an overview of psychological and physical profile of the perpetrators. In Lecter home, unexpectedly, Will found a book that answers who is the killer of the murders. Will knew that Lecter was the killer. Lecter saw it, attacked and stabbed Will with a knife. Fortunately, Will could reply to the attack by stabbed and shot Lecter.

  

A book in Lecter home

Lecter attacked Will

A few years later, the FBI unit chief, Jack Crawford (Harvey Keitel) went to Will. Crawford strongly recognized on Will imagination ability, especially after Will could solve Lecter cases. This time, Crawford asked to Will for help the police officers identify the killer of murder cases being handled by FBI. The murder was killed two families, Jacobi in Birmingham and Leeds in Atlanta. They had a similar characteristics murder. Crawford took a conclusion that the murders were committed by the same person. All members of family were killed in their homes before the full moon night. The killer used rubber gloves and shard of glass to kill the victims. The killer insert shard of glass into the victim's eyes. The FBI called the killer as Tooth Fairy.

Mrs. Leeds, was killed with shards of glass in her eyes

At first, Will refused it, especially his wife. She did not want if Will involved in the case of FBI. They were traumatized after what heppened to Will when handling Lecter cases. This time, Crawford tried to convince Will. The FBI would not involve Will in arrest of killer. Will only helped FBI identify the killer. Crawford also said that next murder would happen again soon. At present the FBI was working hard to catch the killer before the next full moon night, so the murder could have been prevented. Will received the request and headed to scene to see and collect evidence.

Will collected the evidence of crime

Will managed to collect some evidence which were missing from FBI investigation. He also made a picture of the murder sequences, but he could not find the criteria of victim which were targeted by the killer. Mrs. Jacobi and Mrs. Leeds was the main target, while other family members were the compliment of killer fantasy. Crawford suggested to Will to met Lecter in Baltimore prison. Lecter could help Will to characterize the physical and psychological of killer and get criteria of victims who were targeted in murder.

Will met Lecter in Baltimore Prison

Lecter in super tight prison, Baltimore

In my opinion, Thomas Harris' trilogy is the best psycho-themed story ever. The story does not just sell out the murder. The audience will be invited to think, guess what will happen and enjoy every investigation revealed by Will. The story behind the murders build very well and logical. The intelligence of Hannibal Lecter adds to the attraction of this movie. It is a seldom that a psychopath can help in FBI cases. Lecter really loves art, especially on paintings, books and music.

Red Dragon Book Cover

The picture of psycho which presented by Lecter was very strong. Anthony Hopkins played Lecter very well, two thumbs up for Hopkins. I get horrified when saw his eyes, seemed to be want to drop his enemies. Setting places and rules in Baltimore also strongly supports Lecter character, super tight and detailed. So, the profile as cruel killer and the most dangerous prisoner in Baltimore successfully obtained.

Red Dragon is my second time watched the action of Edward Norton and I love it. Norton played pretty good in both, Fight Club and Red Dragon. The closeness of emotion between Norton and Hopkins deeply felt when they met back in Baltimore. I will never forget Norton expression, a little scared and nervous.

For psycho-themed movie fans, you should not miss this movie. After you watched Red Dragon, I am sure you can not wait to watch the sequel soon, The Silence of the Lambs. The Silence of the Lambs has popularized Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins as the winner in Academy Awards 1992, category Best Actress and Best Actor in a Leading Role.