Director: Brett Ratner
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Anthony Hopkins and Edward Norton
‘A Spectacular Thriller’
Not many actors have made movies that shine as bright as Ralph Fiennes. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Fiennes has become an icon. Whether it is preachers, Nazi commanders or bold political leaders, Fiennes has always portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Fiennes’ greatest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has often had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he’s not the central focus of a movie, Fiennes always leaves a lasting impression. An actor with bold commitment, Fiennes has proven a celebrated icon in entertainment. Although he is arguably best known for his iconic role as Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise, Fiennes has proven he can make engaging films in every single genre. Throughout a long lasting career, Fiennes has made many memorable movies that definitely are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Fiennes and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Red Dragon” is truly his most underrated work. Released in 2002, Brett Ratner’s film offered a spectacular portrait of frightening serial killers. Packed with strong production design, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best serial killer films ever made. At a centre of it all is a brilliant performance by Ralph Fiennes, who plays a sadistic serial killer facing tension. Although “Red Dragon” is a riveting serial killer thriller, it isn’t a flawless film. It suffers from uneven pacing which tests patience. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of serial killer movies.
“Red Dragon” tells the story of a serial killer embarking on a dangerous journey causing tension. Edward Norton plays the FBI agent Will Graham, a dedicated detective with a talent for catching serial killers. Graham has always excelled at catching notorious serial killers causing tension. However, Graham’s life forever changes when he is given tasks of investigating a new serial killer. Facing a dilemma, Graham questions if it is possible for him to seize serial killers that are causing trauma. Tasked with new serial killer Francis (Ralph Fiennes), Graham questions whether it’s possible to overcome killers which cause mental declines. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Graham wonders if it is possible for him to apprehend a frightening serial killer.
Brett Ratner is a newcomer towards stories of serial killers in danger. Before he created “Red Dragon”, Ratner has never created a serial killer film before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the struggle of serial killers facing adversities but he succeeded. Through stunning cinematography, Ratner captures a frightening serial killer going on a journey to find identity. Inspired by Jonathan Demme’s “The Silence of the Lambs”, the filmmaker effectively employs montages to capture tensions faced by serial killers that live in silence. For instance, the montages elevate the serial killer interrogation scene. During this memorable scene, Graham has an intense investigation with the frightening serial killer Hannibal Lecter causing tension. Using stunning montages, Ratner creates a portrait of serial killers which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” demonstrated, montages elevate Holocaust movies. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Ratner captures the hardships which frightening serial killers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Red Dragon” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best serial killer movies which you will ever see. Recalling David Fincher’s “Se7en”, the filmmaker expertly uses costumes to convey serial killers that face tension. Throughout the movie, Hannibal’s costumes showcase his transformation into a serial killer that is frightening. For instance, costumes elevate the serial killer meeting scene. During this unforgettable scene, Hannibal has intense meetings with strong FBI agents that cause tension. Through stunning costumes, Ratner creates a strong portrait of serial killers that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is superb. It gives the film intense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden serial killers bear. Throughout captivating production, Ratner captures dark serial killers which experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Red Dragon” is a serial killer movie that is engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the tensions serial killers experience. Evoking Mary Harron’s “American Psycho”, Ratner effectively uses silence to capture lives of serial killers facing sorrow. For instance, the silence enhances the serial killer murders scene. During this intense scene, Graham expresses grief after discovering evidence of grim murders committed by serial killers. Through silence, Ratner created a portrait of serial killers that audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in films. As suggested by Anthony Minghella’s “The English Patient”, silence elevates romantic films about doomed love. Edward Berger’s “Conclave” demonstrated, silence enhances religious movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a strong screenplay, Ratner captures serial killers which face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Ralph Fiennes delivers one of his greatest performances as Francis. Fiennes earned recognition for playing evil Nazi soldiers in WWII dramas. With “Red Dragon”, however, Fiennes took on his most complex role. It’s not easy to portray a frightening serial killer that faces tragedy but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors that’s working today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Fiennes, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of praise. Anthony Hopkins is amazing, capturing intense personality of an intelligent serial killer seeking to prevent catastrophe. Edward Norton is exceptional, burning dedication to a powerful FBI agent seeking to apprehend serial killers enduring tension. Lastly, Harvey Keitel merits praise. As a ruthless gangster, he is unforgettable.
Despite its superb performances, however, “Red Dragon” can’t quite capture hardships that serial killers experience. If there’s one minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks an entertaining pacing. Ratner’s decisions to integrate subplots about hospitals in the movie is bold but doesn’t succeed. Due to this faulty technique, scenes capturing the mental health institutions aren’t nearly as engaging as Graham’s meetings with serial killers. As David Fincher’s “Zodiac” proved, subplots about serial killers often enhance detective movies. Therefore, “Red Dragon” can’t quite capture the lives of serial killers audiences adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Ralph Fiennes would enjoy “Red Dragon” and so would movie-goers seeking intense entertainment. An engaging serial killer drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about FBI agents that seek to investigate a serial killer, it’s a bold reminder of a renowned actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to play compelling characters in memorable movies which audiences treasure.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 