DVD Review: Red Dragon (From Penarth Times)

DVD Review: Red Dragon

PREPARE to be scared! Anthony Hopkins is back in his best-known role - Hannibal Lecter.

But 'Red Dragon' is set before the days of Agent Starling, when FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) figures out the brilliant forensic psychologist he has been working with, (Lecter), is actually the perpetrator of the grisly killings Graham has been investigating.

Barely escaping the take-down with his life, Graham opts for early retirement.

But when whole families are found hideously slain, the FBI calls on the retired agent, with a talent for seeing into the minds of brutal killers, to find the murderer.

With the clock ticking, Graham has to go to Lecter to ask for his help. Finally cracking Hannibal's cryptic messages, Graham solves the case.

The killer is Francis Dolarhyde, well played by Ralph Fiennes, a physically strong man with a dark past. Disfigured Francis is dominated by his dead grandmother, and longs to evolve into a powerful creature. Driven by voices in his head, he is compelled to kill.

This is an absolutely gripping movie. It has a 15 certificate, which is wise to stick to, because some of the scenes are very disturbing.

But the author, Thomas Harris and director Brett Ratner, have worked well together to forge a story-line and adaptation that will really get you thinking as you peer into a strange and deranged mind - or two!