A federal agent seeks the help of a grizzly criminal when attempting to track down a new murderous fiend. Based on the first of the Hannibal Lechter novels by author Thomas Harris.

If this were a fish-out-of-water story it would surely star the film's director, Brett Ratner, whose previous credits include The Family Man. As it is, we have Ratner directing an impressive cast of actors in the third film of the Hannibal Lechter series. This story precedes the past movies.

Ratner's cast is very impressive here, Hopkins has certainly perfected Lechter by now and Ralph Fiennes is creepy elegance in the role of the sought after murderer. The rest of the cast shouldn't be overlooked either, all the supporting characters where portrayed and played well. I was a trifle disappointed with Edward Norton however; he was great as the hard-nosed yet vulnerable federal agent, but when the script called for it, I wasn't convinced of him as a dedicated family man.

This story is, of course, similar to The Silence of the Lambs but here we are denied the more, shall we say, playful side of Dr. Lechter that made The Silence of the Lambs more interesting. Although one could take from Red Dragon that the doctor was perfecting his craft in this film, preparing for the inevitable opportunity to get into the head of the next agent who approaches him for assistance. This was certainly hinted at in Red Dragon's final scene.

Red Dragon is really a fine thriller and a rather good filmmaking effort; certainly better than Hannibal, but not approaching the greatness of The Silence of the Lambs. Ratner proves himself a capable director here by not over-directing this piece. Little need for this when you've got good material and an exceptional cast.

Directed by Brett Ratner.

By the way, there was a previous film based on this same book called Manhunter, directed by Michael Mann.