Critic's Corner: RED DRAGON

This film, which can be rentedfrom your local video store, israted on a scale of 1 to 4 caducei:

RED DRAGON

Silence of the Lambs

Hannibal

Red Dragon

(2002): Thewas a masterpiece. was a disgrace.With this inmind, I went to see. I waspleasantly surprisedto find that this latestinstallment of the HannibalLecter trilogy fell somewherebetween the 2 earlier films interms of quality. The plot was notas neatly sewn together (pardonthe pun) as its eldest brother, butthe story moved along at a quickpace and had its share of scaresand thrills. The cast is a powerhouseof actors including AnthonyHopkin in his reprisal ofthe role of Hannibal Lecter, thehigh-class serial killer with a gruesomeappetite, and playing hismurderous protégé, the ToothFairy, is the phenomenally talentedRalph Fiennes. Hot on thetrail of this sadistic duo of charactersis FBI agent, Will Graham,played by my favorite up-and-comingyoung actor, Ed Norton.And I would be remiss if I didn'tmention the performance ofEmily Watson in the role of RebaMcClane, the unsuspecting romanticinterest of the Tooth Fairy.This ensemble alone is worth theprice of admission, even if thescript is a bit weak. My suggestionto the creators of theHannibal films is that they shouldleave them as a trilogy and quitwhile they're ahead.

Rating: 2 1/2

Lisa A. Tomaszewski, managing editor ofPhysician's Money Digest, is currentlyworking on her PhD in literature atDrew University in New Jersey. She is anavid fan of film and has taught a summerfilm course at Fairleigh DickinsonUniversity. She welcomes questions,comments, or suggestions for future filmreviews at 732-656-1140 ext 195 orltomaszewski@mwc.com.