Critic Reviews
Red Dragon (2002) Rank 3 Reviews
Expert Review Summary
based on (381) reviews
Click on the numbers to the right of the graph to see reviews of that rating
Reviews by Score:
Appreciating Great Trash
Baltimore City Paper (Lee Gardner)
San Francisco Chronicle (Edward Guthmann)
San Francisco Chronicle (Edward Guthmann)
filmfacts (Johannes Pietsch)
filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)
Red Dragon has just about everything going against it. It's the third movie in a series that won an insane number of Oscars (The Silence of the Lambs) and was promptly followed by one of the worst films in recent memory (Hannibal). It's a prequel… a ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)
Natural Born Viewers (James Chappell)
CinemaSpeak.com (Dan Tester)
Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Dark Horizons (Garth Franklin)
JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Window to the Movies (Jeffrey Chen)
Citysearch (--)
[Fiennes'] hypnotic portrayal of the tortured Francis Dolarhyde is so threateningly sympathetic, you may fear for the actor's own sanity. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Citysearch (--)
Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
With such a great story and a stellar, star-studded cast, there is very little to complain about, other than the fact it didn't really need to be remade in the first place. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
eFilmCritic.com (Brian Mckay)
a damn good suspense movie, against all reasonable expectations. Best of all, however, is the return of Anthony Hopkins as evil incarnate himself, Doctor Hannibal Lecter ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Brian Mckay)
ESpy.CA (Rob Vellone)
At-A-Glance Film Reviews (--)
Showbizz.net (Nicolas Lacroix)
Un dernier voyage dans l'esprit d'Hannibal que ses fans ne voudront pas manquer. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Showbizz.net (Nicolas Lacroix)
rec.arts.movies.reviews (Susan Granger)
The tension is taut and the casting is impeccable in this creepy, suspenseful chiller thriller that evokes Hannibal Lecter's legendary recipe for death. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at rec.arts.movies.reviews (Susan Granger)
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Director Brett Ratner gives us a sumptuously mounted film that is rarely less than intensely creepy, and which boasts the kind of dream cast that only money can buy. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) (Ken Hanke)
Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)
A taut, scary cerebral thriller. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Jam! Movies (Louis B. Hobson)
Dallas Observer (Gregory Weinkauf)
Thankfully, Emily Watson comes to his rescue with her spot-on portrayal of the killer's blind girlfriend; her rich performance works wonders in the absence of Jodie Foster. Now, if only they could remake Hannibal before they assemble that boxed set. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Dallas Observer (Gregory Weinkauf)
Movie Insider (Gareth J. Von Kallenbach)
Finally a follow up to Lambs that works. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Movie Insider (Gareth J. Von Kallenbach)
Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)
Orlando Sentinel (Jay Boyar)
One of the best movies of the year and a splendid addition to a phenomenally popular franchise. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Orlando Sentinel (Jay Boyar)
Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
Red Dragon reaffirms the Silence thesis that depravity is most unnerving when it appears to occur on the street where you live. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Impeccably cast and superbly-acted, this is a well-directed, enjoyable thriller. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Film Threat (David Grove)
Is Red Dragon a better film than "Manhunter?" I don’t know. I think it stands on its own, but I wonder how much people who are intimately familiar with "Manhunter" will be shocked by it, although the ending is altogether different and much more ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Film Threat (David Grove)
Jam! Movies (Jim Slotek)
There's talk of Hannibal films being squeezed out indefinitely, but this would be the perfect high point at which to bid the character adieu. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Jam! Movies (Jim Slotek)
Movie Addict (John Ulmer)
It returns to the roots of the original... ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Movie Addict (John Ulmer)
UTK Daily Beacon (Michael Matassa)
Washington Post (Style Review)
Washington Post (Weekend Review)
Movies for Guys
Greenwich Village Gazette (Eric Lurio)
Movie Roundtable
CountingDown.com (Larry Carroll)
CountingDown.com review (Larry Carroll)
Fulvue Drive-in
3 Black Chicks ("The Diva")
JoBlo's Movie Emporium (JoBlo)
JackassCritics.com (The Grim Ringler)
Moovees.com (Jay Tierney)
Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Ratner is canny enough to close the movie with a devilish tease that will send the Lambs faithful out with a delirious smile. What Red Dragon won't do is haunt your nightmares. Who could have guessed Hannibal Lecter would ever become such a ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Chicago Tribune (Michael Wilmington)
Red Dragon is very much a product, and a superior one, of our times. So is Anthony Hopkins' top-notch fiend, the bad doctor. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Chicago Tribune (Michael Wilmington)
Private Joker's Head (Zach Ralston)
Reel Movie Critic (George O. Singleton)
New York Daily News (Jack Mathews)
I quibble over a film that has none of the artistic pretensions of "The Silence of the Lambs." This is more of a greatest-hits Hannibal movie, with a thunderingly portentous soundtrack, lots of mugging and autopsy detail, and a bang-up double ending. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at New York Daily News (Jack Mathews)
Shannon Patrick Sullivan
Harvey S. Karten
New York Post (Jonathan Foreman)
It's frightening enough, to be sure, but too often it feels like a well-executed but rote exercise. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at New York Post (Jonathan Foreman)
Michael J. Gold
Laramie Movie Scope (Robert Roten)
Jigsaw Lounge (Neil Young)
Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
The most refreshing aspect of Red Dragon is its reliance on old-fashioned acting instead of computer-aided gizmos. Hopkins overdoes his role at times -- his vocal tones are almost campy -- but his piercing eyes are as menacing as ever, and Ralph Fiennes ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Christian Science Monitor (David Sterritt)
Monkeyboy Review
Cinema Signals by The Filmiliar Cineaste
Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
As Hopkins's Lecter is concerned, it's official: He's Freddy Krueger. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Popcorn Gallery (Shannon Patrick Sullivan)
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) (Greg Maki)
Ratner, Tally and Hopkins bring back the elements that made Lambs one of the creepiest films ever made ... ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) (Greg Maki)
Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
Ultimately, Red Dragon is all about the cannibal, and Hopkins, with his unblinking stare and gracious manner, slips into the role like a favorite cardigan. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
DVD Talk (G. Noel Gross)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Chauncey Mabe)
Red Dragon restores to Hannibal the dignity of pitiless evil that so terrified and enthralled us in Silence of the Lambs . ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Chauncey Mabe)
San Francisco Examiner (Joe Leydon)
Hopkins' Lecter once again makes an unabashedly amoral and shockingly amusing impact as modern cinema's most sardonically erudite bogeyman. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at San Francisco Examiner (Joe Leydon)
Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
If you grew up with the original, it will remain your favorite for sentimental reasons, but if you come to the new version unbiased, it seems every bit as good. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
Compuserve (Harvey S. Karten)
Lots of action but this predictable Hannibal fails to pick our brains. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Compuserve (Harvey S. Karten)
Entertainment Weekly
A thriller made from a completist's checklist rather than with a cultist's passion. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Entertainment Weekly
Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)
This film puts the series back on track, reigning in the operatic gore of Hannibal and returning to the intense psychology of Silence of the Lambs . ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)
Hollywood.com (--)
Reno Gazette-Journal (Mark Robison)
The movie is flawed but the DVD is stuffed with extras. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Reno Gazette-Journal (Mark Robison)
rec.arts.movies.reviews (Michael J. Gold)
Arizona Daily Star (Phil Villarreal)
Only two words will tell you what you know when deciding to see it: Anthony. Hopkins. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Arizona Daily Star (Phil Villarreal)
Talking Pictures (U.S.) (Tony Toscano)
Red Dragon" never cuts corners. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Talking Pictures (U.S.) (Tony Toscano)
Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
Workmanlike, maybe, but still a film with all the elements that made the other three great, scary times at the movies. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Los Angeles Daily News (Bob Strauss)
sbs.is (Stefan Birgir Stefansson)
Worse than 'Silence of the Lambs' better than 'Hannibal' ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at sbs.is (Stefan Birgir Stefansson)
Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
By staying true to Harris' novel, Red Dragon makes for compelling viewing. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
There are so many reasons people may not care to see Red Dragon, the latest film in the Hannibal Lecter trilogy adapted from Thomas Harris' bestselling series, that it actually amazes me that someone would see the need to make it. Granted, Silence of the ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
St. Paul Pioneer Press (Chris Hewitt (St. Paul))
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) (Linda Cook)
Reeling Reviews (Robin Clifford)
Even though the source material precedes the second Harris novel adaptation, the new film feels like a rehash of Jonathan Demme’s classic work. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Reeling Reviews (Robin Clifford)
Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Red Dragon has been directed by Brett Ratner, he of the Rush Hour movies. If that's a step down from Jonathan Demme and Ridley Scott, it turns out not to be a very big one. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Boston Globe (Ty Burr)
Beach Reporter (Southern California) (Brian J. Arthurs)
...a worthy remake and compelling enough to erase the sour memories left by the bloated and pointless Hannibal . ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Beach Reporter (Southern California) (Brian J. Arthurs)
Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
That Manhunter should remain a better movie than the new version should come as a surprise to no one. And yet, the contest is a lot closer than it would appear at first glance. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)
Through well-thought out writing and a completely pro cast, it achieves a good level of horror and fear of the boogie man. ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Cinema Signals (Jules Brenner)
La Presse, Montréal (--)
BeyondHollywood.com
Christian Spotlight on the Movies
The Hot Button (David Poland)
CultureDose.net (John Beachem)
A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)
BBC Films (Almar Haflidason)
Entertain Your Brain! - Review
The World's Greatest Critic! (J.C. Maçek III)
The Trades (Jim Van Nest)
Criminy Pete's Knee Jerk Spoilers
Reviewguy Online (Sean Chandler)
Pixelsurgeon
Sometimes when I reread what I've written about a movie, I find myself worried that I fall into cliches to describe it. Just like other reviewers who call a film mesmorizing! or disturbing! I find myself falling back on tired phrases to use. It's fitting ...read the complete Red Dragon movie review at Pixelsurgeon
The Monkeyhouse Lounge
ninth symphony films
Popkorn Junkie's Review
THE WEEKLY MOVIE REVIEW
Deseret News, Salt Lake City
DVDwolf (Rob Paul)
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Entertainment Zone Review
CinemaScreen (James Salter)
Gorilla Pants (Melissa Prusi)
txreviews.com (Curtis Edmonds)
Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
MovieEye.com (Gareth Von Kallenbach)
TNMC (Drew "Dr. Strangelove" Morton)
IndependentCritics.com (Jacob Hall)
The Rewind Forums - DVD Reviews
Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)
CultureDose.net (Rachel Gordon)
Home Theater Info (Doug MacLean)
Movie-Vault.com (Scott Spicciati)
DigitallyObsessed! Reviews
The Filmsnobs (James Owen)
Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
DVD Verdict (Mike Pinsky)
FilmHobbit.com - Red Dragon review
allesfilm.com (Markus Steiger)
Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews (Harry Knowles)
filmdeculte.com (Marlène Weil)
Film Monthly (Hank Yuloff)
DVD Net (Jules Faber)
MovieJustice (Alan Pannell)
txreviews.com (Curtis Edmonds)
eye WEEKLY (Ingrid Randoja)
Classic Horror
It's just that Red Dragon is a much simpler version of 1991 film in many ways. It strips away deeper subtext (Clarice Starling's j