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Copyright |
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©2005 Jason Cross
All Rights Reserved
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 Saturday, October 5, 2002 |
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It's been a movie weekend, seeing both Red Dragon and The Tuxedo over two days, so here are my thoughts for the faithful few, starting with Red Dragon.
A prequal to Silence of the Lambs, Red Dragon features Edward Norton as Agent Will something or other, giving a glimpse of how Hannibal Lecter was first caught and then moving on to the main story revolving around a killer dubbed "The Tooth Fairy" by the media but calling himself the "Red Dragon" based on the Blake painting.
As a side-note, there is a movie coming out in the future with a monster called the Tooth Fairy. Anyway...
Ralph Fiennes plays the Tooth Fairy/Red Dragon as a much conflicted man, his serial killer side in conflict with his humanity as he meets and falls in love with a blind woman played by Emily Watson. I really liked her character as the subplot added some depth to what could have been a somewhat generic though scary character.
As another side note, I can't help but think of Schindler's List when I see Fiennes - The Red Dragon is scary, but Amon Goeth is scarier...
Hannibal Lecter plays a role in the film as he simultaneously assists and attacks Agent Will Graham (thank you Internet Movie Database!) This time Lecter is played with much more seething rage, as he is newly captured by a man whom he considers much inferior (the indignity!). He's not the main bad guy in the movie, but he is very much the antagonist.
My only chief complaint lies with the ending, which had it stopped one major plot point earlier would have made the movie feel somewhat unique, though from what I hear when the book Red Dragon came out (along with the original film version Manhunter), that which seems cliched in this movie was actually fresh. The genre was set and now that which made it unique feels tired all this time later.
Final plus - Mary Louise Parker. Love her on The West Wing, so it's great to see her elsewhere.
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The Tuxedo is not a BAAAAD movie, but it's not a good one. It's tiring, unfunny, and leaves you with a "Why?! Why was this movie made?!" feeling. Jennifer Love Hewitt just isn't that good and Jackie Chan feels completely wasted with much of his trademark action reduced to wires, special effects and fast forwards in this movie. Unless you are bored, have a free pass, AND have seen the other movies playing near you, I wouldn't recommend it.
Can't wait for Shanghai Knights, though! |
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