Red Dragon: Collector's Edition (2002)

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton
Director: Brett Ratner

Rating: R

Studio: Universal

Review Posted: 4.08.03

Spoilers: None

Reviewed by John Teves

This prequel to the horrific thriller The Silence of the Lambs stars Ed Norton as former FBI agent Will Graham (Norton), who was once nearly killed by Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter (Hopkins). Graham must face the imprisoned killer again when he asks Lecter for help in tracking down a new serial killer, Francis Dolarhyde (Ralph Fiennes). The star-studded cast also includes Emily Watson, Harvey Keitel, Mary-Louise Parker and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

>Read Harvey S. Karten's Film Review!

RED DRAGON appears in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 on this single-sided, dual-layered DVD; the image has been enhanced for 16X9 televisions. The film looked absolutely brilliant. Sharpness was persistently positive. The transfer was accurate and detail, and even wider shots came across as well defined. I detected very little softness during the film, as the movie seemed crisp at all times.

There were no signs of jagged edges or edge enhancement for that fact; no signs of speckles, streaks, or scratch’s in the video transfer. The color palette was stunning, looking accurate and tidy. Ultimately everything about RED DRAGON’s video transfer is first rate; this is truly a pristine print with beautiful color reproduction.

RED DRAGON is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Just as impressive as the video transfer, the track was admirable. While the film isn't really full of action, the surrounds are almost relentlessly engaged, even for subtle discrete effect’s; which are quite effective. The film also uses lots cheap shock stingers to make us jump but despite these loud blasts of score, the mix is perfectly balanced and no dialogue is lost in the midst of the clamor. In the end, RED DRAGON was truly a dynamic track.

- The Criminal Profile of Hannibal Lector: Renowned Profiler John Douglas' Theories on How Hannibal Lector and Real Serial Killers are Profiled
- The Life History of Hannibal Lector: A Timeline From Childhood to Present Day
- Hannibal Lector's FBI Case File
- Anthony Hopkins As Hannibal Lector
- Commentary By Director Brett Ratner and Writer Ted Tally
- Deleted Scenes
- DVD-ROM Features

Red Dragon is such an involving film. This is a great DVD release; there is also a director’s cut available as well, in that respect, unless you must have the additional 39-minute Director's Journey documentary then I suggest paying an additional $8.00 to the original price tag and purchasing the Director’s Cut.

On the other hand, if that’s not a concern then the widescreen version of the film will do just fine. RED DRAGON looks fantastic, sounds fantastic and makes for a fantastic film for the weekend – Highly Recommended!

Film Rating: 4 out of 4

Review originally appeared on DVDFreak.net

DVD REVIEWS BY JOHN TEVES:

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- Army of Darkness: Boomstick Edition

- Blue Crush

- Bourne Identity

- Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

- Empire

- Eye See You

- Far From Heaven

- Ghost Ship

- I Spy

- Maid in Manhattan

- One Hour Photo

- The Ring

- Road To Perdition

- Signs: Vista Series

- Swimfan

- The Truth About Charlie

- The Tuxedo

- White Oleander

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