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Directed by |
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Starring |
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Specs |
- Widescreen 2.35:1
- 16:9 Enhanced
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Languages |
- English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
- Hungarian: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
- English: DTS 5.1 Surround
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Subtitles |
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Extras |
- Additional footage
- Deleted scenes
- Teaser trailer
- Theatrical trailer
- Audio commentary
- Featurette
- Behind the scenes footage
- 2 DVD-ROM features
- Interviews
- Storyboards
- Documentaries
- Web access
- Outtakes
- Gag reel
- Short film
- Video commentary
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Red Dragon |
Universal/Universal .
R4 . COLOR . 119 mins .
R . PAL |
Feature |
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Contract |
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As a long time admirer of author Thomas Harris’s work, I was apprehensive as to how his finest book (in my opinion) in the trilogy of Dr Hannibal Lecter books would be handled onscreen. To further fuel these fears I was horrified to learn the director would be none other than Brett Ratner, whose last film, Rush Hour 2, was so far removed from this genre I couldn’t imagine how he could make the leap. I should never have worried - Ratner takes us into the mind of the sinister Francis Dollarhyde (played magnificently by Ralph Fiennes), like one leads a child into a candy store. Throw in the delightfully grisly Lecter (Anthony Hopkins, mired firmly within the notorious cannibal’s role), a sick and tired ex-FBI Agent Will Graham (Edward Norton in a piece of inspired casting) and you have yourself the makings of a grand old film. Now take Emily Watson (playing a blind woman to perfection) and Philip Seymour Hoffman as the greasy reporter Freddie Lounds and you got yerself cinema gold. Many will tell you that the original version of this film, entitled Manhunter (and also available on DVD), is the better of the two, but personally, I disagree. In the end it all comes down to personal choice, but having viewed Manhunter recently, it fails where so many points in Ratner’s vision work. And, of course, everything hinges on Lecter. For the majority of us, Lecter is Anthony Hopkins. Without question. (Hopkins does not appear as Lecter in Manhunter). With this in mind it makes the film fit better into that snug little spot inside your head that you never know you have until it gets used (or Lecter digs it out, a la Hannibal). After capturing Lecter and nearly dying in the process, Graham has retired, but crafty old Jack Crawford (Harvey Keitel) sweet talks him into just one more manhunt. A killer known as The Tooth Fairy is chopping up families and after figuring he doesn’t know enough, Graham must confront Lecter for information. Norton plays against Hopkins without error in their numerous discussions about the case, while all along Lecter is secretly communicating with the sadistic killer and instructing him on how to reach Graham’s family. The magnificent cast of proven actors make for just on two hours of engrossing chills that will keep you hanging on until the final explosive conclusion.
Video |
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Visuals are stunning in this picture, and the DVD maintains that quality of image throughout. In a film with so many visual effects (both visible and invisible), it is important that none are overlooked in value to the completed film and this has been strictly observed here. As some of the extra features will attest, even the simplest digital shots have been lovingly tweaked to make them juuuust right. And it shows. The aspect ratio of 2.35:1 (anamorphically enhanced) gives us everything Ratner wanted us to see with nothing left out. The DVD also includes a 4:3 format, which means there's something for everyone. There's occasional shimmer in parts, but it’s negligible. I wouldn’t ordinarily mention it, but I fear it's sounding like I’m gushing over this film and its bonus features, so I had to put in somethin' bad!
Audio |
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Fully flexed 5.1 Surround and 5.1 DTS mixes make every crackle of fire, every gunshot and every wet thunk come into your living room, wrap its arms around you and hold you close. The musical score is excellent and comes with the fabulous Danny Elfman giving us a musical commentary on his work in the film, but this has its pitfall - it’s just him for the whole two hours and he doesn’t find a lot to talk about. Large empty grabs of silence while the sound-reduced film rolls on and on, aren’t really that interesting. The same information could have been imparted in a 20-minute interview on the bonus disc. Generally speaking, though, the sound here is awesome.
Extras |
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Contract |
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Overall |
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This is an immense collection for a two-disc set. It carries itself well with the other DVDs in the trilogy, and comes a very close second to Silence, with Hannibal bringing up a late, late third. I wouldn’t be surprised if they bring them out as a set, but until then, this DVD will keep you busy with a wealth of factual info on the production and a fantastic film to watch again and again. Eat it up!
LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=2744
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And I quote... |
"Red Dragon carries itself well with the other DVDs in the Lecter stable, and is but a knife's edge from Silence of the Lambs." - Jules Faber |
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Review Equipment |
- DVD Player:
Nintaus DVD-N9901
- TV:
Sony 51cm
- Receiver:
Diamond
- Speakers:
Diamond
- Surrounds:
No Name
- Audio Cables:
Standard Optical
- Video Cables:
Standard Component RCA
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