Three star

RED Dragon is the prequel to Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal and tells the story of FBI agent Will Graham's battle to catch The Tooth Fairy, a psychotic killer who preys on families.

Although it does not have the same gore factor as its predecessors, Red Dragon is still a chilling venture into the mind of the violently insane.

Anthony Hopkins is in fine form as ever as the doyen of all cannibals, Dr Hannibal Lecter, and Ralph Fiennes is superb as the completely loony Francis Dolarhyde, AKA, The Tooth Fairy.

Edward Norton plays Agent Graham and although his acting is faultless he just does not seem right in the part.

He seems more like a nervous academic than a clued-up detective with a sixth sense for the workings of a serial killer's mind.

Red Dragon is a remake of Manhunter and the portrayal of Graham in the original is far more convincing. Fans of the film Hannibal may be disappointed by the lack of horror and brutality in Red Dragon - there is some stabbing and gun shots but very little else.

Anyone who witnessed Ray Liotta eating a fried section of his own brain in the second of the Lecter films may compare Red Dragon to a Sunday stroll through the park.

But it is a fascinating watch and holds your attention to the end.

HC