For those readers who are expecting “Red Dragon” to detail Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s transition from noted psychologist to murderous cannibal, you won’t find what you are looking for. What you will find is a film that lacks the shocking violence of last year’s “Hannibal”, but has dark shadows and suspensful music in all the right places.

Director Brett Ratner (the “Rush Hour” movies) takes charge of the third film in the Hannibal Lecter series, demonstrating a clear understanding of what makes an estimable scary movie. The dramatic and eerie music by composer Danny Elfman (“Spider-Man” and “Batman”), combined with a story about cannibals and crazed murderers makes for heart-stopping moments and a thorough thrill.

The prequel begins with Anthony Hopkins (“Hannibal” and “Silence of the Lambs”) returning as Dr. Lecter, feeding his unassuming guests the remains of a missing member of the Boston philharmonic. Edward Norton (“Primal Fear” and “American History X”) is young and talented detective Will Graham, who discovers Lecter’s secret and narrowly escapes with his life. The traumatic episode sends Graham into an early retirement in Florida with his wife and son. Being revealed as the Chesapeake ripper whom Graham was hunting, Dr. Lecter gets sent to prison and becomes the patient of Dr. Chilton, played by Anthony Heald (TV’s “Boston Public), who reprises the role from “The Silence of the Lambs.”

A few years later, a methodical murderer who attacks in the night and strikes families asleep in their beds sends Jack Crawford (Harvey Keitel of “U-571” and “The Piano”) to Florida in search of Graham’s help. Graham has an uncanny and disturbing ability to think like a killer, which Crawford is certain will help him nab the suspect. At this point, the movie becomes much like “Silence.” Graham, understandably fearful of Dr. Lecter, must nonetheless confront the doctor and ask his help in psychologically profiling their killer, dubbed “The Tooth Fairy.”

Hopkins, demonstrating yet again why no one else could play the role as well, easily slips into character. Though the dialogue does not do justice to the role of Dr. Lecter, Hopkins does not disappoint, delivering lines with his trademark cryptic smile. Graham, as played by Norton, is supposed to be terrified of Dr. Lecter, but I wasn’t convinced. I’m not sure if it was the dialogue or Norton’s performance, or both, as he comes off frank and unassuming in scenes with Hopkins, as though the experience is unpleasant but not utterly terrifying.

Ralph Fiennes (“Schindlers List”) deliciously plays Francis Dolarhyde, the killer who is murdering families as part of his transition into the mythological creature, “Red Dragon.” Our killer even has a love interest, played by a game Emily Watson (“Angela’s Ashes”). Her blind photo-lab technician character is meant to show us that Dolarhyde is still somewhat human, but I found the whole thing to be very entertainingly freaky.

Nothing in the film is over done, nor is anything is too difficult to understand. Although it doesn’t give a detailed account of Hannibal’s rise to infamy, you will still be jumping out of your seat from the carefully constructed scenes of blood (what little of it there is), explosions and suspense that make “Red Dragon” a great film to watch.