***I'm going to split this review up into two parts. The first will be a straight review of this film. The second will be a comparison between the American version and the Swedish film.***
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, directed by David Fincher and staring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer and Stellan Skarsgard is the film adaptation of the world wide best selling book trilogy by Stieg Larsson. If you missed the Swedish films, this movie is worth seeing, it's both sexually charged and competently acted, dark and twisted and for what it lacks in material it makes up for in visually stunning craftsmanship.
Plot:
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first film in Columbia Pictures' three-picture adaptation of Stieg Larsson's literary blockbuster The Millennium Trilogy. Directed by David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, the film is based on the first novel in the trilogy, which altogether have sold 50 million copies in 46 countries and become a worldwide phenomenon.
The whole draw of these films is its gritty underground feel. While Fincher's version of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo does tap into the underground vibe, you're left a little short of the mark. Granted, it doesn't miss the mark by much but it never really takes it further than a nasty rape scene here and some bed play there. Would have liked to see a bit more darkness but that being said this movie is rated R and for a very good reason. It's not a movie for kids and some adults might not like it either. But aside from rape and bad hygiene the movie as a whole is definitely worth a watch. It's eye candy for those that love a cinematic experience.
Daniel Craig was tasked with the job of becoming Mikael Blomkvist, the Swedish reporter who's your average Joe when it comes to looks but has got the investigative nose which rivals a bloodhound. Sorry but average Joe he is NOT in the looks department, not his fault but those baby blue eyes kinda suck you right in. *sigh* Moving on...crafty and witty character which I felt Daniel does a decent job conveying those aspects the character. Daniel did the best he could within his bag of acting repertoire. Was he great in this movie? No, but he did well considering what he was working with. Leading lady Rooney Mara plays the gothic tech genius Lisbeth Salander, and in my opinion she may just become a new shinning star for Hollywood. On her own she carried this movie much further than I had expected.
Major product placement was prominent during the film (Apple and McDonald's being at the forefront) which only added to the corporate feel of the film. I personally could have done without those and felt like it took away from the movie's atmosphere. Overall the film taps into family secrets that would make a Borgia blush, including incest and psychopaths just to name a few. Unfortunately the movie ends up semi-flawed and turned horribly too romantic by the ending but it's strangely somewhat appealing.
The film doesn't come close to the original but it's not a complete waste of time either, you do find enough substance to walk away with.
Getting 3 and 1/2 Sheep
KD
***Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) Swedish version. Comparison***
Directed by Niels Arden Oplev and staring Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace. Compared to the US remake this film blows the remake utterly out of the water; undeniably one of the best films I've ever seen. It's a chilling detective tale done completely right and earns the right to be called a thrilling piece of drama. Set in the beautiful Scandinavian landscape this movie not only out-acts the 2011 film but is far more visually appealing as well. Noomi really breaths life into the character of Lisbeth, making her one not to be messed with, and while our leading man Michael may not have the looks of Craig he does a far better job at breathing life into the character.
This version of the film is far more than just good guys vs. bad guys, it's a rich story told with sincerity. While I understand the need for the Hollywood giant to tap into this series, I wish it would have just been left alone. Nothing you don't already see in the original is shown in the remake and the remake doesn't tell it any better. That may be debatable with others but I'll let you be the judge.
This version of the film is far more than just good guys vs. bad guys, it's a rich story told with sincerity. While I understand the need for the Hollywood giant to tap into this series, I wish it would have just been left alone. Nothing you don't already see in the original is shown in the remake and the remake doesn't tell it any better. That may be debatable with others but I'll let you be the judge.
I'll say this, if you've yet to see the Swedish version you won't be disappointed. If you have seen the Swedish ones then prepare for a mangled version of a classically told mystery-thriller. I won't goes as far as to say it was "raped by Hollywood" but it was definitely taken on a date and roughly felt up by the end.
KD