David Fincher’s adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an must watch thrilling movie. Fincher has produced a movie that comes much closer to the hardcore edge of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy than the original Swedish production. Fincher has taken liberties with the story but they advance the story just as well as Larssons’ original narrative. Without revealing the ending, I was a little disappointed with Fincher’s biggest deviation from the novel. With that said I did find the ultimate ending of the film to be much more satisfying than the Swedish movie.
Rooney Mara does a remarkable job of presenting Lisbeth Salander, making her a damaged yet very sympathetic character. Daniel Craig also does a great job of not getting in her way. Viewers who are used to Craig the action star will see him wisely step back and allow Mara to be the catalyst of action throughout the movie.
The opening credits, to me, were quite enjoyable. I don’t know if it is the presence of Daniel Craig but the credits remind me of the highly stylized opening credits of the James Bond franchise. With Trent Reznor and Karen O’s (better than the original) cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” the opening credits prepare the viewer for the coming thrill ride.
I highly recommend The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for readers of the novels as well as newcomers to the series.
4.5/5
Roast Beef Vampire 