The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Review (Minor Spoilers)

Just plain sexy

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

When I heard about this remake I thought to myself "You bloody Americans." The swedish version was a masterpiece that I thought needed no remake. Just like "Let The Right One In" it wasn't made to long ago, so an update is believed to be spurious. "Let Me In" proved that statement wrong, paving the way for foreign films to be remade for the American public. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is an adaption of an adaption. The book is always better but I think David Fincher may have a winner here. It's not better than the swedish version but it's not worse either. I didn't read the book so I don't know how far both films strayed away from it but I can say that both films stand on their own two feet. The American version is just as good as the other.

STORY

Mikeal, played by Daniel Craig, has ruined his professional life. He's a jouranlist who was convicted of libel. This destroys his magazine company that he owned and ran. He had no choice but to take another job as a freelance journalist. His duty is to write a biography of Henrik Vanger, played by Christopher Plummer. This only was a coverup because Henrik wants him to find out the truth about his missing niece. She was believed to be kidnapped or murdered by a man 40 years ago and he wants to end his pain by finding out what happened to her. Mikeal doesn't have much time to find the truth because Henrik is close to death.

Creepy as hell

He runs into a troubled girl named Lisbeth, played by Rooney Mara. She is a hacker and private researcher with a dreadful past. She lost her guardian due to medical problems and now has to deal with a man who plays deadly games with her. He wants more from her than she wants to give him but because he is in control of her life he thinks he can control her. He will learn never to mess with a girl who has a dragon tattoo.

Just fucking awesome

Together they learn that the past has alot to offer and everything wasn't all peachy with Henrik's family. Things do get a little confusing when the main storyline picks up again but everything comes to light when the secrets are revealed. I won't give away anymore spoilers other than the story takes you to dark places that may make your skin crawl. It tells a dark tale that can connect with almost any audience. This film is scary beautiful.

Scary Beautiful

ACTING

The acting for this film is dark and gloomy. The characters are all screwed up and the actors play their emotions to the bone. It just wasn't how they spoke but their factual expressions as well. You could see the pain in their eyes from beginning to end. The chemistry is breathtaking and proves that the casting director and David Fincher made the right decisions. You won't be disappointed with their performances.

What happened here?

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The effects here are great. The film relies on the setting and pace to give you chills and jumps. The scenery is depressing and I could feel the cold run down my spine. The movie presents itself as if you are watching someone's life on the big screen. The distrubing images may leave a few of you ready to go to the bathroom.

Sexy

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The film was written by Steven Zaillian and directed by David Fincher. Steven is able to write some intense scenes that will leave you on the edge of your seat. This includes the dialog. The character development is continued throughout the story which doesn't leave you bored. David has made some pretty dark films and this one is no different. It carries the same feel as Panic Room in some scenes which is a good thing. David knows how to ensue tensions of the characters, in tight situations, for a big surprise. It's a great movie by a great director.

THE END

It's a movie that needs to be seen in a dark lit theater. You won't be disappointed. It's worth every penny. The only drawback is that it may run to long for some. It doesn't feel like it if that helps but if you can sit through any Lord Of The Rings movie then this shouldn't be a problem. Besides Rooney Mara looks beautiful throughout, disturbingly beautiful but still a looker.

Or maybe not

OVERALL


STORY 8 out of 10
ACTING 8 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 8 out of 10
WRITING 8 out of 10
DIRECTING 8 out of 10


OVERALL SCORE 8 out of 10 (MUST SEE)