Review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) by Rainer K — 15 Apr 2012

It's obvious to compare Fincher's US version of the Stieg Larsson novel with the original Swedish version. They are quite similar (I've seen remakes or adaptations that differ way more) but also different in their approach, focus and story elements (some are not even mentioned in the other version - I can't judge which is more accurate but I've heard they're both doing quite well).

Fincher made an intense thriller - Oplev had a more classic mystery crime approach in mind. Although I think the US version is superior I also loved the Swedish film. Both Lisbeths are mindblowing - I found Rooney Mara a tiny bit better but Rapace was awesome too (a matter of personal taste probably) and I must congratulate Fincher for his casting choices - his characters share uncanny resemblance with the originals.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a suspenseful mystery with some thriller elements. I love such films especially if they're that well made (incl. acting, production values and directing). The set-up is very clever and gives you more hints than the American version (maybe I need to rewatch it though - but some things were quite obvious - I think I'd have gotten them even when I'd have seen this one first). It needs to as it not relies so heavily on its pace and thrills.

The epiloque, which dragged along in the English remake is also more elegant here - still a bit too long though (ok, maybe the source material is to blame for it but screenwriters usually don't have much scruple to not include such filling material).