Review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) by Jonny B — 02 Jun 2012

Niels Arden Oplev's take on Steig Larsson's first of a trilogy of books is thoroughly respectable and entertaining; it isn't a 'Bourne' style thriller but it's still an acceptable one.

Noomi Rapace is one of the cult reasons to the films success. She portrays misunderstood young adult Lisbeth Salander so believably and emotionally that it left me feeling something for the character as the film duration plodded on. It shows a fine example to all other films that good characterisation is a marker to success in the film industry, stunningly crafted effects with card board cut outs are no substitute!

Rapace bonds well with co-star Michael Nyquvist who stars as Mikael Bloomkvist; it is like Bonny and Clyde! Nyquvist may not fulfill his role to as higher ability as Rapace, but nevertheless delivers reasonably well.

The pair as bonded together after he is framed for a crime he didn't commit. He is sent on a mission to locate the killer of a man's daughter who was thought to be murdered 40 years ago and Lisbeth's obsession with him eventually leads to their partnership.

The movie has some fabulous landscapes and scenery during the slower areas of the film which is a nice touch.

On a negative note, the abuse Lisbeth suffers in the first half of the film from Nils Bjurman (Peter Andersson) is revolting at the very least; it could have been portrayed in a milder fashion to say the least! However, the graphical content of these scenes only extended the empathy we shared for Rapace in her leading role.

In conclusion, it may not be the greatest thriller of all time but The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo entails some great chemistry, impressive acting and lots of intelligence. All in all, it just about scrapes over the borderlines of an excellent watch.