Review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) by Dc E — 07 Feb 2012

Sub-titles and dubbing annoy the holy crap out of me, but I will put up with them for a good movie. I am happy to report that this movie was worth the annoyance.

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" is about a magazine writer who is set to go to prison for libel in six months. He is contacted by a wealthy socialite to investigate the disappearance of Harriet Vanger forty years ago. Since he has nothing to lose (and since the man offers information that can clear his name), he accepts. Along the way, he comes across a disturbed but brilliant computer hacker who helps him with the case.

The character of Lisbeth Salander easily carries the film. Not that the rest of the movie was bad, but she is the sort of character that vastly improves the quality of a film simply by being on the screen. She is independent, yet deep down needy. Strong, yet internally vulnerable. The paradox is pulled off to perfection.

The ending is well done, and sets up the next two films perfectly. They don't try too hard to force a twist into the movie, even though the story begs for it. You won't figure out what is going on exactly, but the ending is well thought out and surprises you.

10 Scale Rating: 8.0 ...