Review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009) by Justin K — 04 Jan 2012

Seen American version: Check.

Seen the original Swedish version: Check.

Read the book by Stieg Larson: Not yet. But soon.

This movie was very well done and much like the American version I loved it.

Great characters as well as the best actors to portray them. Story, direction, cinematography, locations. All were perfect.

Since there are too many things to talk about in regards to the differences between the two film versions so I will give the abridged summary.

Both movies are not the same shot for shot and word for word. I wouldn't be surprised if the Swedish version is closer to the book but the American version (not only had a better budget) but also seems close to the book too but it just didn't have certian information and scenes that were in the Swedish version. Because of the budget differences and direction and script adaptations both versions seem to both gain and loose somethings. Not just scenes and lines, and character, but the feeling and look of the film.

I would go into further detail but I do not want to give away vital plot points. Sorry.

All in all, both films apart in their own rights are perfect films. Put side by side one seems to wish there was a version that has what both films had.

I guess that would be the novel by the unfortunately late Stieg Larson.