Review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) by Sagaciousfrank . — 08 Oct 2016

In my humble opinion, this is a poorer version of the superior and original Swedish adaptation. Is the Swedish version more faithful to the source material of the book? I cannot say because I haven't read it. But what I can tell you is that the Swedish version is simply a better told/paced, engaging, and well rounded story with (lead) characters whom you can get to know, like, and sympathise with.

I found this very difficult with Fincher's take, in which the story and characters are kept at arms length from the audience. Lisbeth is also much colder and withdrawn, and although nobody can possibly condone the terrible things that she has had to endure in her troubled past, I found little in her to sympathise with. Likewise, Daniel Craig's Mickael is more of a husk and defeated man, and unlike the Swedish version, I felt no real bond or connection between the two main leads in both the solving of the crime/mystery with which they were presented, and the personal emotional connection which they flirt with while trying to crack the case.

Due largely to Lisbeth's abusive past, the audience can accept that such a person would naturally be cautious and keep their cards close to their chest. But in the Swedish version this accomplished whilst also showing us glimpses of warmth, emotion, and humanity, whereas Fincher decides to keep Lisbeth more or less catatonic. I cannot possibly get on board with a character like that, even I do regret hearing about her abusive past.

To summarise, buy and watch the far superior Swedish version. 3/5.