OK, I have read all three books (twice), and I've seen all three Swedish films. And I liked them. I was disturbed (I think that's the best word) to hear that Hollywood was remaking the movies. I was pretty certain Hollywood would fuck this up. Then I heard David Fincher (Social Network) was directing the first film. That was a game changer. Fincher is a very assured and very good director.
And he did a great job. This movie is better than the first Swedish film. Here are a couple of simple reasons: Rooney Mara is a better fit for the role than Noomi Rapace. Noomi was awesome, but she doesn't look like a 16 year old, which is part of Lisbeth's mystique. Since Rooney's acting is fantastic, she wins the contest easily in physicality and intensity.
Daniel Craig is the better Mikael. I am astounded by this guy. He is still gorgeous, and nobody wears clothes like he does, but he can act. He doesn't feel like Bond playing a reporter. His Mikael bumbles, falls, is confused, scared and shocked. He is not cocky and bold, but human and capable of self-awareness. He's a great actor and so easy on the eyes.
Stellan Skarsgård is a far superior Martin. You have to see it. He is a character rather than a cardboard villain. It's interesting.
And then we get to Fincher, where the real difference lies. He makes a slick movie. He concentrates more on Lisbeth than on Mikael, which is what we all want. He loses some details, but let's face facts - we all know this story. We don't need details anymore. Fincher can really build tension - very different from the Swedish film. And he brought Trent Reznor in for the music. Reznor won an Oscar for Social Network, and he does a great job here. He adds to the tension, definitely.
The big problem with this movie? We have a better Lisbeth, a tighter, more suspenseful film - what more do we need? Something fresh. We all know this story. It's old ground, and hard to really make an impression. This feels more like watching an old favorite than seeing something new.
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