For many, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO is the most highly anticipated film of the holiday season…
Others—especially those who read the book or saw the original, subtitled foreign version—are worried that director David Fincher’s americanization of Stieg Larsson’s powerful thriller won’t translate well in Hollywood’s hands.
Well, I’ve got good news and bad news.
Come to think of it, it’s all good news. Finche’s version of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO delivers—and then some. And for the record I’ve never seen the original, but friends who’ve seen both Swedish and American versions tell me that Mr. Fincher’s new film has far exceeded their expectations.
Another plus: You’re not bothered with subtitles.
TGWTDT is an extremely intense motion picture and marks the first chapter in Larsson’s mystery thriller millennium trilogy. Here investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) is hired by a wealthy Swedish patriarch to delve into his family’s mysterious past. To find out what happened to his niece who disappeared 40 years ago.
But after digging deep into the family’s secrets, financial records and the personal histories of the players involved, Craig now finds himself in need of assistanc
e.
Enter brilliant recluse Lisbeth Salander, played to perfection by Rooney Mara, who’s already been honored with a Golden Globe BEST ACTRESS nomination for her powerful and eccentric performance as the girl with the dragon tattoo.
No need to go deeper in detail here except to forewarn you that two major scenes in this film are very hard to watch. One is the story’s key rape scene which is probably unlike any you’ve ever experienced in a major motion picture.
Did it HAVE to be that brutal?
Probably, because it sets up an obscenely intense revenge sequence guaranteed to make you squirm.
All that in 2-1/2 hours of Swedish winter settings that only add shivering coldness to the proceedings.
The original, of course, marked the first chapter of the trilogy. Will Fincher and/or Sony’s Columbia Pictures’ green light stories # 2 and # 3?
That’ll probably depend on how well this one performs at boxoffices worldwide. But based on what I experienced at the film’s recent screening, I predict big returns for this masterfully crafted super thriller.
4 out of 5 intense fingers pointing to THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES Friday mornings at 6:40 a.m. on NewsRadio KMBZ Am & Fm and at 8:20 a.m. on 1660-RADIO BACH. Also anytime on time-Warner Cable’s K.C. ON DEMAND, Channel 411.
Great Review Jack
Boy did that make want to see this film or what…great.
Yep
Brilliant! Much better than the original. Rooney Mara plays the role to PERFECTION and I might add bears some resemblance to former Lone Star, KY and 98.9 DJ-Ette Tracy Pulliam aka Tracy Wylde.
I don’t thing Craig, Glazer not Daniel, will see it as a disturbing rape scene as much as some first date light bondage. N0 doesn’t mean N0 if you can’t speak does it?
Off the subject but the trailer for Iron Lady is off the charts! Meryl Streep is THE SHIT. Distorted politics aside she ROCKS! WOW!
Saw It Late Today, Very Good
Good recommend Jack. Great cast, well done. A bit slow early on and a little hard to follow if you don’t know the story…I see why this was tough to get made, but Daniel Craig pulled it off, love the 50 plus movie star men banging the 25 year old…Mara did a ton for girls thinking its cool to bang girls…that as many of you may not know is up huge these days, almost all young girls will have sex with another girl now, and about 1/3 prefer women, damn…this moive only promotes that, though in the end the 25 year old hottie seemed sold on D Craig…007….I also like it cause its an A adult film which are on the rise, and helps me, gald to see Hollywood return to “real movies”….thank God….overall a B+ or A-….good one.