As a fan of the Stieg Larsson 'Millennium' series of books, I was apprehensive of the books being brought to the big screen. Especially as all 3 have already been made into movies in Larsson's native Swedish tongue.
They have proved to be a huge critical and commercial success worldwide in spite of the films being subtitled.
However, when David Fincher was appointed Director I was far less worried. Fincher is one of, if not the most innovative and ground breaking filmmakers of today, responsible for such classics as Seven, Fight Club, Zodiac and The Social Network.
Set in modern day Sweden the action takes place between Stockholm and the northerly remote town of Heldsted.
Daniel Craig plays Mikael Blomkvist, a successful journalist who's career is in turmoil when he fails to win a high profile libel case against suspected fraudster Hans Erik Wennerstrom.
The media are on his case, and his company - local monthly paper sheet 'Millennium' looks doomed due to the big monetary loss suffered by the court case.
Millionaire and major Swedish business tycoon Henry Vagner (Christopher Plummer) sees something in Blomkvist and reckons they could both use each other. Vagner needs Blomkvist's journalistic and investigatory talents to solve the disappearance 40 years ago of his niece Harriet and help him complete his memoirs.
In return Vagner will not only pay him for his services but will also provide him with damning evidence against Wennerstrom that may help Blomkvist expose his dodgy dealings and restore Blomkvist's public and professional reputation.
Blomkvist is initially reluctant to do so but eventually decides to up sticks to Heldsted and begin his investigations.
Meanwhile back in Stockholm Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) is experiencing her own difficulties. Her life is a mess, no family to speak of, living squalidly and under government orders to report regularly to a guardian due to her former crimes of theft and violence.
What she does have in her favour is that she is highly intelligent and a genius computer hacker. The security company that Lisbeth does illegal hacking work for is the same company that sourced Blomkvist for Vagner and this is where their connection lies.
As Blomkvist delves into the vast archives of The Vagner enterprise, there are several cans of worms opened and he quickly realises that he needs some assistance with his research.
Lisbeth is called in as the ideal candidate due to the research necessary being dark, dangerous and dirty.
All the things Lisbeth thrives on and excels in.
She is relieved to get out of Stockholm as her guardian who she sees as a father figure has had a stroke and she has been assigned a new guardian who is sinister to say the least.
Also, she sees something interesting and enigmatic about Blomkvist and relishes her new adventure.
Like the book the first part of the film is complex whilst being interesting and captivating.
The second part of the movie heats up with plenty of action and ultimately tries to tie up all the outstanding questions posed to the viewer in the initial parts of the film.
At no time are there any lapses and the director ensures that we are treated to stunning winter scenery and clever thought out action sequences.
I have to mention the opening titles sequence as the graphics and music are fantastically original and clever - exactly what you'd expect from a Fincher directed film.
Both Craig and newcomer Mara are excellent as the main characters and have been perfectly cast.
Thankfully there are no American actors trying to speak with a Swedish dialect - with the exception of Robin Wright who gets away with it.
Instead, there are many well known British actors like Joely Richardson, Steven Berkoff and the always brilliant Christopher Plummer who fit the scene suitably.
Guys should not let the title of the film put them off from seeing this movie as it's not a girlie movie by any stretch of the imagination. In fact it's quite the opposite, with some harrowing scenes that are difficult to watch and and a few jumps and scares along the way.
It's rare that a film is as good as the book but this succeeds on all levels.
Score: 9/10
i thought this was a fantastic movie altho 'harrowing' scenes is putting it likely, i coudnt watch these particular scenes and almost left the cinema, i didnt think that they were necessary for the film. i wasnt expecting it either as i hadnt read any of the books. i enjoyed the second half of the film more and i agree the main characters were excellent. i think i will read the next two books!
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