First off, I would just like to say that I have not seen the original version of this film. And I'm glad I did not because I would never have thought as highly of this version as I would the original had I done so. I made the mistake of seeing 'Let the Right One In' a few months ago, which solidified my decision on never watching an original before a remake.
With that out of the way, I'd like to say that this version was brilliant. There was never a dull moment. A few squeamish ones... but those were necessary for the development of the characters involved.
We begin with disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) being hired by Christopher Plummer's Henrik Vanger to investigate the murder of his beloved grand-niece Harriet. Harriet mysteriously vanished 40 years ago.
Craig is perfect in his role as a (in my opinion) slightly weak but intelligent and occasionally funny investigator.
Plummer's Vanger, though seems to have the best lines. He gives Blomkvist a who's who of the Vanger family along with their history - which is not pretty. We discover through him that they all live on this same island. None of them really talk to each other. And they all live a stone's throw away from each other. We also discover that they had / have not one, but two Nazis. The discovery should be sobering, but Vanger's matter of fact description of the vulgar men will leave you sniggering. In his own words Blomkvist will discover "the most detestable people... and they're all my family." Plummer is hilarious in a sad, perpetually troubled and broken way, living only to discover what really happened. And he's sure one of his clan is responsible.
Soon Blomkvist realises that he can't actually solve a 40-year old mystery on his own. And so, he is aided by "The girl with the Dragon Tatto" - Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara). Lisbeth is a heartbreakingly damaged soul - one covered with piercings and tattoos. She also happens to be highly intelligent and a computer hacker. She is also a ward of the state. Lisbeth's life is unbearably miserable with what she has to do to get financial support though the money is rightfully hers.
The scenes in this film are brutal and not for the faint-hearted. They are however necessary to show how Lisbeth gets to where she is later in the story. And she does exact her own brutal revenge.
It does feel like there there is a lot of emphasis on rape. Extremely disturbing though it is, I guess the only way to look at it is to go with why it's there - a spotlight on the vulnerable who will not or think they will not be believed. And it does happen.
However, I'll still say it's a brilliant movie aided by the likes of the brilliant Stellan Skarsgard, Joely Richardson, Robin Wright, Geraldine James and Goran Visnjic. You won't see any of it coming! Unless, of course you've read the books and / or seen the original trilogy.
I do have one more petty item that very few will agree on, but I'm going to say it anyway. What on Earth have they done to the superb Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song?!
Still a fantastic movie though...
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