Film Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Swedish Version)

Director: Niels Arden Oplev

Steig Larsson's phenomenal trilogy originally got converted to the big screen in it's native Swedish and it's success has meant that the whole trilogy has now been filmed and released. Much of the success of this film was believed to be the reason that the American remake was unsuccessful, with many fans refusing to see it saying it was needless with the Swedish version being available. It certainly looks like the American franchise of the books is dead in the water now.

The story is obviously similar to the books but obviously certain aspects were included into this that weren't in the American version. This film feels a lot darker and is filmed in a less pristine manner giving it a slightly murky quality which matches the tone. Some of the scenes feel more chilling when watched and leave you with a cold feeling.

Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander

The directing is superb throughout by Niels Arden Oplev, he creates tense set-pieces that leave you fascinated whilst still maintaining the ability to thrill you when the action happens. The acting was something that received the most praise in the film, Noomi Rapace certainly looks better in the Lisbeth Salander role but I honestly think Rooney Mara was the better actress whilst for Mikael Blomqvist it was vice versa, Daniel Craig looked more like the Blomqvist I had in my head but Michael Nyqvist is certainly more convincing.

Fans of the millenium trilogy would do well to see the film as well as the American remake and draw your own conclusions, they both have their positives and negatives when they are compared. I'm intrigued to see how they have filmed some portions of the second and third book.

3/4 darker take on the books but wasn't blown away by the acting