Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander offers an engrossing and alluring character. But does she match the Swedish version of the pop culture gothic avenging hacker. In my opinion, no! She's missing the unspoiled freshness of the original character (Noomi Rapace). The Rooney Mara look (piercing, etc) wasn't as convincing. I left the theater only seeing Noomi.

If you have read the very popular book and seen the Swedish version you might be a bit disappointed, but satisfied that you generally understand a confusing plot. There's not much added by director David Fincher
You immediately become accustomed with the characters.

Both films are about equal in running time, but the newer one seems too long.


It's reported that Fincher didn't see the Swedish version, so I guest his version can't be called a true remake. The only major difference I saw was with the last 15 minutes of the film, which follows the novel.


However, I must admit I was very impressed with technical visual look, with excellent acting. But...why was it necessary.


B+

Jack

Haven't seen the new version. The original is great. Though my wife commented the movie left quite a bit out from the book. My wife read the first two books and loved both. The second in the series "The Girl Who Played with Fire" is as good as the first. I think either Stieg Larsson died before finishing The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest or was feeling ill. The story didn't seem to have the same punch.

zthatzmanz28 wrote:

Haven't seen the new version. The original is great. Though my wife commented the movie left quite a bit out from the book. My wife read the first two books and loved both. The second in the series "The Girl Who Played with Fire" is as good as the first. I think either Stieg Larsson died before finishing The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest or was feeling ill. The story didn't seem to have the same punch.

The author died before any of the books were published. There was a rumor of the start of a 4th book

The second and third books were made into a TV movie. And it looks like it.

The major difference between the Swedish and American version is the ending. The American version follows the book (almost). Therefore, if David Fincher signs up for "The Girl who Plays with Fire", it would follow where the Dragon Girl ended. She pissed with Mikael and goes off to an island off South America. The movie would not be a sequel, but a continuation. In the first book Lisbeth helps Mikael. Now he helps her. And you also find-out why Lisbeth is what she is.


It was impossible to make a movie out of the entire Dragon book. The book is very technical. The movie would have been like 10 hours.


jack

JWF wrote:

...The major difference between the Swedish and American version is the ending. The American version follows the book (almost). Therefore, if David Fincher signs up for "The Girl who Plays with Fire", it would follow where the Dragon Girl ended. She pissed with Mikael and goes off to an island off South America. The movie would not be a sequel, but a continuation. In the first book Lisbeth helps Mikael. Now he helps her. And you also find-out why Lisbeth is what she is...

jack

Great! So there is a possibility of a sequel (depending on how well this one pays off).