Better than the Original

Rating: 9/10 (14 February 2014)

I would give this film about a 93%. Solid, grade A material. David Fincher continuing his dependable resume' of quality film-making. It's no wonder that our next Batman - AFLAC !! ... I mean Afleck - is mentoring under Fincher. Better than the original.
Now to begin, I need to point out how awesome the original Swedish trilogy is. Subtle, quiet, tense, amazing acting, great editing and photography. I would probably give it an 89%. B+. But give the reins to Fincher, and the guy just knows how to make it even better, as well as the almost impossible task of making it unique, which he seems to do with ease. The guy should write the book on Directing.
Now, this might sound like verbal fellatio but for those of us who RELISH the details, the camera angles, the color schemes, the production design, the art direction, the COMPELLING score (by kick-ass Trent and Atticus duo) ... it becomes clear that the man behind the Best Picture nominee "Social Network" is a true A-List heavyweight. Just watching the DSH, it is so clear how Fincher can turn out quality like a Mercedes-Benz factory. His attention to detail is nigh unparalleled. His endless ideas, perspectives, and experience are the compass that keeps this HIGH-STAKES project on course.
Now, on to the star of the film, little-known (at the time) Rooney Mara, mostly-known as Erica Albright that dumped Mark Zuckerberg's ass in the brilliant opening scene of "Social Network" for being "an asshole." How much can be said about Patricia Rooney Mara? Her auditioning for the part took months. She completely transformed her image without ANY insurance that she had been cast. Multiple piercings (ACTUAL new piercings), shaved head, dyed hair, bleached eyebrows, and a well-done Swedish dialect. No doubt, a well-deserved Oscar nom (of which I REALLY wish she would have won). Her performance was so riveting, I hated the scenes where she was not involved. There is absolutely no room here to say she didn't give this film everything she could have. A chipped tooth, extensive bruising, and a brutal rape scene are just a few examples.
Daniel Craig really turns in a solid, non-pretentious performance without resembling any of his Bond-antics or previous films. Christopher Plummer is solid, Robin Wright is solid, and so is the duplicitous Stellan Skarsgard.
Few remakes surpass the legacy of the original. Chuck Heston's Ben Hur was indisputable, McTiernan's Thomas Crown was brilliant, and the Coen Brothers' True Grit was gorgeous. Fincher's work earns a spot on this exclusive list.
Bring a cup of coffee, though, as Fincher thought to do the brilliant Larsson masterpiece some justice by making it a 2 hour and 42 minute flick.