A Beautifully Shot, Well Acted and Totally Absorbing Thriller

Rating: 10/10 (31 January 2012)

The brutal violence of "Se7en", the complex intelligence of "Zodiac" and the gripping style of "The Social Network" are only the tip of the iceberg in David Fincher's ninth feature film, "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo".
As an avid reader of the novels and original Swedish adaptations, I was skeptical of the American "remake", but although the original Swedish adaptations were well-acted, especially from Noomi Rapace, they suffered from low budgets that prevented the lavish production on display here.
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross's score is haunting, suiting the feeling of the film perfectly, as does the ominous cinematography of the cold Swedish countryside. Rooney Mara is outstanding as Lisbeth Salander. She is fierce, original and, on rare occasion, insecure. Daniel Craig is impressive as Mikael Blomkvist, while Christopher Plummer is first-rate as Henrik Vanger.
"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" is a captivating film that will have you on the edge of your seat, whether you've seen the original or not. The shocking up-front violence will surely turn some viewers off, as will the 2½ hour running time. However, for those who do stay for the ride, it is an entrancing journey that leads to a stunning, heartbreaking finale.