The rare American remake that beats the original.

Rating: 8/10 (30 August 2013)

Having watched and thoroughly enjoyed the Swedish language versions of the millennium trilogy, (the girl with the dragon tattoo, the girl who played with fire, & the girl who kicked the hornets nest) I was very interested in seeing what the amazing David Fincher would bring to the table with his American version. I was not disappointed. This movie is better in almost every aspect. Fincher's trademark flare for creating dark ominous visual mood succeeds in adding a level of tension that is sorely lacking in the original. Having loved the character Lisbeth Salander played by Noomi Rapace in the original and by Rooney Mara in this remake, i must admit both actresses are strong and fierce in their individual portrayals. However, I give a slight edge to Mara due to the fact that her performance is just as ferocious and powerful as Rapace's but simultaneously Mara gives the character an undercurrent of wounded/fragile vulnerability that is mostly absent from Rapace's more cold, emotionless, and cyborglike portrayal. Also Mara's Lisbeth has a more bizarre appearance which enhances Lisbeth's disaffected sociopathic qualities.
I would also point out that the soundtrack work of frequent Fincher collaborator (the incomparable) Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, adds a further layer of industrial gloom to the mood of this version. Daniel Craig isn't much of an actor in my opinion, but his presence adds a level of credibility to the courage displayed by his character. The original actor seemed a bit unbelievable in the role. All in all an excellent film that trumps the original in almost every way. There are a few flaws which are carried over from the original, such as a long slow and confusing expository stage wherein the enormous complexity and the long sordid history of the Vanger family is revealed. Yet even in this part, Fincher is able to succeed in surpassing the original by creating an almost quasi-montage of researching scenes that speeds the pacing of this section along and is more enjoyable to watch than the same portion of the original film. Here is hoping Fincher returns to continue the trilogy, and that American audiences are more receptive to the 2nd and 3rd movies.