An unrelenting and intense thriller; another Fincher masterpiece.

Rating: 9/10 (14 January 2012)

Those that thought David Fincher couldn't pull off the impossible – creating a worthy remake of the much loved Swedish Dragon Tattoo only two years after it itself was released – thought wrong. Fincher has added another indelibly powerful body of work to his already amazing CV; somewhere above Panic Room and Benjamin Button but slightly below Zodiac, Seven, Fight Club and The Social Network. With a tone-setting opening credits sequence – one of the best I've ever witnessed – and a darkly atmospheric score by regular collaborators Trent Reznor and Atticus Finch, the U.S. TGWTDT is an unrelenting and intense thriller that had me on the edge of my seat despite knowing the bulk of the narrative twists and turns (some of which have been altered from the original). But what of the cast you ask? Well, comparing the new and old portrayals of the titular inked female – by Rooney Mara and Noomi Rapace respectively – doesn't generate a clear winner, only how different they actually are. Where Rapace played it physically stronger, mentally clearer and emotionally detached, Mara is less physically imposing, mentally weaker but emotionally more in control. Daniel Craig on the other hand is a much more engaging Blomkvist than Michael Nyqvist, and, most importantly, the chemistry he shares with Mara is more convincing and tangible than that of the Swede duo. This really is the "feel bad movie of the year" that the posters suggested thanks to the impressive cast and crew, and one that will have both fans and newcomers enthralled.