The American version is a hit!

Rating: 10/10 (16 April 2013)

WARNING: this review may contain spoilers I am obsessed with the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. I first watched the Swedish films, which were also amazing! Having been won over by the foreign version, I was doubtful about the American version living up to its predecessor. While there were differences in the plot and representations of the characters, the American version holds a candle all on its own.
Starting with the main character, Lisbeth Salander, Mara's portrayal of the character was absolutely phenomenal. Her portrayal differs from Noomi Rapace's in that it is more fragile and feminine. I really like how Lisbeth's character develops throughout the film (and Mara certainly brings depth to the character). She starts off very distrusting, standoffish, and disconnected from the world around her. She is extremely intelligent and seizes control in every situation. Despite these representations, I still felt very sympathetic towards her – she has been betrayed by men her whole life (starting with her father, her guardian, and, in the end, Blomkvist). May sound sadistic, but I rather enjoyed watching Lisbeth mutilate her guardian who viciously rapes her. But that's just it: I feel so connected with her character, not because I can relate to her personally, but because the movie does such a great job at bringing you into her world.
This movie has one main storyline with several side stories branching off. I really like when movies do this because you grow so attached to each character that way. You have the story of Lisbeth's rough childhood, which is revealed more in the foreign film, and the story of Blomkvist's problems with libeling Wennerstrom. The story behind the characters is what gives this movie its depth. We are given so much more than just a great storyline. We are watching the characters develop as the story develops, making the audience feel like they are experiencing the events through the character's perspective.
I give this movie 10 out of 10. In comparison to the Swedish films, I am anxious to see how the American version's ending will play out in the rest of the series. I really wish they would hurry up and come out with the next film! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film. If you like dramas or crime films, this is perfect! This movie is not for the squeamish: there are some truly horrific scenes depicted. Action film lovers may find this movie slow. There is a lot of dialogue and a rather dense/complicated plot. I may be biased because I have watched all of the Swedish films and I have read the book, so my view may be vastly different from someone watching this film for the first time (never having seen the foreign films or read the books). I guess to those people I would say, you need some patience with this one. You won't regret it!