Pointless arguments over remakes

Rating: 8/10 (4 January 2012)

Could we stop these endless debates about remakes? This latest version is not a remake, it is another interpretation of a book. Any work of art (high or low) can be re-interpreted, and there is no reason why a talented director like Fincher shouldn't present us with his version. (We don't whine about new interpretations of Shakespeare.) There are two criteria for evaluating whether a remake is justified: financial and artistic. I doubt the producers will be disappointed if it isn't a blockbuster - they could have avoided the R classification - and artistically, it seems perfectly valid: the direction, cinematography, soundtrack are superior, and the performances are at least as good as the original.
Again, it is pointless to try do compare Rapace and Mara: each offers a powerful perspective on the character. Craig, has been rightly praised, but for those who felt him subdued or 'blown away' by Mara - please recognise that acting is an ensemble activity - he has been praised by Mara for his generosity - and his role was not only that of a somewhat insecure journalist, on the skids, but also a complementary foil to Mara's. The role and the interests of the film required him to tone down the charisma and 'act'.
All in all, an invigorating and stimulating new take on the book.