A bridge too far, especially so soon

Rating: 5/10 (31 December 2011)

I have seen the Swedish film, now this English speaking version, but never read the book. At first I was reluctant to see this version, as I enjoyed the Swedish one, but David Fincher was enough to convince me it would be worth a try.
There were a few standout points, namely the style and cinematography. It really is a wonderful film to look at, and has Fincher's acclaimed attention to detail throughout. He really has put a lot of work into this, and it shows. And with this type of story, it is hard to think of a current day director that would be more suitable. The opening credits are also worthy of a mention. It's like watching a Chris Cunningham music video, spawned from the mind of H.R. Giger. Not sure if it gels with the film entirely, but was impossible to look away. The score also is one of the best points. Trent Reznor does a magnificent job, creating a mood and intensifying a scene. Combined with a well produced sound design, it is great for the ears. As for performances, I thought Daniel Craig came across well.
Whilst watching this film and since leaving the cinema, I have found it impossible to not compare this English version to its Swedish predecessor. Even when consciously trying to watch it with a clean slate, you can't help but consider comparisons. So with that in mind, I have found Fincher's version to be a disappointment. I did not get hooked in at all, and as great as it was for the eyes, I was urging the credits to roll.
Firstly the character Lisbeth Salander played by Rooney Mara. I thought she was so much less engaging than Noomi Rapace's portrayal. At times I actually found her character to be quite overstated in certain scenarios, particularly the over-choreographed bag snatch scene on the escalator. With Noomi's version, there was an eerie undercurrent and imperfection to her character, whereas with Rooney's, being bad seems too perfect in its execution. This type of overproducing, and trying so hard to make it sleek, really took away from the realism of the characters and more importantly the story. With the Swedish one it was gritty, dark, and real. They were far from perfect characters in situations out of their depth. With Fincher's version, the characters tend to feel too exaggerated.
The narrative also was slow at times, then way too quick at others points. For example it's partly a study of Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist current lives for the first half hour to an hour, and does tend to drag. Even still, you learn nothing as to why Lisbeth is the way she is. So they don't know each other, then bang, they are working together. We do see how they get introduced, but the processed is rushed through. I remember the way they come across each other in the Swedish version as being rather important and enjoyable to watch unfold. Their relationship in the Swedish version also grew in a believable sense, and was genuine, however with this English version, it seems so forced. Especially the intimate scenes, they just seem to occur for no good reason. They are quickly squeezed in, then back to the mystery.
If you haven't seen the Swedish version, Fincher's version would probably satisfy. It may be closer to the book, this I am unsure. And perhaps Rooney Mara's turn at Lisbeth Salander would impress. But for me, I have to recommend the original Swedish film by a long way. I think the script has a lot to answer for here as it seems unbalanced, and even with a long duration, it still feels like there are important points that are left out or glossed over. I know it can be somewhat cliché to state it, especially in a scenario such as this, but I can't help but think that in a lot of ways this story has been distorted by the Hollywood system. The product placement is a testament to that, and as for the Nine Inch Nails shirt, for some reason it annoyed me more than it ever should (surely Reznor didn't suggest this?). Nevertheless his contribution was worthy of note, and Fincher has made a good looking film here, and really undertaken a courageous act in making this story around two years after the highly successful Swedish version. The comparisons were always going to be part and parcel of how this version was received. Unfortunately, for me, it just does not come close.