Decent enough thriller but has plenty of flaws

Rating: 6/10 (14 January 2012)

Not having read the books or seen the Swedish movie I didn't bring any preconceptions or my own opinions on the plot with me to the cinema when I saw this. The opening credits are ludicrously over the top - full of C.G.I. writhing figures that would be more fitting for an action blockbuster. Daniel Craig does a decent job as Blomkvist, however like the rest of the characters, we never feel that there's much below the surface. They exist to tell the story rather than to be absorbing personalities. Even Rooney Mara's Lisbeth isn't more than a well sculptured shell to hang a narrative on. I think this has more to do with the source material than the adaptation. Christopher Plumber gives the best performance as Henrik Vanger, which given his veteran status as an actor is no surprise. The plot starts off briskly and as the murder investigation gathers pace, it does draw you in. Keeping track of all the players takes concentration as there are lots of Vanger relatives hanging around to provide suspects. Lisbeth's sub plot regarding her status as a ward of the state and taking revenge on the guardian who rapes her was deftly handled but I felt it didn't add much to the overall story. Her sexual relationship with Blomkvist seemed unlikely and unnecessary though. After the vaguely unsatisfying revelation of the killer's identity (again, this is the fault of the plot source) my interest waned when Lisbet goes after the tycoon responsible to Blomkvist's downfall at the beginning of the film. This is worth seeing but not worth the hype. I suspect the 'Millenium Trilogy' books are fast paced but lack any interesting literary technique.