The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (R)
Mike:
Scott:
Michael I: This week, Richmond Reviewers screened "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," based on the Millennium book trilogy by the late Stieg Larsson. So Mike, since you've read the books and watched a few of the original Swedish movies, what did you think?
Mike: I will say that I thought that this was a movie that didn't really need to be remade. But, there are people who won't watch a foreign movie and they decided to make this a big budget Hollywood film. Having said that, I would recommend this movie.
This is a well made film with a great cast and director.
Now, what did you think, not having read the books?
Michael I: And we're completely opposite with the amount of prior experience with the material, because for me I avoided the original films, the books and all of the trailers (except for the ones that I was forced to watch). So for someone who knows nothing about the plot, characters or anything -- it was an enjoyable movie.
Mike: So it sounds like this movie has something for both fans and newbies.
Michael I: Because as soon as I knew that David Fincher was helming the American version -- it was all over. I was sold.
Mike: I'm with you there. I am a big fan. This guy has made so many movies that are high on my list of great movies. Seven, Fight Club, The Social Network and even The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
I will excuse him for Alien3.
and Panic Room.
Hey look I have a Panic room in my house, next thing you know I have to use it.
Michael I: From what I've heard, he doesn't hold Alien3 that high on his accomplishments either ... but I liked it. It was much better than Alien 4!
Mike: I don't count anything after Aliens.
Michael I: But I want to talk about the up-and-comer that will soon take the mainstream by storm -- Rooney Mara. I'm saying this now: It's her Oscar to lose. Period.
Mike: Good observation. I think they considered every actress in Hollywood, but she took the role and ran with it. I'll bet she's glad she took a small role in Fincher's Social Network, now.
Michael I: To tell you the truth, I wasn't impressed with her role as Nancy in the "Nightmare on Elm Street" remake. She was okay, but she's hit her stride and takes no prisoners when it was come to her roles under Fincher.
But Brad Pitt has done some of his best work with the same director, too.
Mike: Speaking of Oscars, I think we have to mention the amazing score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
Michael I: Absolutely.
Mike: I think Reznor will be glad that he hooked up with Fincher as well.
Michael I: Reznor's sound was much more apparent in this film than "The Social Network". Piercing electronica worked perfectly here.
Which reminds me that I need to buy the soundtrack.
Mike: I think I may need to get both soundtracks, now that you mention it.
The other lead is Daniel Craig, who is no slouch either in the acting department.
Michael I: And neither is Christopher Plummer or Stellan Skarsgard, the other male leads.
Mike: In the Swedish version Noomi Rapace gave an amazing performance, but Craig's performance blows away that of Michael Nyqvist As Mikael Blomkvist.
Don't forget the other actresses, Robin Wright and Joely Richardson.
Michael I: That's good to hear. I'll have to see the original now and compare notes. I see that this version had an estimated budget of $100 million. That's a lot more acting classes!
Mike: Did you recognize Steven Berkoff, who plays the lawyer Frode? Its been a long time, but he was the bad guy in Beverly Hills Cop.
Michael I: I knew I saw him somewhere! I also had the same thought for Goran Visnjic of ER fame.
Mike: It seems like everyone in the world has read the books, but if you are like Michael, let me fill you in.
Disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist is hired by wealthy industrialist Henrik Vanger to solve a 40 year old murder. Unorthodox researcher Lisbeth Salander helps him in this quest.
The movie is very faithful to the book and the 2 hour and 40 minute film is jam packed with story.
Michael I: But what's different about this story, is that the two main characters don't meet onscreen for probably 40 minutes. So you're really getting a lot of character development before the leads intersect.
That's fairly surprising to me.
Mike: Yes, but to me both characters are interesting and you wonder how two very different people from different circles will intersect.
Michael I: Well, you know that they're going to meet -- and the trailer gives that away -- but you don't know that it's so far into the movie.
Mike: The movie, like the book is intense and like a shark always moving forward.Its great that there is a little humor to balance the drama and some scenes that are frankly hard to watch. This is definitely an R rated story.
Michael I: And like I said post-screening, I think only David Fincher could get away with the scenes that were filmed. The word "intense" should be followed by "uncomfortable", "awkward" and for many "unwatchable."
Mike: Yes, but they are scenes straight out of the book.
How do you rate this?
Michael I: For someone completely fresh to the material, I wasn't terribly surprised by the plot twists nor was I lost in any way. I thought that it had a chance to be more clever in how they revealed the antagonist and third act. The fact that it continued for another 30 minutes past the key storyline weakened the overall product, in my opinion. Other than that, everything was off the charts for me: the performances, the visuals, the sound design and score ... I'm giving it a 4.5 out of 5. By far one of the best that I've seen this year.
Mike: I give this a 4 out of 5. The movie had me glued and I had read the book and seen a previous version on film. I think there are plenty of others who will feel the same. Like the Lord of the Rings movies, this seemed to have multiple endings, but this comes straight from the book. The movie actually makes one major change, but it doesnt really affect the outcome.
I agree that this was one of the best of the year.
