THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Journalist Mikael Blomqvist (Daniel Craig), disgraced after losing a libel case, is hired by an old business magnate to solve the past murder of his niece, which was allegedly committed by someone in the family. Blomqvist soon realises this is only one in a series of sadistic murders. In need of an assistant, he hires Lisbeth (Rooney Mara), an eccentric computer hacker with a dark past, who investigated Blomqvist before he was hired. Together they work to find the serial killer in the mysterious family.
The impeccable casting, with Rooney Mara’s staggering performance as Lisbeth Salander, and Daniel Craig as the inadequate Blomqvist, as well as the brilliant soundtrack by Oscar-winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network), make David Fincher’s version of this Swedish bestseller and box office hit far outshine its predecessor.
Unfortunately, the defects in the original plot are all the more evident at the hands of Fincher – craftsman of thrillers – and the film mostly lacks the tension and suspense it deserved.
Nonetheless, for those who missed the Swedish version, and especially for Fincher fans that have keenly waited since his last thriller Zodiac for him to do what he does best, this will be a full treat. (HP) ****
