The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo [Blu-ray] [2011] [Region Free]

When it comes to remakes it's rarely they are worth it or even more rare the equal or better than the original, a critically acclaimed remake of Thomas Alfredson's Let The Right One In was released last year directed by Cloverfield's Matt Reeves but due to my love of the Swedish version I have not bothered with it, I'm sure some will be of the same opinion of this Hollywood version of the late Steig Larrson's best seller and first book of his Millennium trilogy The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. All the ingredients were in place for this to be a watered down version for those who can't be bothered to read subttiles. In all fairness for all the acclaim levelled at Niels Arden Oplev's version it is Noomi Rapace's highly acclaimed powerhouse reading of Lisbeth Salander that is the real draw, the books themselves are effective page turners and although not plummeting to the depths of Dan Brown's Robert Langdon series they aren't works of literary genius, they have a tendency to get bogged down in details and conspiracy, the books certainly have their critics but they have all sold millions of copies worldwide creating an audience for any film adaptation, the Swedish one got their first but is it the better film?Oplev's film was a highly entertaining film but it took more than a few beats from a number of films, yes inevitable Silence Of The Lambs comparisons are justified but the two films which are more than evident he has taken a few pages from are David Fincher's Se7en and Zodiac. Se7en practically reinvented the serial killer genre and raised the bar so high that cinema has been struggling to match its power ever since. Zodiac saw Fincher then approach the genre from an entirely different direction and deliver is outright masterpiece. Which begs the question why this same director be the one who signed on to helm a Hollywood remake with Sony Columbia when he has already made the definitive statement on the genre? Taking Rapace's performance out of the equation we have a competent thriller but nothing particularly new or surprising and Oplev for all his efforts is no Fincher.Fincher is on record as saying what gravitated him towards the project is the fact that it was an adult franchise (the Swedish version has already had two inferior TV sequels released theatrically here and the U.S strangely directed by Daniel Alfredson Thomas' less talented brother) and this was something we rarely see, It's a credit to Sony Columbia that they agreed with Fincher and allowed him to deliver a no holds barred version. In all fairness though to Rooney Mara's Lisbeth Salander her take is far more than just a cover version of Rapace's. More down to age but Noomi always seems like a woman in the Swedish version, this is no detriment to her performance it's narrowly superior but in the book Salander reads as been mistaken for a 14 year old boy or girl, this is never evident with Rapace, where Mara's appearance perfectly illustrates it and it is only when she takes control notably in two sequences that she is undoubtedly a Woman. Fincher takes a big gamble casting her, having obviously seen the potential with her brief but pivotal performance in his last film the masterful Oscar winning The Social Network. The role was coveted by number of high profile female actors and non actors according to Fincher and one British tabloid hinted that Hermoine Granger herself Emma Watson was with her new shorn barnet looking for an audition, it was quoted as being the most sort after role since Scarlett O'Hara.The other key role in the story is that of the Investigative Journalist Mikael Blomvist as essayed by Michael Nyqvist in Oplev's film, rumours circulated that Fincher's regular leading man Brad Pitt was considering the role, now while I have allot of time for Pitt particularly with his work with Fincher, this role is just to every man for him to be believable. Craig has shown although not that recently that a role like Blomvist is more than in his grasp. All the plaudits will no doubt be directed towards Mara who gives a terrific and confident performance but unlike her Craig gives a superior reading to his Swedish counterpart. Craig delivers a far more vulnerable Blomvist, Nyquist came across a little smug and knowing whereas Craig exudes a vulnerability and a a loss of confidence due to the liability suit he has lost that we see the conclusion of at the beginning of the film. Steven Zallian's script wisely opting to dump the element of Blomvist going to jail in the book and the other film, tightening the narrative. Fincher stated that their film had jettisoned the parts of the book they felt slowed the pace down. Fincher and his DP Jeff Cronenweth display the intricacies of the investigation through the documents and photographs, showing Blomvist pouring over the evidence extracting information in order to aid his investigation. The film shows an obvious combination of both Se7en and Zodiac but also with development that Fincher has displayed a maturing as he moves into his 50's. Criticism could be levelled at Fincher and Zallian depending where you sit, if you are looking for the detail contained in Larrson's book you might feel short changed, Fincher didn't sign on to make a serial killer film he's already done that, he said he was far more interested in the relationship between Mikael and Lisbeth. With his two leads he has lucked out, although Nyqvist and Rapace you felt a kinship with Craig and Mara you feel more emotion their chemistry is far more effective and deep, for a director regularly levelled with criticism of being a technician and cold here he elicits two performances with moments of genuine tenderness, Mara displaying a level that no would have thought capable and Craig finally getting a chance to flex his acting muscles rather than his physical ones since becoming 007.We also have a rich supporting cast, Christopher Plumber an actor who in his twilight years is getting some real plum roles, relishes the role of Henik Vanger, else where similarquality from Stellan Skarsgard and it's nice to see Steven Berkoff in the role of Henrik's right hand Frode. Other brief players Robin Wright as Erika Berger Blomvist's business partner and lover. Yorick van Wageningen is suitably creepy in the role of Salander's recently appointed replacement guardian Bjurman, Wageningen and Mara both quite brilliant in their pivotal scenes in the first half of the films, both the rape sequence are handled with a brutal realness and Fincher does not shirk from this one bit, those expecting a dumbing down will be refreshingly relieved although both sequences won't be for everyone. The quality of the supporting cast might make some feel they are wasted but I can only think that actors desire to work with a director with Fincher's reputation were all than happy to sign up for brief appearances, this is about Salander & Blomvist and Mara and Craig's quality are worthy of their supporting players efforts.Coming off the back of a richly deserved academy award for his score to Fincher's The Social Network Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor and his regular collaborator Atticus Ross didn't hesitate to work with the director again and signed on to provide the musical accompaniment to Tattoo. A real synthesis with Cronenweth's cinematography adding to overall atmosphere. While not a score apart from the most diehard Reznor fan that is likely to be listened to independent from the film like Ennio Morriconnie's score to John Carpenter's The Thing it is vital to the proceedings.No this doesn't touch the level of Se7en, Zodiac, Fight Club or The Social Network for that matter, this is more down to the source material being of such a servicable nature and not the efforts of Fincher and his cast and crew, Fincher has taken somewhat of a potboiler and invested it with more depth and in my view despite the superior Salander in the Swedish film has delivered a overall superior version of the best seller. With the likelihood of two more films and everything to play for, both the Swedish versions of the subsequent books The Girl Who Started Fires and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest being two very disappointing television films. If Fincher stays on and pray he does I am most intrigued if he and Zallian can continue to continue to elevate Larsson's source material above it's rather pulpy nature.

It is a shame that David Fincher was never given the chance to film the sequel. Sony dumped The Girl with tthe Dragon Tattoo in December just before Christmas and this is NOT a holiday spirit film. I much prefer Fincher's version to the original Swedish movie.Daniel Craig delivers arguably the finest performance of his career as Mikael Blomqvist, the disgraced journalist who finds redemption investigating the apparent murder of Harriet Vanger, one of the heirs to a billion dollar Swedish industrial fortune. After being hired by Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer, who gives an Oscar worthy performance), retired head of the Vanger empire, Craig's journalist launches into a relentless quest to uncover the truth behind Harriet's disappearance some forty years or so ago. He is aided in his investigation by Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), the socially-awkward, punk rebel with a photographic memory and a master hacker. Together they make one of the most odd-couple detective teams in film history, including one of the best-filmed sex scenes that is as convincing as it is erotic. They formed an interesting bond and ultimately it is Salander who emerges as the hero of the story.The only difficulty with the film is related to the book itself. The narrative comprises an extended "epilogue" which takes about 15 minutes to complete (my best recollection) that takes too much time to tell and effectively drags out the drama unnecessarily although it is essential to complete the story. This is the only criticism I have of an otherwise brilliant and largely overlooked masterpiece by David Fincher. I must also mention Stellan Skarsgard's stellar turn as Martin Vanger, the son who runs the Vanger empire.

Well I'm sure we all thought it and worried about it. What the hell will Hollywood do to this book which we know and love. Even the Swedish film is so wonderful... how can it be bettered? Well, they didn't better it I don't think, but they didn't do the book a disservice either. I thought it was remarkably faithful to the book; almost more so than the Swedish film at times. So - not better than the Swedish film, but not worse either. Daniel Craig, despite the six-pack and chisled good lookes that I thought might put me off the character so well portrayed by Michael Nyqvist, was excellent. I should have realised that in his case, his talent is much more than just his looks. Rooney Mara gives a different side to Lisbeth Salander's character as well. No better than Noomi Rapace's interpretation, just different. They both bring a tremendous amount of charisma to Lisbeth and I enjoy them both. I hope there are plans to film English language versions of The Girl Who kicked the Hornet's Nest and The Girl Who Played With Fire with this cast. They'd certainly be worth a watch.

I waited years before being tempted to watch this inferior "re-make." How could they? And why would they?Goodness me... this is so superior to the Swedish original it should make you weep. One reviewer said you must buy the Blue Ray DVD to watch how/why & where this was filmed. The actor who played the rapist is still affected by playing his part. I can see why. The director told Rooney that her playing her part would affect her relationships with her friends as the piece is so, so evocative & powerful.If this beautiful artwork doesn't change you, you are not making it as a human being. The coat-throwing scene near the end is gut-wrenchingly sad.Watch & be broken

which one to watch first? the Swedish original, or the American re-make? I took the advice of a film critic and watched the U.S. version first. It's in English, and it's way easier to remember the names and the plotif you see it in your mother tongue. I then watched the Swedish trilogy (with sub-titles) and enjoyed it maybe evenmore. Which version is best, is totally a matter of taste. The title on the disc, looks like someone wrote itwith a sharpie on a burned disc. Very clever, it appeals to today's younger consumer while an old guy like me(55+) doesn't mind paying the cost of a legit product.Bravo, well done ( including director David Fincher's takeon the story)

Perfecta para completar tu colección de David Fincher. Este remake, en lo personal, es tan bueno como el original. Fincher siempre cuida las ediciones de sus películas. Lastima que no tengan cuidado en el embalaje.

□過去にも映画になっており、有名な題材らしい。ルーニー・マーラさんが体当たりの演技で驚いてしまうやら関心するやらである。今の時代にあった厳しさも感じさせ、目を離せなくなる。脇役陣も充実。それにしても、クリストファー・プラマーさんには、随分活躍した俳優さんだと思いをはせた。監督さんの代表作に「セブン」があり、あのような映画は嫌いだったが今回の映画はとても楽しめた。ルーニー・マーラさん、若くしてこれが代表作になってしまい、その後はぱっとしない、なんてことにならないかと心配したくなるほど適役だった。

A very strong adaptation by David Fincher. I'm a huge fan of the Swedish film starring Noomi Rapace, but Roony Mara's performance is very good.

Il fallait mentionner la superbe édition collector du non moins réussi dernier film de David Fincher, deuxième adaptation à l'écran du premier des trois romans de Stieg Larson. S'éloignant quelque peu de la version télévisée suédoise, le réalisateur de Se7en propose un pur moment de cinéma, pour lequel gris métalliques et chromos se rencontrent dans un thriller puissant et dérangeant, parsemé de séquences chocs plus percutantes encore que dans le téléfilm adapté de ce même premier volume. L'uppercut Millenium ' Les Hommes qui n'aimaient pas les Femmes, porté par une géniale bande originale signée Trent Raznor, fait s'opérer un millimétrisme à toute épreuve dans les sciences de la mise en scène et du montage (on est bien dans la lignée de The Social Network). Les répliques fusent et le film, qui pourtant affiche plus de 2h30 de métrage au compteur, défile à une vitesse incroyable. Au casting, Daniel Craig et Rooney Mara bénéficient de l'épatante direction d'acteurs de Fincher, tandis que le suspense monte crescendo et trouve une apogée esthétique des plus étourdissantes (la scène de course poursuite en moto !). Autant de talent réuni en un seul film, c'est un peu la Fincher's Touch, qui démontre une fois encore qu'il est l'un des seuls cinéastes contemporains réellement passionnants, même si on regrettera forcément que le matériau ici adapté ne lui offre pas toujours la possibilité d'en faire une grande œuvre personnelle comme avaient pu l'être certains de ses plus fascinants travaux.Ce que propose le Blu-ray est alors bien simple: découvrir en profondeur les coulisses de la production du métrage. Comme à l'accoutumé dans les éditions en vidéo des films de Fincher, les choix éditoriaux opérés par l'équipe du DVD ne peuvent qu'emporter l'adhésion. On se souvient du documentaire passionnant consacré à Social Network, ou des multiples suppléments réservés aux deux disques de L'Etrange Histoire du Benjamin Button. Les bonus consacrés à Millenium sont de la même trempe, et les cinéphiles seront clairement aux anges ! De multiples featurettes présentent avec précision et passion les personnages principaux, les accessoires, le tournage, les effets visuels (très discrets dans le film et pourtant très nombreux), le montage et même le moment où l'affiche teaser a été imprimée !Ce qui fait de cette édition un indispensable pour toute collection qui se respecte, c'est aussi et surtout son absence de langue de bois, sa capacité à révéler même les moments les moins glorieux du tournage. Pêle-mêle, on verra Fincher se plaindre des modifications demandées par Sony en ce qui concerne la police du titre du film, on assistera à un gros délire qu'il partage avec l'actrice Rooney Mara autour d'un jeu sur des « sons de gens qui chient, qui baisent et se font tuer », au moment où en voyant un arc-en-ciel il entonne le hit de l'ère youtubienne « Double Rainbow » ou encore un piquage de crise lors duquel il insulte l'un de ses coéquipiers et l'invite méchamment à sortir de la salle où ils se trouvent.Tout ça, les bonus des autres films ne le montrent pas, puisqu'ils préfèrent la plupart du temps laisser les comédiens principaux raconter face caméra l'histoire du long-métrage dans lequel ils sont en train de jouer (et Dieu sait qu'il n'y a rien de plus ennuyeux). Plutôt que d'assister à de simples featurettes promotionnelles, on entre tête et pieds dans les coulisses du film. Fincher comprend bien que la fonction première des bonus est d'apprendre des choses au spectateur. Mission accomplie haut la main, plus que de se retrouver impassibles face à l'exécution sans âme d'une machine à gros budget, le facteur humain fait son apparition.Un Blu-ray qu'on ne saurait donc que trop vous conseiller, la copie du film s'avérant qui plus d'un piqué et d'une précision des plus appréciables (pas grand-chose à reprocher non plus côté son). Un must ainsi qu'une démo technique que tout cinéphile se devrait de posséder !