The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Movie Review

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a movie adaptation of the novel written by Stieg Larsson. It is the first book of very successful Millennium Trilogy.

Movies based on the successful novels have few inherent advantages.

There is a good chance of people, who have read and liked the book, turning up to watch the movie. The people, who don’t have patience to read entire novel will prefer watching the movie so that they will know something about the plot of the famous book. The hype, publicity and excitement before the release are very high. This almost assures good opening week or two at the box-office. However, after that it’s strictly on the merit and word-of-mouth.

This review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is coming from the person who has read the original book by Stieg Larsson. Hence the opinions expressed may not be applicable to the viewers who have not read it.

The story is more or less in line with the original book. For short and crisp review of the book, please refer to our book review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

The movie starts with a telephone call between Henrik Vanger and Police Officer Morell. Just like the Book! The movie proves to be a visual treat. Hedeby Island and Vanger households were exactly what I had imagined while reading the book. A perfect background!

The background score intensifies the drama. Technical aspects are outstanding.

Same goes with the lead characters. The most exciting performance comes from Rooney Mara. She is absolutely superb as Lisbeth Salander, a strange and anorexic but brainy girl. Daniel Craig as Mikael Blomkvist is a good choice. He has effectively portrayed the investigative journalist. However, Craig’s Blomkvist plays second fiddle to Salander and appears weaker at times.

However, other characters are not that effective. It is in complete contrast with the book, where all characters stay in the memory. Christopher Plummer as Henrik Vanger is ok. Stellan Skarsgård’s Martin Vanger is average. Robin Wright does look like Erika Berger. But it is limited only to the looks. It is not reflected in her body language and acting.

Solving the mystery of Harriet’s disappearance is the most enjoyable and thrilling part of the novel. However, it is not as thrilling in the movie. There are so many suspects in the novel that could be behind Harriet’s disappearance. There are very few (almost none) in the movie.

While the movie plot lacks the twists, thrill, suspense and intricacies of the book, it inherits the book’s (minor) weakness - The Wennerström affair. It has stretched the length of the movie by few minutes.

Taking cinematic liberties is not necessarily an evil. If done properly, it can make movie even more interesting. Director has taken a few cinematic liberties here and there.  The Australia connection, which is present in the novel, has been completely removed. However, it was the link which made the novel more plausible.

Overall, it is a good movie which you can sit through and watch. However, if you have read the novel, then there may be a feeling that something is missing!

• Entertainment Aspects: 3/5
• Technical Aspects: 4/5
• Creativity Aspects: 3/5
• 'Classic' Movie?: 3/5
• Overall: 3.25/5