Here are my total lack of qualifications for reviewing this movie:
- I have not read this, or any of the Stieg Larsson books. I have heard people I trust say they’re great. I have heard people I trust say they are awful and overrated. I have heard people I trust say they may have been better in the original Swedish, but Larsson was poorly served by his English translators. My mother wanted to see this because she tried to read the book and couldn’t get more than 20 pages into it.
- I have not seen any of the Swedish movie adaptations of the books.
- I’m way behind in my David Fincher. I liked “Se7en“, but haven’t seen anything since. I missed “Zodiac” when it was in the theater (I really should get the DVD), and I have “Fight Club” on (the extra-special) DVD, but haven’t watched it yet. I had no interest in “The Social Network“, and I heard strongly negative things about “Benjamin Button“.
All that aside, I thought “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” was a solid 3 – 3 1/2 star movie. I didn’t feel like I spent my $7 in vain, and the actual movie going experience was pleasant enough. (Of course, not everyone is lucky enough to have the Alamo Drafthouse.)
I did have a few quibbles and problems with the movie. I’m going to put those after a jump, even though I’m going to try to avoid major spoilers (there may be some minor ones).
(more…)