The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Review By Lord McLovin of MovieWeb

After hearing hemps of great reviews for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and how I was anticipating in seeing it, I finally got a chance to watch it in theaters! Being that I stayed at Walt Disney World for the day and park hopped to each theme park, I was going to catch a movie at around 7, well, that didn't happen; it took me an hour to cath a Disney Bus to take me to a resort, which then I took another bus to Downtown Disney, to find out that the movie had already started. I told myself, "you're only missing the trailers" it got even worse when the bus dropped me off at the OTHER side of the park. That meant I had to run through Downtown Disney to get to the movie theater. It was like a Bourne movie and I was being chased by the police. Ducking and dodging every turn I go racing against the clock to not miss THIS movie! Finally made it to the theater, I had to explain my dilemma to the girl at the ticket booth; she felt so bad for me that I got a free movie ticket to see the film! How lucky was I?!

Being that I never had read the books (and usually I read the book before seeing the movie, but at this time I'm reading The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings so I hadn't the time to read a 600 page book before seeing Dragon Tattoo) but from what I heard, I generally had the idea that it was a murder mystery. After seeing this film, I have got to read the books! I walked into the theater it was playing in and found out that I missed about the first 5 minutes; quickly sitting down I was in for the ride of my life....

The plot center's around two important characters: Mikael Blomkvist, a publisher must investigate a murder within the family; Blomkvist moves to the island and begins research into the history of the Vanger family and the disappearance of Harriet; meanwhile, Lisbeth Salander, a surveillance agent who did the background check on Blomkvist is asked to help catch "a killer of women" and must team-up and work with Mikael on the case together.

Daniel Craig (The Bond films) does an amazing job as Mikael, and brings character depth to his character as he investigates the crime that happened nearly 40 years ago. His interaction with the other family members creates tension and warmness with some who seem eerie with the exception of his presence. It's hard to trust anyone when they don't seem to like you, and Blomkvist knows that, and Daniel Criag shows that in his acting. Then we have our lead title girl, Lisbeth Salander; played by the breakout star she is, Rooney Mara (A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Social Network). Rooney Mara brings such momental force and sympathy to her character that has been through such a rough and tough hard life; that you can't help but feel bad for her. You can see and feel her pain (isolation, non-socialble, vulnerable, and rape) as she is put in misery during the infamous rape scene. It's really uncomfortable knowing how you. the audince, the viewer can't help but watch how painful it really is knowing that we can't do anything about it.

And when it's time for her to get revenge on her rapist, you are excited and cheer for Rooney and her character Lisbeth as she plays the scene so well. Another thing, as uncomfortable it was to watch her getting raped, it's even more slightly uncomfortable for male viewers (like me) to watch what happens to the guy as you will find out when you watch this; but at the same time you're happy knowing he get's what he deserves. Know that I got that out of the way, their's nothing happy about this movie (except for well, maybe the McDonald's Happy Meals that she eats) but that's that; this is not a happy movie. It's bleak and dreary with gritty written all over it. Rooney Mara, who has just started her acting a few years ago, does a powerful job at bringing Lisbeth Salander to life. With her trademarked piercings, stylish dark hair, and pasty white skin, wearing that leather jacket and baggy pants riding on that Ducati of her's; she has created anew iconic female hero of the ages. She really does deserve that Oscar award for her outstadning acting job she did.

Besides Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara being the two main actor's in this film, Dragon Tattoo lso has other fantastic actors as well. Christopher Plummer does a good acting job as Henrik Vanger, while Stellan Skarsgard plays the creepy Martin Vanger; and Robin Wright as Erika Berger all do wonderful acting at bringing the character's to life. I can only help but wonder that David Fincher and the rest of the acting cast will continue on in making the last two books.

Speaking of David Fincher, he has come a long way from his first directorial debut when Alien 3 released in theaters back in 1992, and Se7en from 1995 to the electrifying 1999 film, Fight Club and then went on to create some of the classic films such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Soical Network and now this: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. To me, Dragon Tattoo is one of those "Great American film study" type of movie that is up there with Memento, Inception, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Ten Commadments,The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars (the Original 77' cut) and Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, and Forrest Gump;

Where you watch the movie, study the acting, study the directing. write down what makes the scene (cold winter wind whistling through the house) and how the scene is set up (openess all around you with wide angled shots). I'm telling you, this film will be one of those classics that is sure to stand the test of time for many years to come and will be a favorite of film historians. David Fincher does steller at bringing the book to life. It's full of rich story telling, and abundant dialogue, and a majority of false climax endings (you think it's over, but the story continues on after, which I love). We soon follow the two character's as they part their seperate ways after the events that happened on the Vengar Island home; and once again you feel this tender sympathy for Rooney Mara's Lisbeth as she feels at safe now, but then in the end, her heart is broken and the film leave's us feeling the same as her: open isolation, cold feeling, and sad....

We can only hope that David Fincher commits to continuing on this wonderful trilogy of books (that I really need to read!) in making two more films, and I can't wait to go back to theaters again sometime next year to watch Rooney's mesmerizing and captivating heart felt performance as Lisbeth Salander. Overall The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is nicely well made, featuring strong performances from Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, and Robin Wright. It's powerful, thought provoking, uncomfortable to watch at times, and a real great mystery thinker that'll keep you guessing until the very end. I'll tell you what: it get's a certified F*cking Awesome stamp in my opinion. I just might have to take this wild ride in theaters once again, so I can fully appreciate and enjoy this film for what it's worth in brilliance that is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. But remember: What is hidden in snow, comes forth in the thaw....

-McLovin