354 replies to this topic

[DamnCoffee]

It's amazing. Daniel Craig is so good at humour, and just a brilliant actor in general really!

Edited by Mharkin, 14 January 2012 - 09:31 AM.

[byline]

I was very tempted to give it a 5 star film, but I feel that there was just some stuff that really confused me. Didn't have any idea of what on earth was happening with Lisabeths trip to Zurick towards the end, they didn't explain what she was doing very well at all. I also felt that the whole murder thing wasn't explained in enough detail.

I think that both the Swedish and American films presume that most people have read the book, which is pretty convoluted in a lot of these details. Dunno if you're asking for an explanation, but I'll give it a try:

Spoiler

Remember at the beginning of the film, when Mikael loses the court case to Wennerström? Wennerström had charged Mikael with libel. In her background check on Mikael, Lisbeth had already done some research on Wennerström, then hacked into his computer. After the Vanger family saga draws to a close, Henrik gives Mikael the information he had promised on Wennerström, but it turns out to be useless. Mikael writes an exposé anyway and publishes it in Millenium magazine. Lisbeth asks Mikael if Wennerström will spend any time in jail, and Mikael says probably not. So then Lisbeth asks Mikael for a loan and takes on a disguise, pretending to be a blonde "accomplice" of Wennerström's (or at least that's how the police and media interpret it). She drains money from his accounts, transfers it into bonds and then sets up her own accounts. Wennerström was laundering money for the Russian mob, and so when they discover that his/their money is gone, they kill him. Lisbeth pays back Mikael for his loan on the "investment" and buys him an expensive leather jacket for Christmas, only to toss it into the dumpster when she sees him with Erika.

As for the (non)murder of Harriet, basically what happened is that Harriett's father, Gottfried, was killing women whenever he travelled on business and then bragging about it to Harriett and Martin. So young Harriett began her own "investigation" of the murders and wrote the coded biblical clues in her diary. Unknown to anyone in the family (except their mother, Isabella; Harriett told her, but she didn't care), Gottfried was also forcing both Harriett and Martin to have sex with him. Gottfried drowned, and everyone assumed it was an accident because he was drunk, but as it turned out, Harriett killed him. Unfortunately, Martin saw her and began doing the same thing to her that their father had. So she had just traded one rapist for another. Martin was sent away to school, and so Harriett thought she was finally free. But then, the day of the accident on the bridge, he returned, and she spotted him at the parade. She feared that he would start coming after her again. She left and went back to the Vanger estate, where she met up with her cousin Anita. Anita agreed to help her escape, and the next day drove with Harriett hidden in the trunk away from Hedestad. In the English film version (which is handled somewhat differently from both the book and Swedish film), Anita insists that Harriett stay in London and hide behind Anita's identity, so she did. Later on, Anita and her husband were killed in a car crash, and so Harriet was the only one who knew about the identity switch. She continued to live as Anita; having no contact with her family and no desire to keep up with news related to her homeland, she didn't realize that Martin had continued on where their father had left off. Harriet sent a portrait of dried flowers to her uncle every year on his birthday to let him know that she was still alive. She didn't realize that he would think they were being sent by her killer to torment him.

[Germanlady]

Really good, its not that easy to connect all those loose ends

[byline]

Really good, its not that easy to connect all those loose ends

Thanks! It helps that I've read all three books and seen all three Swedish films prior to seeing this one.

[Germanlady]

Really good, its not that easy to connect all those loose ends

Thanks! It helps that I've read all three books and seen all three Swedish films prior to seeing this one.

Actually its one of those films, that you have to see at least twice to really get all the stuff, that's going on in terms of all those little details, that make the film so good.

[byline]

Really good, its not that easy to connect all those loose ends

Thanks! It helps that I've read all three books and seen all three Swedish films prior to seeing this one.

Actually its one of those films, that you have to see at least twice to really get all the stuff, that's going on in terms of all those little details, that make the film so good.

True, and I did see it three times!

[Germanlady]

Really good, its not that easy to connect all those loose ends

Thanks! It helps that I've read all three books and seen all three Swedish films prior to seeing this one.

Actually its one of those films, that you have to see at least twice to really get all the stuff, that's going on in terms of all those little details, that make the film so good.

True, and I did see it three times!

I will see it another time, for sure. Its just worth it.

[The Dove]

Finally got around to seeing this remake yesterday..and as a HUGE fan of the original Swedish trilogy and the books, I LOVED IT!! Craig and Mara were just as good as Michael Nyqvist and Noomi Rapace..My expectations exceeded several times over.. Bring on "Fire" and "Hornet's Nest" I've heard that Daniel and Rooney are signed for the sequels.

[marktmurphy]

I was very tempted to give it a 5 star film, but I feel that there was just some stuff that really confused me. Didn't have any idea of what on earth was happening with Lisabeths trip to Zurick towards the end, they didn't explain what she was doing very well at all. I also felt that the whole murder thing wasn't explained in enough detail.

I think that both the Swedish and American films presume that most people have read the book, which is pretty convoluted in a lot of these details. Dunno if you're asking for an explanation, but I'll give it a try:

Spoiler

Remember at the beginning of the film, when Mikael loses the court case to Wennerström? Wennerström had charged Mikael with libel. In her background check on Mikael, Lisbeth had already done some research on Wennerström, then hacked into his computer. After the Vanger family saga draws to a close, Henrik gives Mikael the information he had promised on Wennerström, but it turns out to be useless. Mikael writes an exposé anyway and publishes it in Millenium magazine. Lisbeth asks Mikael if Wennerström will spend any time in jail, and Mikael says probably not. So then Lisbeth asks Mikael for a loan and takes on a disguise, pretending to be a blonde "accomplice" of Wennerström's (or at least that's how the police and media interpret it). She drains money from his accounts, transfers it into bonds and then sets up her own accounts. Wennerström was laundering money for the Russian mob, and so when they discover that his/their money is gone, they kill him. Lisbeth pays back Mikael for his loan on the "investment" and buys him an expensive leather jacket for Christmas, only to toss it into the dumpster when she sees him with Erika.

As for the (non)murder of Harriet, basically what happened is that Harriett's father, Gottfried, was killing women whenever he travelled on business and then bragging about it to Harriett and Martin. So young Harriett began her own "investigation" of the murders and wrote the coded biblical clues in her diary. Unknown to anyone in the family (except their mother, Isabella; Harriett told her, but she didn't care), Gottfried was also forcing both Harriett and Martin to have sex with him. Gottfried drowned, and everyone assumed it was an accident because he was drunk, but as it turned out, Harriett killed him. Unfortunately, Martin saw her and began doing the same thing to her that their father had. So she had just traded one rapist for another. Martin was sent away to school, and so Harriett thought she was finally free. But then, the day of the accident on the bridge, he returned, and she spotted him at the parade. She feared that he would start coming after her again. She left and went back to the Vanger estate, where she met up with her cousin Anita. Anita agreed to help her escape, and the next day drove with Harriett hidden in the trunk away from Hedestad. In the English film version (which is handled somewhat differently from both the book and Swedish film), Anita insists that Harriett stay in London and hide behind Anita's identity, so she did. Later on, Anita and her husband were killed in a car crash, and so Harriet was the only one who knew about the identity switch. She continued to live as Anita; having no contact with her family and no desire to keep up with news related to her homeland, she didn't realize that Martin had continued on where their father had left off. Harriet sent a portrait of dried flowers to her uncle every year on his birthday to let him know that she was still alive. She didn't realize that he would think they were being sent by her killer to torment him.

I never finished the book, but all of that was made quite clear in the film.

[Germanlady]

This has probably been read and posted, but it guves greeat inside into QOS and the man himself.
http://www.news.com....r-1226242495909

[SecretAgentFan]

Yes, surprisingly he is very candid about his work on COWBOYS & ALIENS.

[marktmurphy]

That's a fun interview; he's candid about work and yet private: I like that.

[DamnCoffee]

[Germanlady]

Daniel nominated for best actor, Tattoo for best film. You can vote...
Jameson Empire Awards due to take place March 25

http://www.digitalsp...12-in-full.html

[Germanlady]

http://www.youtube.c...&v=UJA40b-Y4eU#

[S K Y F A L L]

When I saw the trailer I started staying completely spoiler free until I read all the books. I liked them so much I even saw the Swedish films, dubbed of course. I thought they were great and the 2011 version was just awesome. I hope David Fincher returns for the sequels.

[bill007]

Mharkin ~ Loved that CAAAAAAAAAAAT! scene. He never gives it a name, so he just calls for it. Hilarious.

I saw this in the cinema and loved it. I just finished watching it again on rental, along with my wife who had not seen it yet. I did not reveal any spoilers to her, as I wanted her untainted view of the film. During Lisbeth's revenge scene, my wife couldn't take it, and left the room, fearing the torture would be a prolonged activity, and not very interested in the way the film was developing. I paused the film.

After the kettle boiled, and a fresh cuppa made for the Mrs, I eventually managed to get her back to watch the rest of the film. Afterwards, we went outside for a smoke and discussed the movie. My wife said that she initially had disdain for Lisbeth, but the revenge scene turned her opinion completely around, and she began to take sides with her. My wife's feelings reflect my own initial viewpoint of the character.

I really enjoyed how this film did all it could to assuage anything Bondian. When Mikael buys a pack of smokes, goes outside and fires one up, I thought.... this is so not going to be a Daniel Craig between-Bond-films movie. I hope-and-pray all return for the sequels.

(Did not read the novels, did not see the earlier Euro-films)

[S K Y F A L L]

Would it be to premature to create a Topic for "The Girl Who Played With Fire (2013)" or 'The Millenium Series'? I understand it may not be set in stone yet, I just have faith it will be made.

I've been hoping David Fincher would return to direct the 2 sequels and it has been reported that he has said if he does return, he would like to film them back to back. If he does not return do you think it could hurt the sequels?

Here is a comparison titled, The Girls With The Dragoo Tattoos: A Comparison. I thought it made some interesting observations although I think it forgets and I may be wrong here but the 2011 version was ment to try and tell a story that the 2009 one didn't and introduce it to a new audience which may not have seen the 2009 films.

[thecasinoroyale]

Well after hearing this was a Daniel Craig project, I wanted to see it and read the book(s), so I've just finished 'Dragon Tattoo' and loved it, really got into it and now am hoping to see the film very soon!

Just started reading 'Played With Fire' and am only abou 8% in (thank you Kindle) but am hooked again!


I can't wait to see the film now!


S K Y F A L L - Would it be worth watching the Sweedish versions after I've read the Trilogy, so I can see it pan out in film rather than wait years for the American versions?

[SecretAgentFan]

I would be surprised to see the next US films made from that trilogy since TGWTDT is considered a box office flop. Mainly because it was too expensive. If they scale down the budget I don´t think that Fincher will return. Although he may not want to return anyway. And who would want to touch this then? The US remake of the first one already had to struggle against the good reputation of the Euro films of these books.

In my opinion they never should have released it during Christmas time. Rape, torture, neonazis, bleak look at the human condition - that just does not gel with chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

[thecasinoroyale]

I thought it did critically very well...was it just box-office where it suffered?

It's a shame, but I do agree that Christmas wasn't the best time for this sort of film (going by what I've read in the book!).

[Dustin]

I thought it did critically very well...was it just box-office where it suffered?

It's a shame, but I do agree that Christmas wasn't the best time for this sort of film (going by what I've read in the book!).

From what we hear the budget must have been somewhat beyond what you'd call sensible for a film of this nature. Effectively TGWTDG would have had to be a huge box office success to make up for this. And realistically this wasn't going to happen with this kind of story. Americans perceived it as a European film and those always have a hard time with that audience. I remember early on Fincher and/or Craig defended the decision to keep the film's setting in Sweden, so there probably has been initial pressure on the production to Americanise the story and script. In general I despise such efforts, but in this case the film might have fared indeed better.

That said SONY seems intent on going the whole distance with this, perhaps also in an effort to get some of their funds already spent on the gig back.

[SecretAgentFan]

The problem is: like the wonderful "LET ME IN", the US remake of "LET THE RIGHT ONE IN", this film did not really offer anything that the original did not. Audiences who were interested in the novels have read them. And those who were interested in the films have seen them. So... why paying again for seeing another version so soon? Even if it was directed by Fincher and featured Craig and Mara (who I thought was way, way, way more interesting than Rapace, by the way).

[Germanlady]

It did cost around 90 Mill and made 232 Mill, but Sony wanted around 300 Mill. Not really a flop, just not as well, as they hoped. But yes, the timing was just all wrong, because the film was liked by critics and audiences and hold on well, after a disappointing opening weekend over X-mas. I would hope, Fincher doesn't return, because there are other good directors, who can make this their own without going over the top with production costs, not the least due to that way too long shooting schedule, that Fincher needs.

Back to back was planned from the first talk about the sequels and makes sense..

[S K Y F A L L]

(...) S K Y F A L L - Would it be worth watching the Sweedish versions after I've read the Trilogy, so I can see it pan out in film rather than wait years for the American versions?

Yes I would say so, thats what I did. You can get it dubbed in english, I should mention.

Edited by S K Y F A L L, 16 May 2012 - 02:21 PM.

[thecasinoroyale]

Meh, I'm not too fussed about dubbing. I was at one point in my old Jackie Chan days, but learnt that it detracts from the power of the film, and the dubbing is usually naff.

Hearing their actual voices, in their native tongue doesn't bother me. Subtitles are bearable when it all adds to the depth of the film.

I'll let you know if I can get them watched...the 3 Sweedish and 1 American versions! Thanks S K Y F A L L.

[The Dove]

Hope you enjoy them, thecasino... Yes, I've always watched the original Swedish trilogy with the subtitles..I have yet to try the English dubbed version, which is also available on the DVD's.. Anyways..Rooney Mara did say at the Academy Awards the filming is supposed to commence on "Fire" and "Hornet's Nest" this autumn..no word yet on who'll be directing though..

[S K Y F A L L]

I thought I read somewhere that there is also a 4th book a 3rd finished and an outline which Larsson's wife believes she can finish, so there is the possibility of a 4th film which would generate a lot of hype and really make the American version different from the Swedish, if all plays out well.

[S K Y F A L L]

I thought I read somewhere that there is also a 4th book a 3rd finished and an outline which Larsson's wife believes she can finish, so there is the possibility of a 4th film which would generate a lot of hype and really make the American version different from the Swedish, if all plays out well.

Thee are three books.

There are supposed to be notes for a fourth book, however the family have currently shut down any chance on this possible fourth book. Something to do with disliking the girlfriend of daddy who lived with him while he wrote the books. She has somei nsight and wanted to finish his work. So do not hold your breath.

Oh well, thanks for clarifying that for me.

[thecasinoroyale]

Finally watched the Daniel Craig version of the film last-night and loved it.

Rooney Mara blew me away, far better in the role than I expected, and Daniel Craig once again just acted perfectly as Blomkvist, not a trace of Bond or other roles in his performance that you may automatically think of.

Loved the supporting cast, and the fact it was a nice long film to expand and draw on the stroy. The differences from the book I accept, as they work probably better visually on screen with the limited amount of time.

And when Martin Vanger started playing Enya - 'Orinico Flow' with Blomkvist in the basement...spine tingling.

I can't wait for 'Fire' and 'Hornet' as sequels, which I really hope they do.


Oh, and the opening titles were brilliant and just utter Bond!