The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

[Slammr (imported)]

Just come back from seeing it. Didn't think I'd like it because of my loyalty to the Swedish original, but I was wrong. I actually think Hollywood's Lisbeth is more effective, and more affecting, than the Swedish.

My one gripe - the sound. I saw it in a theater I visit often, so I don't think it was the theater that made it so often difficult to hear. Had I not already known the story, large parts of the film would have been incomprehensible. I can't imagine why, in a big budget Hollywood movie, they didn't use sound technology that could capture all that was said. I'll see it again, and hope it's better understood on a second listening.

Other than that, a fine film. The 2'40" flew by.

P.S. There are many small differences between the Swedish and American versions. Would someone who's read the book comment on which was the more accurate adaptation?

I had problems hearing the movie, too. I wear hearing aids, but with them, I can usually hear the movie OK. I was at a different theater from the one I usually attend, but upon reading your post, I'm thinking there was something wrong with the sound track. I couldn't understand much of the conversation.

Having read the books, the Swedish film version is closer to the book.

[twaddler (imported)]

With makeup, she looked very much like Lisbeth, and the U.S. adaptation wasn't shit. I've seen both, and even after seeing the Swedish version, I liked the U.S. version. If you'd seen it and made that statement, I would have said you were entitled to your opinion. Since you made the assumption without seeing it, I have little regard for what you said. Often Hollywood does screw it up, but often they don't. In this case, I don't think they did. Having seen both, if I could only see one of them, I would go to the U.S. version.

After recently seeing Cowboys vs Aliens, I'm not having the most faith in Daniel Craig. I do not regret my assumption; however my opinion may change after I see the film. The actor who played Lisbeth in the Swedish version, her physique, was a dead match; the photos I've seen of the actor in the US version, not at all. We shall see.

Also, don't get snippy with me, mister!

[Slammr (imported)]

Also, don't get snippy with me, mister!

Since you made the assumption without seeing it, I have little regard for what you said.

That wasn't snippy. I could show you snippy, if you really wanted to see it. You made an assumption without anything to back it up, and I called you on it. That's all I did. You assumed the movie was shitty because Hollywood made it, and I had just told you I'd seen both movies and liked it. If anything, you were insulting my judgment without having seen the movie yourself.

[bobover3 (imported)]

Yes, the sound recording is a problem. I saw the film again, and I did understand more on a second listening, but it was still hard work. Back in the 1930s, actors were supposed to practice elocution to speak clearly. Today, movies rely on sensitive recording to pick up every mumble and mutter, so that actors can speak naturally. Here, the actors speak as they usually do, without the sensitive recording.

This is off topic, but it's my perception that people don't speak as clearly as they used to. Speak to someone under 30, even in a business setting, and there's a good chance they'll speak in a rushed, slurry way, as if they were on speed and drunk at the same time. I often have to ask younger people to repeat themselves, not because I don't hear them, but because they pronounce words like rock singers - elongating vowels and swallowing consonants. Is this a lack in contemporary education? I know I'm sounding like an old fart, but don't people want to communicate?

[Wolf-Pup (imported)]

I haven't been to a movie theater in a few years. One thing I had come to notice when I still did go, was that the bass seemed to drown out dialog. Also when people spoke in soft deep tones and whispers it is hard for me to pick up. I prefer DVD/Cable where I have the option of turning on captioning for things that are too quiet. The worst is when speaking in one level and then music is MUCH louder....grrrrr

[Dave (imported)]

STARZ channel just broadcast the American version of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO last night.

I can positively say one thing -- I hate the soundtrack. The soundtrack sucks balls, not just any balls but dead balls on the ass end of a zombiefied hippopotamus. I've heard many a soundtrack that wasn't my "favorite" music (including RAP soundtracks) but the soundtrack for this movie is just awful and ignorantly intrusive. I might even say it's a blight on the world of music.

There's a different focus in the American movie that changes the story from the Swedish movie and the book.

In the book, the character Lisbeth does grow into more adult independence and self assurance thanks to her relationship with Blomqvist. His version of a sexual affair changes her rather terrible insights into sex and love. Australia never happens. Harriet is unconvincing. There is less said about the double-crosses at Millennium. The Vanger Family doesn't seem as crazy as it is portrayed in the book.

I enjoyed the movie but not as much as the book (and I guess that is proper. Books are always richer).

STARZ will repeat this movie over the next month or so and I'll get a chance to see it again, several times.

After the run on STARZ, it will hit free cable. I get STARZ for the Spartacus series and that will end next year.

[A-1 (imported)]

STARZ channel just broadcast the American version of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO last night.

I can positively say one thing -- I hate the soundtrack. The soundtrack sucks balls, not just any balls but dead balls on the ass end of a zombiefied hippopotamus. I've heard many a soundtrack that wasn't my "favorite" music (including RAP soundtracks) but the soundtrack for this movie is just awful and ignorantly intrusive. I might even say it's a blight on the world of music.

There's a different focus in the American movie that changes the story from the Swedish movie and the book.

In the book, the character Lisbeth does grow into more adult independence and self assurance thanks to her relationship with Blomqvist. His version of a sexual affair changes her rather terrible insights into sex and love. Australia never happens. Harriet is unconvincing. There is less said about the double-crosses at Millennium. The Vanger Family doesn't seem as crazy as it is portrayed in the book.

I enjoyed the movie but not as much as the book (and I guess that is proper. Books are always richer).

STARZ will repeat this movie over the next month or so and I'll get a chance to see it again, several times.

After the run on STARZ, it will hit free cable. I get STARZ for the Spartacus series and that will end next year.

Dave, if you can get on Net Flicks and watch the ORIGINAL version from the Netherlands with the captions. It is MUCH better done and it is a TRILOGY... 3 movies.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

The Girl Who Played With Fire

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (?Knew Too Much?) I don't know where this title came from...I probably made it up?

GO TO AMAZON AND BUY ALL 3 Videos if you cannot get Net Flicks. (http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tatto ... B003FBNJ4U)

I promise, you will ENJOY them much better... GREAT FLICKS, ALL 3... you quickly get used to the English Captions and Swedish is a GREAT language, even if you do not understand a word of it...

[Dave (imported)]

I saw "Dragon Tattoo" in the Swedish version almost a year ago. That was after I read the book.

I think the Swedish version is truer to the book but that's the difference between screenwriters and adapters.

I don't prefer one version over the other.

[moi621 (imported)]

I only caught a bit of the movie near the end while I was channel roaming.

I do plan to watch it through.

Like the original Yakuza movie, this movie seems to establish a style

of its own that will not be replicated by others. Not with any quality.

I am unaware of any associated books.

Moi

[kristoff]

Hands down, the Swedish version done in English is far superior to the American version. Haven't seen any done with sub-titles. May look for them, and practice some of my very-long forgotten Swedish.