by Jo Johnstone
The remake!
It's a phrase and concept that can ignite fear and panic into the heart of film lovers every where. Whether it's a film or TV series the very mention of redoing an idea can be grave news to lovers of the original. Hollywood is synonymous with rebooting classic films with disastrous consequences.
The remake!
It's a phrase and concept that can ignite fear and panic into the heart of film lovers every where. Whether it's a film or TV series the very mention of redoing an idea can be grave news to lovers of the original. Hollywood is synonymous with rebooting classic films with disastrous consequences.
With the announcement of future Star Wars films as well as the recently released Hollywood remake of Korean masterpiece Oldboy, the audience response is usually frosty. So when news hit that Hollywood was remaking the Millennium Trilogy we all had ours doubts. This was until discovering that it would be none other than David Fincher to direct. With him at the helm there was hope. Upon its release, the American version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo proves that some remakes can surpass their originals. Staring Daniel Craig and newcomer Rooney Mara in the much coveted role of Lisbeth Salander, Fincher crafts a dark a seedy vision of modern day Sweden.
The film follows disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist, (Craig) after he loses a libel case against him for slander. To save his publication, Millennium Magazine, he resigns and is approached by a prominent industrialist with an offer. Henrik Vanger, (Christopher Plummer) offers Mikael a years salary to help him discover the fate of his niece who disappeared almost fourty years ago. Separately, hacker Lisbeth Salander, (Rooney Mara) uses her hacking skills to investigate the case and along with Blomkvist must help solve the mystery and uncover a dark secret dwelling in Sweden's history.
Based on the first in a trilogy of books written by Stieg Larsson between 2005-2007. Larsson partially based the character of Blomkvist on his own experiences as an investigative journalist. The character of Lisbeth is said to be based on a girl that Larsson witnessed an attack on in his youth. He wanted to create a female character that would go through her truama’s but strike back. Larsson had intended to write ten stories with the characters of Lisbeth and Mikael. He completed three which he delivered to his publishers before his untimely death in 2004. He never lived to see his works published and become a success.
The film follows disgraced journalist Mikael Blomkvist, (Craig) after he loses a libel case against him for slander. To save his publication, Millennium Magazine, he resigns and is approached by a prominent industrialist with an offer. Henrik Vanger, (Christopher Plummer) offers Mikael a years salary to help him discover the fate of his niece who disappeared almost fourty years ago. Separately, hacker Lisbeth Salander, (Rooney Mara) uses her hacking skills to investigate the case and along with Blomkvist must help solve the mystery and uncover a dark secret dwelling in Sweden's history.
Based on the first in a trilogy of books written by Stieg Larsson between 2005-2007. Larsson partially based the character of Blomkvist on his own experiences as an investigative journalist. The character of Lisbeth is said to be based on a girl that Larsson witnessed an attack on in his youth. He wanted to create a female character that would go through her truama’s but strike back. Larsson had intended to write ten stories with the characters of Lisbeth and Mikael. He completed three which he delivered to his publishers before his untimely death in 2004. He never lived to see his works published and become a success.
Only the first book was intended for theatrical release with the second and third for DVD release. Due to the success of the first film all three were released in the cinema to commercial success.
With the books and films gaining notoriety in the States a remake was inevitable.
Chosen director David Fincher's approach was not to remake the Swedish films but go back to the original source material, Larsson’s novel. The result is a polished more faithful interpretation of the book. The original is good, but this is better proving that remakes are not always a disaster.
The most intriguing thing about Larsson's first Millennium novel is that it is a mystery that begs to be solved. Mikael is tasked with discovering the fate of Harriet Vanger, a girl who disappeared almost forty years ago. Mikael himself is sceptical that he will discover anything new but slowly, like the audience, he realises there is more to her disappearance than meets the eye.
He unlocks clues that take him to the heart of the Vanger family and a sadistic chapter in the family’s history. Like any good mystery the story intrigues you. You follow its trail of bread crumbs hoping to find the truth.
With the books and films gaining notoriety in the States a remake was inevitable.
Chosen director David Fincher's approach was not to remake the Swedish films but go back to the original source material, Larsson’s novel. The result is a polished more faithful interpretation of the book. The original is good, but this is better proving that remakes are not always a disaster.
The most intriguing thing about Larsson's first Millennium novel is that it is a mystery that begs to be solved. Mikael is tasked with discovering the fate of Harriet Vanger, a girl who disappeared almost forty years ago. Mikael himself is sceptical that he will discover anything new but slowly, like the audience, he realises there is more to her disappearance than meets the eye.
He unlocks clues that take him to the heart of the Vanger family and a sadistic chapter in the family’s history. Like any good mystery the story intrigues you. You follow its trail of bread crumbs hoping to find the truth.
To aid the great story the visuals of the film are equally engaging. David Fincher is one of the best film makers working today. From his early career in music videos and adverts he's grown into a polished and creative director, able to communicate themes and feelings through the camera. His version of Dragon Tattoo does boast a much larger budget than the original which he has used not to simply create a flashy remake. His visual approach is to present a feel to Sweden and the story. Throughout the film you feel as if there is something lurking beneath the surface waiting to strike. From the snowy depths of Hedastad to the shadowy metropolis of Stockholm, Fincher paints modern Sweden with a dark underworld waiting to encapsulate you. Particular nods have to go to Martin’s final car chase with Lisbeth as well as the scene in Martins basement with Mikael. Fincher can move from action to sinister thriller with ease.
The role of Lisbeth Salander was a coveted one. With the original actress, Noomi Rapace, receiving great acclaim for her portrayal recasting her would always draw comparisons. Fincher made the admiral decision to go with a relatively unknown actress, Rooney Mara. Mara not only underwent a great physical transformation, (including hair cut, colour and multiple piercings) but also a mental one.
The character of Lisbeth is thought to suffer from Asperger syndrome, making her highly anti-social, introverted and displaying repetitive patterns of behaviour. Mara is able to fill the screen with an uncomftable air whenever present. Her indifference to everyone and everything around her is key to her role which Mara demonstrates brilliantly on screen.
The role of Lisbeth Salander was a coveted one. With the original actress, Noomi Rapace, receiving great acclaim for her portrayal recasting her would always draw comparisons. Fincher made the admiral decision to go with a relatively unknown actress, Rooney Mara. Mara not only underwent a great physical transformation, (including hair cut, colour and multiple piercings) but also a mental one.
The character of Lisbeth is thought to suffer from Asperger syndrome, making her highly anti-social, introverted and displaying repetitive patterns of behaviour. Mara is able to fill the screen with an uncomftable air whenever present. Her indifference to everyone and everything around her is key to her role which Mara demonstrates brilliantly on screen.
Noomi Rapace played Lisbeth as a tough girl with a vulnerable side, Rooney Mara plays Lisbeth as a vulnerable girl with a tough side. The two give such different portrayals that a comparison is pointless. Mara’s wafer thin, petite appearance and circumstances leaves her open to attack from all angles but she is by no means weak. She's highly intelligent and will exact revenge on anyone who attempts to harm her. Mara is able to present a character that is both strong as well as vulnerable.
The one thing that is bound to make audiences turn away is the violence of the film. This is not a happy date film but a study on violence against women told through a detective thriller narrative. For anyone who is a fan of the book, the violence is a large part of it. Larsson set out to create a lead character that does indeed have horrendous things happen to her but will always strike back with equal brutality. Considering that the film has been funded by a mainstream American studio they were brave in marketing it. The original trailer sold the film as the ‘Feel Bad Film of Christmas’. They knew that detracting or removing the films darker tones would not have been faithful to Larsson's novel
A slick, intriguing and superior remake that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Graphically violent but boosting a great heroine in Lisbeth. One of David Fincher’s best and with an opening title sequence that could make Bond jealous.
(Also, if you were impressed by the film's awesome teaser trailer then check out The Muppet parody The Pig with the Froggy Tattoo)
The one thing that is bound to make audiences turn away is the violence of the film. This is not a happy date film but a study on violence against women told through a detective thriller narrative. For anyone who is a fan of the book, the violence is a large part of it. Larsson set out to create a lead character that does indeed have horrendous things happen to her but will always strike back with equal brutality. Considering that the film has been funded by a mainstream American studio they were brave in marketing it. The original trailer sold the film as the ‘Feel Bad Film of Christmas’. They knew that detracting or removing the films darker tones would not have been faithful to Larsson's novel
A slick, intriguing and superior remake that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Graphically violent but boosting a great heroine in Lisbeth. One of David Fincher’s best and with an opening title sequence that could make Bond jealous.
(Also, if you were impressed by the film's awesome teaser trailer then check out The Muppet parody The Pig with the Froggy Tattoo)
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