Sorry about the late review, I blame the fumes that come with fixing up an apartment. We met up at Gamle Major for some pre-movie water/beer, and almost had some action when a guy seemed to be choking.

When I found out the movie was 2 and a half hour, I have to admit I was skeptisk. I had serious doubts if the (what I learned to be) fourth movie in the series could keep it entertaining for that long.

It turned out that it could, I was able to get into the movie and there was enough hotness and action for me to happily not notice how fast time was flying by. It follows the same recipe as previous movies, or so I am told. I have only seen the first one and can agree that it is the case for that. Fancy things, some comedy, action and fast moving plot.

It was Sunday night 22/1/12 and the 173rd SMEX Event. Before the film we ate at Brasserie 45. A new place for many of those in attendance but based on the enjoyment of the food I think there will be some repeat business. Those who dined at the restaurant were Adam, Else, Lissy, Tommy, Oleg and overseas guests Jacko (your special guest reviewer and school friend of Adam’s from Australia) and my fiancee Jessica. Once the meal was finished it was off to the Ringen Kino, and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

The film is based on the first of the Millenium Trilogy by Swedish writer Steig Larsson. The books have already been made into movies in Sweden but now it was Hollywood’s turn. Daniel Craig stars as Mikael who works at Millenium Publishing. We are first introduced to him after a libel court case with the result not in his favour. He is then approached by Steven Berkoff (Beverly Hills Cop and Rambo III fame) to meet with Christopher Plummer to discuss a proposition. Whilst this is in progress Rooney Mara (Lisbeth, she of the Dragon Tattoo) has her own issues to deal with. Mikael decides to meet with Christopher Plummer’s character to discuss the opportunity. He travels to an island that he finds is inhabited by relatives of Christopher Plummer’s character (a very disfunctional family) and soon learns the reason he has been asked to meet. A 40 year old mystery still haunts Plummer’s character, the disappearance of his grand daughter. Mikael in need of cash from the libel suit which went against him and with his curiosity piqued he starts to investigate the disappearance with all the family members suspects. Meanwhile Lisbeth sorts out her issues in a manner that is a little uncomfortable to watch and is soon involved in trying to solve the disappearance mystery.

There are lots of twists and turns with some more surprises and gruesome scenes. The mystery is resolved but leaves some unanswered questions. Stay tuned for the second film.

I have not read any of the books nor seen the Swedish versions. From the discussion after the film it was said the US film is closer to the book than the Swedish version. I caught a couple of scenes of the Swedish version a little later in the evening and there seemed to be quite a number of similarities including Lisbeth looking almost identical in both films and both using the same locations for certain parts of the film. The book is apparently more gruesome than that shown in the film.

Daniel Craig proves he is not just James Bond but able to play a different character and a believable one. Rooney Mara I thought did a good job as the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in what was a complex character struggling with inner problems and how to deal with others. If she needs money next time just let her have it.

All in all a good thriller which in some ways reminded me a little of The Ghost Writer. If you enjoyed that film you would also enjoy this one. A good start to a very popular trilogy with the promise of more intrigue to come.

Hoff says: “Nice to see so many Aussies at SMEx, takes me back to the Baywatch days!”