american version will suck

is it just me or does anyone else think the american film version of "the girl with the dragon tattoo" is going to royally suck? lol, just watched the trailer, i am not impressed david fincher!

Posted by polly i freeport , 23 June 2011

I'm American. I agree. As for the Swedish versions, I loved Noomi Rapace and I thought she was perfect, they stuck to the story well-- but Mikael had none of the flair or cheekiness that's so likeable, not that I think Daniel Craig will do him justice... but I hope it would be better than Michael Nyqvist.

Posted by Brookins in Baton Rouge , 24 June 2011

Why do we need an American version? The movie was perfect and Noomi Rapace deserved an Oscar. She was incredible.

Posted by Gloriamaria in Miami, Fl. , 24 June 2011

lets face it hollywood movie are never as good as foreign things they re-do but there is a chance it might be entertaining and hopefully it dosent ruin the books for people who have yet to experience them and as for brookins i totally disagree, mikael was plenty good in the films but to each there own i supose

Posted by benwashear in a place , 1 July 2011

Well, i have seen the trailer and it made me very hopeful! I think that the american version will be very good. Looking forward to the relase dec-21.

Posted by Herr T. in Stockholm , 6 July 2011

If there is one thing I hate about American films and television (and, yes, I am an American) it's how they try to pass off Southern California as every part of the rest of the world, or, even it they do make a film at some other location, they get it wrong - for example, trying to pass either Colorado (the original True Grit) or Eastern and Southern Oregon (Rooster Cogburn and the Lady) as early Kansas and Oklahoma where there is no part of Kansas or Oklahoma that remotely resembles Oregon or Colorado. My point is this, it won't be "Dragon Tattoo" without Swedes in it, and the Swedish settings.

Posted by Grandson of a Fogelquist in Klamath Falls, Oregon , 11 July 2011

Yeah, I absolutely adore David Fincher's work, and thought he did an admirable job at translating Chuck Palahniuk's "Fight Club" on to the screen. But i must say, I'm still very concerned that even with a respectable and accomplished director such as Fincher, that the movie will, like another reader said, only focus on the action of the books. Just big explosions, gun fire, blah blah blah! And I know this sounds perverse, but I really think if they didn't translate all of the more explicit sequences properly, it would also be a loss. Not for a sensationalistic need of mine, but more for the fact that it helps portray where Salander's demeanor and trauma comes from, and it just wouldn't be good to soften it for audiences taste. I mean look at the shamble that the movie "Choke" was, that was also a Chuck Palahniuk novel, turned into a film. It was horrible, they left out so much stuff by way of toning down the film so much, I almost couldn't watch it. And actually I don't think I even finished it, and that is saying a lot for me.

If there is one thing going for the US remake, it's that they have an unknown playing Lisbeth, but still, why not just leave it at the Swedish versions?? For me, the only reason I can see for them to make the US release is money. And yes, I'm highly aware that is the motivation for a majority of films that are made, but not all of them. And with their already being 3 perfectly done Swedish versions, there really is no reason besides greed, for making a US release. It's not going to expose this to more people, that can already be done by reading the book and renting and or buying the Swedish movies. I'm scared to even watch the trailer for the US release! I'm just almost completely set against wanting to watch or support it, and I never thought I would have said that about a David Fincher film. Even when I found out he was directing "Fight Club", I was still in support of him, but I just can't get over the fact, that there are already 3 immensely good Swedish versions.

The worst part is I'll never know if they US release is any good, because critics are just bitter a-holes that didn't make it working on feature films. Maybe I can get a review on this site after it's released.

Posted by Joshua D. in Cincinnati, OH , 14 July 2011

Looking at the recent poster release for the Fincher version does not me feel any better about the US remake. It is a classic badgirl/male fantasy look and is presenting the character of Lisbeth in totally the wrong way. (I am a guy by the way) anyone else feel the same?

Posted by Paul1984 in London , 14 July 2011

I, too, fear and American for-money remake that stresses action and violence (maybe even a bit of feel-good pro-female sentiment) but devoid of the REAL central concern of Larsson: the existence of Evil, selfish racist and sexist forces that should be recognized, dealt with, and stopped! How many Hollywood films take seriously what has been going on like this here for decades now?

Posted by inspired1 in Miami, FL , 16 July 2011

@Paul1984

I agree. I've seen the poster and it did convey the kind of message you have observed. Unlike the cover of the DVD's where in the message you will immediately get is the awesome understanding and partnership between Blomkvist and Salander.

Posted by shanghaibaby in dubai , 19 July 2011

No it will not be a better film. Hollywood just has more money for more hype. Fucking greedy dad and brother just want to make miilions more off Stieg.

Posted by , 21 July 2011

the american versions will do justice to the books where the swedish films fell super farm from the word short. the swedish films got progressively worse. Felt like watching b rated farse made for television. I felt fustrated with how much was left out of the swedish films. How the acting was beyond bland.

Posted by M. Prieto in Hialeah, FL , 25 July 2011

The poster made her look like a goth Bond girl. Obviously the breast implants showed up a little early for the story line. And I can only imagine the Mikael would have a severe elbow to the midsection if he had tried that pose with Lisbeth. Daniel Craig, all wrong. The abomination of Lisbeth's character is worse. The reason why they needed to remake the movie? Hollywood didn't make any money of the Swedish trilogy.

Posted by Luanne in Kansas City, MO USA , 1 August 2011

if you want a preview of the differences between the Swedish version of ?Dragon tattoo? and the American version of ?Dragon tattoo? just look at the differences between the Swedish version of ?let me in? in the American version of ?let me in?.

It is actually a procedure that writers and directors use when translating non-American films into films for American audiences. In another way it's really a description of what American audiences are as human beings compared to the rest of the world.

1st of all, both ?Dragon tattoo? and ?let me in? or actually applying social criticism from the left to modern society via the vehicle of a genre entertainment, the detective noir and the vampire horror film respectively. This means that the social context is very important. It was very very full in both books and reduced but present in the Swedish movies. There was practically no social context via the next-door neighbors in the apartment complex in the American film. We can expect to have the American film trim out the details of social context. Although in this case I think I may be proven wrong because I did see some hints of the modern Nazi movement that was a concern for the writer and all 3 books. Next you can anticipate in increase in overt physical violence as to American taste, and also a decrease in sexual nuance. The American version of ?let me in? did not have her physical ?reveal? nor did it make it quite as obvious that she was seducing young boys into being lifelong sexually dominated slaves. So in the American version of ?Dragon tattoo? you can anticipate the subtlety of her lesbian relationship as a friendship as well as her openness in these matters being translated into a fetish heavy hard edged representation.

In short, Americans are seen as being socially shallow, sexually intimidated by females, and therefore an odd combination of puritanical and overboard rather blunt exploitation. There will be more violence. But I do anticipate it to be a well done film. Think of a Goth man eating lesbian Moll.

Posted by Leo Rivers in Cottage Grove Oregon , 2 August 2011

I have some hope for the American version, It was filmed in Sweden and Oregon and the casting is alright except for Rooney Mara as Salander. Fincher will direct a good movie and the screenwriter has a Oscar for Schindler's List and it is said that the script will accurately reflect the book.

But yes the American movie will be more violent and less Hitchcockian and Salander will be more sexually provocative.....the worse thing however is I heard the movie is running just over 90 minutes which doesn't seem long enough to tell the tale.

Posted by Hilodave in Hawaii , 8 August 2011

I don't understand where all this praise is coming from! The Swedish versions sucked. Period. They seemed like mediocre made-for-Swedish T.V. films! And they strayed too far from the books, which resulted in slight confusion and inadequate and unnecessary plot fillers.

The casting, for the most part, was bad, and the feel of the films was worse. Nothing about the films captured the thrilling aspect of the novels. Michael Nyqvist was nothing like Blomkvist, and his acting was less than stellar.

Noomi Rapace was ok, but not 100% like Lisbeth. Definately not Oscar worthy, though. She made Lisbeth seem like a hot-tempered bitch instead of a complicated human being, and she looked more like an out-of-work 30 year old more than anything.

I am confident that David Fincher will keep the integrity of the books. He himself said that the film was going to be an exact copy of the novel; thrill, gore, and everything. I love the cinematography that I saw in the teaser and the quick cuts along with Trent Reznor's cover of the "Immigrant Song" only made it better. It was better than the Swedish trailer (which just felt like some spoof). Fincher's trailer is the reason why I started reading the series in the first place!

And I personally think that Rooney Mara makes a better Lisbeth Salander. She has the perfect look! I cannot wait to see the Fincher's version in December! Now THAT looks Oscar worthy! P.S. Anyone who says it's a remake is terribly wrong, it's simply an American adaption.

Posted by WaspNest in New Lands , 10 August 2011

I think everyone should wait to pass judgment on the American versions until after they've actually seen them. I'm an American who lives in Europe and am looking forward to seeing the American films. I recently read all three books and watched the Swedish films, which I found to be excellent, though unless one had read the books first, one may have been confused at various times when watching the films. I do think that Noomi Rapace WAS Lisbeth Salander come to life and that any other actress' portraying Lisbeth will have a tough act to follow.

Posted by Lynn in Limerick City, Ireland , 12 August 2011

The way we normally screw up great books in the movie version here (exception, The Road, Cormac McCarthy), I will have to think at least twice before going and possibly messing up my book rememberance. I loved these so much, and while films were lessor versions (time dictates, I'm assuming) of the books, all were great as "after the books" fare.

Posted by Tim in Tucson, USA , 6 September 2011

@WaspNest you could not have said it better.

i can't wait until all these naysayers eat their words when this movie comes out.

i love the girl with the dragon tattoo book. the swedish version is good but it left out ALOT and I personally thought it did the book no justice at all. It changed a whole bunch of things (i.e.Anita Vanger died of cancer, breaking into Harald's house, barely touching on the Blomkvist/Berger relationship). The swedish version also altered the end as well so I don't know what's the big deal with Fincher altering the end a bit.

And as far as movies never being the same as movies, I agree. But if he does a good a job as Peter Jackson did with Lord of the Rings, then we are in for a damn good movie.

also, the simple fact that they have Anita Vanger, Ericka Berger and Isabella Vanger as more prominent roles in the American version tells me that Fincher will be more true to the book than the Swedish movie ever was.

Posted by jose in florida , 9 September 2011

these books cannot be brought to the screen in a movie, only in a long series made for TV, the Swedish movies are awful..

Posted by Vas in Washington DC , 12 September 2011

Stieg was planning to shop the movie rights to hollywood first, so if he had lived, a swedish adaptation may never have been made.

Posted by hiroprotagonist in poughkeepsie, ny , 17 October 2011

I've read the books and seen the Swedish films.

I'm an American. I think Hollywood tends to ruin

foreign films whenever they do remakes, mostly

by attempting to appeal primarily to target audiences

of young male imbeciles. Having seen a preview of the

American version, as well as reading magazine articles

about it, I sincerely believe the persons responsible for

this new version of Lisbeth Salander, have not the slightest interest in portraying her as anything but a

sexual fantasy object for these same imbeciles. If the books are any indication, Stieg Larsson was a man who

genuinely liked and respected women. I'm inclined to

believe he would have approved of Noomi Rapaces portrayal of Salander. I find the image of Mara as a half nude Lisbeth draped over a motorcycle with a man tattooing her buttock just a tad out of character.

her buttock just a bit

Posted by Murmillo in San Francisco , 1 November 2011

I am stunned by all the comments written by Americans saying the Swedish movies suck. Well, you know, the world is a globe and there are places where things are very different to smalltown USA. And very different to Hollywood, too.

Posted by Martin in Frankfurt , 8 November 2011

Personally, I read the books after I saw the trailer for the new version. After I read all the books, I saw the Swedish movies. So, if anything, the new movies will only draw more attention to the books and Swedish movies. Even though I absolutely loved Noomi and loved all the beautiful shots of Sweden, I'm still really excited for Fincher's version. The poster WAS pretty disgusting, but after watching all the trailers for it, I think it might really capture that incredibly eerie and heart pounding atmosphere of the book. But, I'm hoping that they won't screw with the feminist ideas that Larsson wanted people to take away from his work.

Posted by Anna in St. Louis , 28 November 2011

Oh, everybody just relax. Don't judge the movies until you've seen them! I personally think Craig is a good choice for Bloomkvist, and Fincher is a fantastic director that doesn't flinch from moments in a script that make your stomach churn.

Posted by Devon in Pittsburgh, PA , 3 December 2011

David Fincher is a great director, something that appears from his films...But unfortunately he will make the girl with the dragon tattoo, double-action than Larsson's book and he will miss his feminist and socialist views!!! As for Daniel Graig the Bloomkvist's role does not match him at all!!! DON'T mention Mara... She's so unsuitable to play Salander!!! NOOMI is the most talented and beautiful actress and nobody can play Lisbet better than her!!!

Posted by fox in greece , 14 December 2011

Fox in greece you're a fucking idiot. Have you even read the books? Anorexic waif who looks like a 14 year old boy? Rooney fits that description much more accurately, who it sounds like you're just ASSUMING Fincher will miss the female empowerment that takes place in the movie.

Posted by I think you're an idiot in Dumbasstown , 16 December 2011

Film versions of novels always lack many key plot elements. The Swedish films were great, but reading the books first helps with unavoidable discontinuities in the flicks.

Posted by Steve in Aurora CO USA , 21 December 2011

As a big fan of the books who though Micheal Nykvist and Noomi did an excellent job in those bastardizations I feel that the American version is one of the best movies ever made.

Posted by Usmovers_02 in Goffstown, NH , 24 December 2011

It seems from the reviews and comments made on the this discussion board so far since the film opened that

American version of 'Tattoo' did not suck

Posted by pete in Boston , 29 December 2011

The American version did not do justice to the books and certainly did not improve upon the Swedish movies. Too bad; the trailer looked good but as many people said the american movie would lack social commentary and washout Lisbeth's strong sense of Feminism.

Posted by www.livableincome.org in Regina, SK Canada , 30 December 2011

I thought the american, David Fincher directed version was SOOOO much better. For one, i hate dubbed movies, and subtitles even more. But the MAIN Reason, I think Rooney Mara owned it! Completely. Totally. But, hey that's just my own opinion...

Posted by joehandy2 in BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA , 27 February 2012

My half read the books when they first came out...I just finished reading them. I was not interested at first. Finished them in less than a month, and begged hin to watch the Swedish version. He did not like them at all (fell asleep thru most), but I enjoyed the movies. Just waiting till the US DVD comes out

Posted by , 6 Mars 2012

Alas, Fincher's adaption is about to be released on Blu-ray and DVD, and this topic has been proved wrong.

Not only was Fincher's adaption a great adaption of the book, but it was also better than the Swedish version!

Posted by thehighroller5.tumblr.com/ in Chicago , 16 Mars 2012

I liked this movie it was like a good book written into something that people could act in like for real

Posted by poster in nc , 30 May 2012

Read the English translations. Saw the American version of Girl. Watched all 3 Swedish movies last week and can honestly say the American version of Girl is much closer to the source material and does a better job representing the characters the way they are described in the novels. Rooney Mara is the very embodiment of Lisbeth Salander!!! I cannot wait until they get the other two American movies out.

I still don't know, however, how anyone could keep up in the Swedish or American movie versions without having read the books. My poor husband sat through Girl with me at the movies and had a laundry list of questions when we left the theatre. I don't mind reading subtitles and enjoy foreign films, but I just thought David Fincher really took it to the next level with his production. The script was much better.

Posted by Jeanne in Denham Springs, LA , 13 June 2012

So I am in love with this series. I finished all 3 books in 2 weeks. I've watched the Swedish version movie of the first and the american version and I am in the middle of watching the 2nd swedish movie right now on netflix....however, it is one of the worst done movies I have ever seen. The American version of the first movie was also much better than the Swedish version...the plot was a lot closer to the book. This second movie is just downright impossible to watch. It's like a bad soap opera. The dude playing Mikael Blomquist is about 50 pounds overweight and cries like a baby. all of the characters are soft. Not even Lisbeth is portrayed well - she is like a lost character in this movie- very forgetful. I cannot wait until the american version comes out for book 2. I will be poorly dissappointed if it is anything like this crap I'm watching now on netflix with subtitles. Another thing- the damn old guy- her original guardian looks scary as crap and he should be put down.

Posted by Ryan Furlong in Huntersville, NC , 16 August 2012

I personally thought the Swedish versions of all three movies were far and away better than the American. I was extremely disappointed in Daniel Craig's performance, and I'm one of his fans.

Posted by trinjboro in Jonesboro , 22 February 2013