Naturally, having read the book, I decided to see the movies. I started with the original Swedish version, not just because it was released first but also because I tend to enjoy the original foreign versions of such films better than the American remakes. I thought the Swedish version was fairly well done, and given the shortcomings of filmmaking, I don't think it was a big deal that they changed so many details. I didn't like the movie as much as the book, but that is to be expected.
What really surprised me was how much I liked the American remake. Other than the lame opening credits, overlaid with an odd mangling of Led Zeppelin's classic Immigrant Song, I really enjoyed this version far more than the Swedish one. Each film had elements done better than the other, but the overall movie-watching experience was better in the US version for me.
Once I return home to Budapest (I'm stuck in Washington DC for work for a month), I'll read the other two of Larssen's books, at least once I finish the ones I am currently reading. This may take awhile, since one of them is War and Peace!
And for something completely different, my Patriots are playing in the Super Bowl for the fifth time in the past decade. This is a repeat of the matchup four years ago when the Patriots had a chance to be the first 19-0 team ever but were upset by the Giants. I hope the Patsies get revenge, but I have this odd feeling that they won't. I keep reading about how Patriot running back Green-Ellis has never once fumbled in his five years in the NFL, so I can't help but feel that this is the perfect setup -- my Patriots losing due to his first fumble.
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I like the American version better too. I also liked the second and third books better than the first.
ReplyDeleteI really loved "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". As far as the Superbowl goes, I decided to go with Eli Manning because he seems a little more likeable to me than Brady. I just really didn't like anything about Tom Brady. Maybe it's just because he destroyed Tebow so bad. So yeah...I hope the pats lose.
ReplyDeleteI've yet to read or watch any of the Larssen stories yet, but I keep hearing good reviews so I need to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the book but I thought the two films were pretty much the same in terms of story. Are tehre big differences to the book?
ReplyDeleteMoody, the movies were both fairly faithful to the book. They had to cut certain things, though in the end the US version was more faithful to the story.
ReplyDeleteI read the first two, but I couldn't find the motivation to read the third, for some reason. I've seen only the first Swedish film. I thought it was good but not great.
ReplyDeletei know i SHOULD read these books- because everyone else has already. but i have other books that i WANT to read first. :)
ReplyDeleteblech. patriots. :P
I haven't read the books, but I have seen the Swedish films. Can't believe it's the same actress that was in the latest Sherlock Holmes - she was so thin for those films.
ReplyDeleteNo stake in the Super Bowl. My wife has a thing against the Mannings (no idea why other than she thinks they are dorky looking) so she's pulling for your Patriots.
Alex, I actually think the Mannings are great, especially Peyton. If the Colts are stupid enough to dump him, I hope he comes back and wins a Super bowl for some other team. But I still have to root for my Patriots.
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