From the first book in the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson, to a Swedish film, and finally to an American film, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo now in theatres is the perfect movie to start off 2012 with a bang.

Back when the screenplay was on the drawing board, big time director David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac) was faced with the challenge of transforming nearly 600 pages of invigorating and complex murder mystery into a film worthy of the Hollywood big screen, and he nailed it.  Though nearly all novel-born flicks translate into blinding disappointments, The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo is a nearly flawless retell covering all the vital and daring parts in the book, casting perfect actors and actresses, and keeping viewers absorbed in its detailed plot for the entire two and half hours.

Rooney Mara (The Social Network) plays Lisbeth Salander, an edgy tattooed and pierced twenty-something girl who doubles as a top-notch computer hacking investigator.  Her troubled youth defined by rape and abuse serves as her impetus for tracking and surfacing players in the despicable game of crime to women.   Her counter-culture disposition combined with her bitter attitude is certainly unconventional, but nonetheless, Salander is the film’s lovable protagonist who is especially admirable to those who strive for complete equality for women.

Mikael Blomkvist, (Daniel Craig, Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale), a journalist falsely convicted of libel, teams up with Salander (Mara) to work on a project assigned by the wealthy industrialist Henrik Vanger (Daniel Plummer).  Vanger wants the cold case of his granddaughter’s disappearance reopened and investigated more thoroughly.  Blomkvist and Salander form a close bond, which is very unusual for the normally introverted Lisbeth. Together, the two of them form an unrelenting powerhouse that succeeds in uncovering two serial rapist/killers, as well as unearthing a complex web of crime and corruption in Sweden’s corporate world.

The film is rightfully rated “R” for its extreme violence and graphic scenes.  If you are at all uncomfortable or queasy, it’s probably not the best choice for you to see.  However, the movie is very well done and worthy of 4.5 out of 5 stars.  For those who can’t get enough of Blomkvist and Salander, the next two books in the Millenium series, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest are available in bookstores everywhere and are set to be made films.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is in theatres all month…Don’t miss your chance to see it!