First I have to say I have not read the book; so, I am not sure my experience would have been the same if I had read this best selling novel by Stieg Larsson. Secondly, I loved this movie. From the moment it started, with an engaging score done by Trent Reznor, scene after scene played out in multi layered tensions. Rooney Mara (The Social Network, Youth in Revolt) as Lisbeth Salander had the intensity of a troubled soul who could easily burst apart at any moment. There is a possibility she could get an Oscar nod from the academy for this role. Hired for her investigative and computer hacking skills by Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, Munich), who portrays the journalist Mikael Blomkvist, the two try to solve the mystery of a woman who disappeared 40 years ago. I thought the 2 1/2+ hours would be a concern for me; but it was not an issue, as I was completely absorbed by the story. Even a couple of scenes that normally I would look away from, did not deter me from taking in each subtle twist of this thrilling mystery.

3 1/3 stars