As someone who is a die-hard fan of Stieg Larsson’s best-selling books and of the gritty Swedish films, I had mixed feelings about a Hollywood version.

I was worried it might sugar-coat the violence, intensity, and very dark themes that make the story so compelling. In fact, I might have even boycotted it if it wasn’t for director David Fincher, whose previous films (Fight Club, Se7en, Zodiac, The Social Network) definitely don’t shy away from showing (sometimes explicitly) the dark side of humanity.

And in true Fincher form, this movie is nothing if not intense. Rooney Mara is a fearsome Lisbeth, and for someone in their first major film role, her gutsy, no-holds barred performance is seriously impressive stuff.

Daniel Craig is a much more likeable version of Mikael Blomkvist, and the supporting cast – including Stellan Skarsgard and Robin Wright – are solid.

So yes, it’s a great film and everyone is great in it, but really? It is no better than the Swedish original. (Unless you hate reading subtitles, I guess!)

But that being said, I did enjoy it from start to finish – because it is, at its core, a fantastic story, brought to the screen by really talented people.

So I left the cinema feeling that even though it’s a movie that didn’t really need to be made, I’m glad that it was.

Josie (4 stars)

Unlike Josie, I am certainly no expert on the ‘dragon tattoo’ series.

I have a sneaking suspicion this may have something to do with the fact that I haven’t read the books (I know, I know), and I’ve only seen the first film in the Swedish trilogy.

But I’m happy to report that despite my offensive ignorance when it comes to Stieg Larsson’s cult story, I loved this film. And you don’t have to have read the books to ‘get’ it.

While walking into Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with no knowledge of the saga would leave your brain spinning faster than a Quaffle flying across a Quidditch pitch, David Fincher’s The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo isn’t steeped in jargon or complex character relationship back stories. It’s just a damn good crime thriller.

For those who have even less knowledge of the saga than myself, a warning: it is dark, and quite disturbing in at least a couple of scenes. (The story follows a journalist (Daniel Craig) who’s been hired by an elderly man to find out what happened to his daughter, who died over 40 years earlier in mysterious circumstances).

While it’s a clever and highly enjoyable put-the-pieces-together story with some laugh-out-loud moments, if you’re after something less intense, maybe check out George Clooney in The Descendants. It too is out tomorrow and is said to be The Role of George Clooney’s career (thanks for the heads up, Josie!).

Erin (4 stars)

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is out January 12. Watch the trailer below.