The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is based on the first of the popular Millennium trilogy books by Swedish author Stieg Larsson. Already into the third film of the trilogy in Scandanavia since November 2009, we lucky Brits are finally getting the chance to see the first film of the trilogy this week and its been well worth the wait as it’s quite brilliant.

When I first saw the trailer for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a few months back I was instantly put off no thanks to the ridiculous American voice over man making it sound pretty corny and something completely different to what it actually is, Check it out here. However I left the screening mesmerised by the storyline and was left emotionally battered by the darkness of it al.

The story introduces us to Swedish investigative Journalist Mikael Blomkvist who has been recently discredited due to a libel case over an article he wrote for the Millennium Magazine. Now with plenty of time on his hands and a high profile he is hired by a wealthy member of the Wagner family, Henrik, to investigate the disappearance/unsolved murder of his niece, Problem is it happened 40 years ago.

Mikael begins an impossible search on the remote estate inhabited by the Wagner family looking through numerous police files, documents and getting to meet the varied ample members of the strange and secretive Wagner’s asking questions of an apparent crime that took place so long ago and getting nowhere which is where our Girl with the Dragon Tattoo comes in.

Lisbeth Salandar (Noomi Rapace) is a disturbed and visually compelling computer hacker who can find information on anyone and similar interests gets her involved in Mikael’s investigation into the missing Wagner girl. We’re introduced to her as she goes through a horrific ordeal with her new guardian, suffers rape, brutal attacks and then carrying-out a dark and horrible revenge on her guardian that is as brutal as they come, It’s a great set up to her character and one that will leave you open mouthed in shock.

Without spoiling the wonderfully rich plot, Lisbeth eventually joins Mikael and together they start to unravel a wonderful and intensely gripping story of the Wagner Family history in a kind of who-dun-it murder mystery that goes deeper and deeper as our unlikely partnered heroes deduce clues that beautifully interconnect and reveal more and more of the wonderful story until we reach an incredible climatic and satisfying conclusion.

The two leads are brilliant with Noomi Rapace dominating the screen in the opening third with some pitch black story-lines and Michael Nyqvist as the investigating Mikael perfectly carrying the story onwards, both form a very watchable and unlikely team that will no doubt escalate in future films that I just cannot wait for.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is a slow burning thriller and despite the beauty of the desolate Swedish landscapes shown throughout, there’s very little beauty in the thick complicated plot that simmers for a long time before coming to the boil as it unravels a wonderful murder mystery story whilst giving hints of a larger story that is no doubt explored more in the sequels.

The run time of about 150 minutes and subtitles will prove a stumbling block for some but I really do encourage everyone to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as it’s a brilliant piece of cinema and one of the best films so far this year. Also catch it before a remake gets well and truly into motion because just like the Swedish made Let the Right One In, GWTDT is up for a remake within in a few years of being released!.

Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is out on he 12th March.