Stieg Larsson was a fascinating man. It’s unfortunate that the world didn’t get to meet him until after he’d left it. The Swedish journalist — “muckracker” might be a better word — died in 2004, just 50 years old. He left behind a trilogy of novels that were published after his death — and became an international phenomenon, selling more than 25 million copies around the world.

It was inevitable that “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” the first book, would be brought to the big screen — twice. His native Sweden has a powerfully creative film industry. And because Americans don’t much watch foreign films, Hollywood had to have its say. David Fincher’s version arrived in theaters this week.