I found the original film a bit of a male fantasy: I thought it was implausible that assertive independent, gay, and massively attractive Noomi Rapace would throw herself at a podgy middle aged journo. In this version Lisbeth Salander's appearance is stranger (though the actress is very beautiful) and Daniel Craig as the journo is equally attractive as her, so the relationship between them is less implausible. It also seems to be better integrated with her character development. He is non-sexist and non-threatening to her - unselfconsciously, not in a 'look what a non-sexist guy I am' sort of way. You see from the woman's wary eye how his behaviour looks to her, so her warming to him becomes plausible. It might just be that I think Craig is more attractive than the original actor, but I think there's a bit more to it than that.
Fincher's version is also less sexist in the way that the brutal murders of women are portrayed. One is aware of the crimes, but they were more off-screen, less gloatingly presented, less 'woman in fridge'. The highly difficult rape scene is retained though - and once again I closed my eyes and put my fingers in my ears until it was over so I can't really say anything about it. On the whole I think this Hollywood remake is less male-centric and better balanced than the Swedish original. Not that the original was bad, or that this version has no problems, but I think in dealing with difficult source material, Fincher has done a good job. I definitely will see the next two when he makes them.
ETA - Oh, it didn't do so well at the box office so there may not be any sequels. I think perhaps people don't want to see bad sex and violence at Christmas. Sherlock Holmes II is more the kind of thing for the season. But I still say this is good stuff.