The Girl
Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest
Directed by Alfred Alfredson
Written by Stieg Larsson (novel) and Ulf Ryberg (screenplay)
On general release from 26th November 2010
Reviewed by
Although this third instalment of the highly commendable Millennium Trilogy
- adapted from the novels penned by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson - is
the weakest of the three films, it is nevertheless a very effective, if
complex thriller.
The lead character is once again master computer hacker and scourge of
the Swedish establishment Lisbeth Salander (played by the charismatic
Noomi Rapace). She narrowly avoided being shot dead by her half-brother
Ronald Neidermann (Micke Spreitz) and her father, former Russian gangster
Alexander Zalenchrako (Georgi Staykov) in the closing scenes of the second
film, The Girl Who Played With Fire.
Her loyal ally, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqyist), editor and publisher
of the radical magazine Millennium, is still frantically bidding to clear
her name of two murders and the attempted murder of her father.
One primary method is through the publication of a special edition of
the journal, largely devoted to proving her innocence, prior to her court
appearance, and uncovering the corruption which resulted in Salander being
incarcerated in a psychiatric hospital and constantly sexually abused,
aged only twelve.
Dressed in her goth outfit - being allowed to wear this apparel in court
after being detained in jail was highly implausible - Salander gained
ample revenge.
Previously reluctant to speak to the judicial authorities at all, she
then produced a bravado performance, brilliantly articulating the way
she had been brutally treated, notably by Dr. Peter Teleborian (Anders
Ahlborn), who was the psychiatrist who supervised Salander when she was
a child. The prosecution team were left completely outwitted by the dramatic
evidence she presented, including secret film of her being raped by her
state guardian.
Hollywood is planning to film a re-make of the trilogy - apparently English-speaking
folks dislike subtitles. Heaven help us!
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