The sequel to the fantastic The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, based on the second novel of Swedish author and journalist Stieg Larsson’s best-selling trilogy.
Lisbeth Salander (again played by Noomi Rapace) is a wanted woman. Two Millennium magazine journalists about to expose the truth about the sex trade in Sweden are brutally murdered, and Salander's prints are on the weapon. She returns to Sweden, after a year abroad, with the authorities after her. Meanwhile, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), editor-in-chief of Millennium, will not believe what he hears on the news. Knowing Salander to be fierce when fearful, he is desperate to get to her before the police, and before she is cornered.
There are few cinematic heroines who can claim to possess such raw edge and fragile spirit as Lisbeth Salander. But not even the revengeful protagonist of Stieg Larsson's second novel can stand wearing as much war paint as star Noomi Rapace. When torturing her remorseless criminal victims, she paints her face joker-style. Not long after her donning a blonde wig in the opening scenes, it feels a bit silly. There's a Hollywood remake in the works but it might not be necessary, judging by some of this film's familiar conventions. One of the baddies can't feel pain – if that's not an excuse to make a human monster on screen, what is?
That's not to say this fiery flick isn't worth seeing. There's still that sense of edge-of-seat, perpectual action, the graphic scenes of violence are more graphic and the poignant little girl lost Salander showed in the first film is ramped up thanks to an intense performance by Rapace, despite her cartoonish make-up. The film just doesn't quite live up to the excitement and surprise value of the The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Part of the reason could be the new director at the helm, Daniel Alfredson, who originally shot this for TV. Although he mostly stays true to the feel of the first film, the story here is much more disjointed – episodic if you like – as journalist Michael Nyqvist (Mikael Blomkvist) and Salander operate as estranged, barely connected individuals. That's a shame because their unlikely chemistry was a pleasure to watch in the first film.
By Rebecca Barry Hill, Flicks.co.nz
Simply a must see and I can't wait to see how they finish it with the third and last movie! Noomi Rapace should win an Oscar.
Went to see this film expecting the tension and excitement of the second book but was bored right from the start. More focus was put into the opening rape scene and the sex scene between Lisbeth and Miriam than the narrative!
I loved this movie. The casting is brilliant as these actors really play their parts well. The cinematography is fantastic. The story is just amazing. I think Hollywood has a lot to learn from these movies.
There seems to be two camps in the voting those who read the book and are disappointed and those who haven't and like this movie. I read the book, the movie is a poor adaptation and skips over vital details. It's like they knew they would be onto a winner after the first movie and didn't try very hard. Shame, I won't go to the 3rd sequel.
Haven't read the books, but I will now. Edge of seat stuff. Brilliant. Come on Flicks, its worth at least 4 stars surely?
The Girl Who Played With Fire is very good, but a step down from “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” if only because that film and its casting were so fresh and unexpected.
A lot happens in two hours but we're left wondering what the point of it all is, especially for those who haven't read the books; there's nothing to hang on to here. With a confusing plot full of holes and only cardboard characters to watch, there's no intrigue, no suspense and certainly no love lost. The girl may play with fire, but she has sadly lost her spark.
Noir never has been this dark.
Though the thriller is in the hands of a different filmmaking team this time led by Swedish director Daniel Alfredson and screenwriter Jonas Frykberg, they've kept the searing intelligence and ruthless bent.
Ms. Rapace, tiny and agile, her steely rage showing now and then the tiniest crack of vulnerability, belongs to another dimension altogether. She makes this movie good enough, but also makes you wish it were much better.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 29th Jul 2010.
Release date: July 29th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
