Luftslottet som sprängdes (original title)
Reviewed by Alyn Darnay
Directed by Daniel Alfredson. Written by Jonas Frykberg, based on the novel by Stieg Larsson. In Swedish, with English subtitles. Running time: 148 minutes.
Staring Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander & Michael Nyqvist as Mikael Blomkvist
Ok, let’s put it out there right from the beginning, the third installment of The Millennium Trilogy is as good or better than the rest of the series and a worthy addition. It recaptures the provocative appeal of the outstanding first film, tones down the action/violence of the second movie and wraps up everything with a true thrill ride consisting of an intelligent plot, the continuation of great performances by a very talented cast, and delivering a beautiful and most satisfying finale. I’ve found watching this trilogy a true cinematic treat. It’s right up there with the best of the best. Whither you’ve read the books written by the late author Stieg Larsson or not, the heart of his writing is fully realized on the screen in these remarkable and compelling films.
If you didn’t know about the trilogy or the controversy sounding it, the three films/books in order are, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl who played with Fire, and now The Girl who kicked the Hornet’s Nest. Each one is a satisfying film/book in its own right.
The first film was directed by Niels Arden Opley, and set a kind of Bergman-esk tone and feel for the whole series, the next two were directed with less lonely Swedish angst but with a more sure handed sense of style by Daniel Alfredson. I recommend you see this extraordinary trilogy and see it in order. The first two films are readably available and are a worthy addition to any film collection.
The Hornet’s Nest continues the tale of Lisbeth Salander one of the most interesting and compelling characters introduced into film in years. She’s an underestimated tiny thing of a woman with a very big brain. A computer genus who favors the Goth lifestyle replete with multiple body piercings, a stark black Mohawk, spiked dog collar, studded and buckled black leather pants, jacket, and High Platform Boots all set off with eyeliner applied as though drawn on for an ancient Roman battle.
Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, plays Lisbeth brilliantly, and here again she shines, only this time as she’s amped up as a mesmerizing heroine with nothing but contempt for those people around her that would and have taken her freedom. At this point in the story she’s a battered, angry and very hostile woman, perhaps seeking the opportunity to be locked away from the world rather than proving her innocence, or as we always get from Lisbeth….perhaps not. Therein lies the beauty of Lisbeth, you never really know what’s lurking just below her surface.
I’m not going to tell you much about the story, because that would spoil the whole trilogy for you if you haven’t gotten into it yet. However, for you fans waiting for this, suffice it to say that in Hornet’s Nest, Lisbeth is set to face trial for attempted murder. With the help of journalist Mikael Blomkvist, again played with superb and compelling restraint by the talented Michael Nyqvist, and his researchers at Millennium magazine, Salander must prove her innocence while fighting against both powerful enemies and revelations out of her own past.
That’s it, if you want to know more…see the film. You’ll thank me later for not giving it away.
I highly recommend this film for all those things that make film a joy to watch, the exploration of a different lifestyle, a complex plot, exciting character’s we’ve not seen before, situations that seem new to us, and locations few of us have ever been to. Also, it’s down right brilliant filmmaking. See the trilogy, you won’t be disappointed.
Rating: (5 of 5)
The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest is Rated R for strong violence, some sexual material and brief language.