Review of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2009) by Silvina E — 27 Feb 2011

Daniel Alfredson's "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest" (Sweden).

Stieg Larsson's "Millennium Trilogy" comes to a thrilling and satisfying conclusion in "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest". But it also comes with a big caveat.

In this third and final chapter, the tension and narrative shifts into the realm of political intrigue and courtroom drama. This appears to be a natural progression based on what "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" and "The Girl Who Played With Fire" have already tackled and accomplished in their own respective chapters.

Pacing is a little better this time compared to the second film as certain storylines left open from that installment are finally resolved along with the introduction of some new characters. Part I still remains the best of the series.

Now the caveat. It should be noted, however, that a significant portion of this film's courtroom drama only works if the Swedish judicial system's rules on discovery is how they are as depicted in the film, which is entirely different and prejudicial from its American counterpart. If this aspect is entirely fictionalized, it leaves a big hole in its storyline, the narrative loses its credibility and is totally bunk.

Nevertheless, Larsson has created one of the more intriguing and beguiling characters in recent years, Lisbeth Salander. Noomi Rapace portrayal of her is nothing short of memorable. She has made this character her own and her signature mark. It is a shame that her performance was not recognized with an Oscar nomination as it is one of the most noteworthy of 2010.

Good luck to the Hollywood team trying to remake this Swedish trilogy as the bar has been set high, most especially, by Rapace.