Rated R for brutal violence including a rape, some strong sexual content, nudity and language.
129 Minutes
Directed by Daniel Alfredson
Written by Jonas Frykberg, Stieg Larsson
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Yasmine Garbi, Micke Spreitz, Paolo Roberto, Peter Andersson
Review:
When I went to my local theater to see The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo I must admit that I was not familiar with the trilogy by the late Stieg Larsson. A friend had recommended that I see this movie and that is the sole reason that I decided to go. Ever since seeing the first film in the series I have been sucked into this world of mystery and suspense with Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander. I still have yet to read the books to compare and contrast the films but was definitely eager to watch The Girl Who Played With Fire.
The second film picks up soon after where the first film has left off. Our heroine, computer hacker Lisbeth Salander returns to Sweden after traveling the world and becomes involved in the Mikael Blomkvist’s current investigation of a sex trafficking ring. Situations unfold that cause Lisbeth to be accused of multiple murders and she is forced to go on the run while Mikael works to clear her name and solve the case.
What makes these films for me is the cast. Noomi Rapace truly embodies the character of Lisbeth. Her real life persona is much different than her character. She actually changed her looks to play this role, learned to ride motorcycles and kick box to actually do all of her own action sequences. She changed her appearance and became Lisbeth. She is a very powerful female character, just as Stieg Larsson wanted her. I think he would be proud of the casting job for the films with Noomi in the role. She exudes confidences and freedom and is troubled by her inner demons but that is what makes Lisbeth so real and believable. Some consider her to be a lesbian, but I do not. She is such a free soul that she has sex with both men and women, her sexuality being fluid.
Michael Nyqvist is well cast as Blomkvist as well. I like his passion for exposing the truth no matter what that means to his safety. Yes it is a little careless but his motives are pure in my mind. I like the way that he and Lisbeth play off of one another in the films. They are connected mentally it seems because they are always one step away from each other and are there to help each other when they need it most.
The story is very suspenseful of course, but the music used for this film and the first film is very ominous and definitely does a great job of setting the tone for specific scenes. I like that the music used was very similar for both at setting the tone. There are some definite differences though. The Girl Who Played With Fire has a different feel in some aspects. My thoughts are that it is a different director and his style of filming is different as well as the budget likely has increased on the second and third films due to their success. This film seems to be much crisper and better shot because of the lighting. The first film was very dark not only in story but in the manner it was shot. It is a little hard to tell though because the theater I saw both films in is an art house cinema and is in disrepair in comparison to the local AMC Theaters.
Make sure you see The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. It is currently available at so many places you should have no trouble renting it or watching on instant streaming from Netflix. Either way see that movie immediately and then see The Girl Who Played With Fire. If you have to travel a distance to see this film at a town nearby, trust me it will be worth the drive. If it is not playing anywhere near you then this is a great reason to start lobbying for more foreign and independent films to play in your area.
The Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a movie that will have you on the edge of your seat because of the suspense then this is the film for you. You will be rooting for Lisbeth and Blomkvist and will care about them as characters. I think the flow of the film is very enjoyable and will leave you craving more. This is one of the best foreign films that I have seen aside from Let The Right One In. Funny how there are currently remakes being made for both of these films in America. This is a great example of how great a sequel can be.
Really enjoyed the first film after just seeing it and I Like what you ad to say here. Glad its a sequel that lives up to the first. Funny though, the names on the poster look like a vision test you’d get at the eye doctor:P Will be checking this out soon!
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I am waiting to finish the book before I see this movie. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a really god thriller and the movie version was very close to the book.
Clarabela recently posted..
I have yet to see this, but I am highly anticipating it, especially after watching the first movie a couple nights ago.
It’s funny that you mention this with Let the Right One In, considering that the directors for each movie are brothers.
Thanks for the information Red. I had no idea, that is funny. Both are great movies and I am looking forward to seeing the Americanized versions just to compare and contrast.
I haven’t read the books either, but for me, the first film is the best film of 2010 so far. This for me was a tremendous letdown. I agree with you on the casting and Rapace is indeed a great find. Should most certainly get an Oscar nom for the first film. But this 2nd film didn’t have a lot of what made the first one so great — and a very lackluster ending to boot.
Here was my review: http://magiclanternfilm.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/peter-eramo-reviews-the-girl-who-played-with-fire-%c2%bd/
See I personally loved the entire film even the ending. I think that it is setting the third film up. I think when the third film is released that the ending will likely seem cohesive. The second and third films were likely filmed back to back.
Do all these fuilms have rape in them? Jesus!
Kai B. Parker recently posted..RANKING CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’S FILMS
Actually, it is a not a new rape. Just a flashback to the first films rape. I think it is not done in a horrible manner and truly adds to the suspense of the film so I cant say that it is done tastelessly if you understand what I mean. Women are shown in very favorable light in these films if you truly think of it. Lisbeth Salander is a very powerful character.
And the actress that plays her is HOT! That pic up there of her with the gun is SchWing worthy! Sorry… had to do it.
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
I still haven’t seen the girl with the dragon tattoo. I’m behind the ball. Time to get caught up!
Hi all, im really happy
i just got my new IPhone 4G for FREE lol!. I didn’t think it would work but it pulled through. I followed the steps on Free IPhone 4G and i just thought ide share it! Dont forget to tell your friends
man, what is wrong with me today – im agreeing with Kai B Parker on everything. great, more rape. lets hope the rape scene in this movie is a little less unnecessary as the one in the first one, which had no bearing on the plot whatsoever. i did enjoy the first one though, and might go to see this, when is it out though?
damn you North Americans with your early release dates – i only saw Toy Story 3 this week!
Ross McG recently posted..Inception v Inception
Ross, the rape scene in this film is actually the same one from the first film. It is just a flashback and is actually important to this films storyline.
Don’t worry, McG. I doubt it will last……………… yup, just read Con Air v Under Seige. Things are back to normal!
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
ooo.. Heather, i like this ‘recently posted’ thing in your comments bit – cool feature
Ross McG recently posted..Inception v Inception
Good, because now I’m going to stalk your Inception v Inception!
Heather recently posted..DVD Review- Batman- Under the Red Hood 2010
*Uh oh*
I actually liked this movie a lot. I dunno whether I liked Dragon Tattoo or this more, both are so different in a lot of ways, but I really am enjoying the film adaptation of the Millennium series.
Travis McCollum recently posted..
I feel like I’m the only person this side of the blogosphere who hasn’t seen this. Another epic fail from me.
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Nope, I haven’t either Andrew!
Though Heather gets a double fail for not even seeing Tatto yet. You will think this chick is hot, Heather. I know it! Just evade your eyes from the arm pit hair!
Kai B. Parker recently posted..THE HAPPY 101 AWARD
I actually meant I hadn’t seen The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I haven’t seen ANY. Damn you South America and your lack of diversity in movies.
Encore Entertainment recently posted..Encore’s Greatest Voices- 20-11
We saw the first movie and were totally taken by surprise. This actress is off the charts phenomenal! My husband and I did not even notice that we were reading captions as the story line had us suspended in mid air from the very beginning. I noted that you said, Let the right one in is a work by Larsson’s brother so I am getting that movie to night from our local rental place.
Let me throw an idea out there to you guys now……… Did you get the feeling that parts of this story really happened in someones life? Because I did. There was something about the story line of the nazis, the family secrets, etc. that felt as if this was finally coming out for the world to hear about without knowing which family it is they were exposing! I’m thinking very powerful, wealthy, old money family that perhaps does not even pay attention to books and films such as these…..many would know who they were immediately……that is just something that I had a feeling about. Wondered if anyone else did. Let me know. – Karen
Karen I definitely understand where you are coming from. From what I have read the author took from history and issues in Sweden in addition to his theme of powerful women. What are your thoughts on this being remade?
Well with your permission allow me to grab your rss feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.