Release Date: 10/29/2010 (Limited)
In the complicated and in-depth plots of the Stieg Larsson trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest continues with its twists and turns before bringing the third and final chapter to a satisfying close. The Hornet’s Nest begins with Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) being helicopter-ed to a hospital in an effort to save her life. She was shot in the head and buried alive at the end of the second film. She managed to dig herself out, put an axe in her father (Alexander Zalachenko)’s head, and scare off her monster of a half-brother, Ronald Niedermann.
At the hospital, Zalachenko happens to be right down the hall from her – both are stable but not doing so well. A government conspiracy that has been protecting Zalachenko since the 1970’s soon unveils itself and starts to unravel. The police are trying to get to the bottom of it at the same time as Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) and his staff at Millenium. Meanwhile, Niedermann is on the run, and Salander is getting healthier only to await a trial in which she is accused of the attempted murder of Zalachenko.
Many new characters are introduced, including the doctor who pulls the bullet out of Salander’s head, Dr. Jonasson. He befriends Salander (as much as she will let anyone befriend her), and plays a key role in helping her and keeping her safe in the hospital. The culmination of the film surrounds the trial, with Blomkvist’s sister Annika defending Salander. The dialogue here is great, and if you didn’t hate “Dr.” Peter Teleborian in the previous movie, you will quickly loathe him in this.
With all the new characters and information to digest, it’s difficult to really get to know and feel for the leads. Not only are the characters extremely complex, their relationships with each other are as well, so some of that is lost in the film. While the Hornet’s Nest may be difficult to follow at times, it’s entertaining nonetheless. As a huge fan of the books, it’s painful to see characters and plot lines eliminated. Of course this is necessary to make the movie two and a half hours instead of five. The ending is also slightly off, but pleasantly, the ending in the movie is fitting and appropriate.
I could definitely handle a fourth book/movie…too bad that can’t happen.
Or can it?
IMDB 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes 50%
Movie Wiseguys 7.0/10