'Hornet's Nest' stings, but runs out of petrol
Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) dressed for court. (Music Box Films)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Running time: 148 minutes
MPAA rating: R (strong violence, some sexual material, brief language)
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More tedious than the first two editions of Stieg Larsson's "Millennium" trilogy, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" still manages to sting the senses at times with dramatic flair and imminent danger.
Swedish director Daniel Alfredson, who called the shots on the previous installment ("The Girl Who Played With Fire") but not the first ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"), has a cinematic dilemma on his hands.
After a brief recap of the end of Episode 2, a violent confrontation with the heroine's estranged father and brute of a half-brother, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" launches with punk, tattooed computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) being rushed to, as they say in Europe, hospital.
Lisbeth took three slugs, including one to the head. If she survives the operation to remove a bullet from her brain, the police are hovering to take her back to Stockholm to stand trial for triple murder.
If you've seen the first two dramatic-thrillers, you must be aware that the determined Ms. Salander will not only survive, but is very likely to kick some major hiney once the bandages are off and she has her mobility back.
The trouble is, not only for the audience but also for screenwriter Ulf Rydberg, the drama is bound to build slowly -- too slowly, in this case -- when your leading lady is confined to a hospital bed for a sizable chunk of screen time. If you're going into this one expecting the usual show of action force by Rapace, just know that you have a long wait on your hands in a finale that runs just two minutes shy of two and a-half hours.
The other pieces of the puzzle are less confined, of course. Veteran Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist, who'll likely appear in the upcoming "Mission: Impossible IV," returns for the hat trick as crusading magazine journalist Michael Blomkvist. Partners with Lisbeth in crime-busting in the original film, Blomkvist spends the series stretch drive aiding Lisbeth's quest to prove her innocence from afar.
For those who haven't seen either previous installment, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" (in Swedish with subtitles) can stand on its own. The satisfaction level, however, will be sort of like sipping a fine wine from a dirty paper cup. Obviously it's quality stuff, but something's missing, or getting in the way of full enjoyment.
Larsson, who died suddenly in 2004 before even his books found impressive audience numbers, sculpted his characters with two-parts danger and equal parts daring. To see them only in the final sprint of characterization, however, dilutes the dramatic impact that has come before.
This third episode is tedious and drawn out, especially during the late-arriving courtroom third act, perhaps because the characters and the story have.
Swedish director Daniel Alfredson, who called the shots on the previous installment ("The Girl Who Played With Fire") but not the first ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"), has a cinematic dilemma on his hands.
After a brief recap of the end of Episode 2, a violent confrontation with the heroine's estranged father and brute of a half-brother, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" launches with punk, tattooed computer hacker Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) being rushed to, as they say in Europe, hospital.
Lisbeth took three slugs, including one to the head. If she survives the operation to remove a bullet from her brain, the police are hovering to take her back to Stockholm to stand trial for triple murder.
If you've seen the first two dramatic-thrillers, you must be aware that the determined Ms. Salander will not only survive, but is very likely to kick some major hiney once the bandages are off and she has her mobility back.
The trouble is, not only for the audience but also for screenwriter Ulf Rydberg, the drama is bound to build slowly -- too slowly, in this case -- when your leading lady is confined to a hospital bed for a sizable chunk of screen time. If you're going into this one expecting the usual show of action force by Rapace, just know that you have a long wait on your hands in a finale that runs just two minutes shy of two and a-half hours.
The other pieces of the puzzle are less confined, of course. Veteran Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist, who'll likely appear in the upcoming "Mission: Impossible IV," returns for the hat trick as crusading magazine journalist Michael Blomkvist. Partners with Lisbeth in crime-busting in the original film, Blomkvist spends the series stretch drive aiding Lisbeth's quest to prove her innocence from afar.
For those who haven't seen either previous installment, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" (in Swedish with subtitles) can stand on its own. The satisfaction level, however, will be sort of like sipping a fine wine from a dirty paper cup. Obviously it's quality stuff, but something's missing, or getting in the way of full enjoyment.
Larsson, who died suddenly in 2004 before even his books found impressive audience numbers, sculpted his characters with two-parts danger and equal parts daring. To see them only in the final sprint of characterization, however, dilutes the dramatic impact that has come before.
This third episode is tedious and drawn out, especially during the late-arriving courtroom third act, perhaps because the characters and the story have.
