'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest'

'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' (R) (rental)

Writer: Ulf Ryberg based on novel by Stieg Larsson
Director: Daniel Alfredson
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Mikael Spreitz

"The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" is the third and final film of the highly successful Stieg Larsson trilogy of novels. The first movie adaptation, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo", was a very intense mystery that lived and breathed with the lead performance by Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander. The movie was effective, engrossing and Rapace gave a great Oscar caliber performance in the title role. I did not read the books but seeing the first movie I wish I had. This is great material that is very compelling and I love the title heroine. This is an original character in a very well done thriller. I somewhat admired the second movie, "The Girl Who Played With Fire" but compared to the original it disappointed me. I first mentioned it was because the love story between Lisbeth and Michael Blomkvist(Micheal Nykvist) was neglected and I wanted to see more of them. I was wrong in that assessment because the Salander character doesn't need him and she is the character that stands out the most in the movies. That being said I thought the second movie was a step down in storytelling from the first.

I like this third movie much better than the second one but it still doesn't measure up to the first one. We are talking about a possible Best Picture and Best Actress nomination for the first movie. The second and third movie are not in the same league as the first but I felt more satisfied with this one than I was the last one. I can't fully recommend it but Noomi Rapace is again outstanding and she has to be in a hospital bed for most of the story. The middle drags but I like the courtroom scenes and I love the ending which should have people cheering. There seems to be more life in this movie than the second one but the first movie is in a class by itself. I like the wrap up here and and I love Noomi Rapace and I am interested in seeing her in American films like next year's "Sherlock Holmes" sequel.

I love the first movie but feel it is probably a tad over rated and I assume not as good as the novels. There also can be improvement in the sequel and the final movie. Which brings me to the David Fincher remakes being made now which I am actually excited for. I think David Fincher could make this trilogy even greater. There seems to be a little something missing from the Swedish films, a little tighter control and effectiveness. Though Rooney Mara (Social Network) has some pretty big shoes to fill if she wants to match Rapace's outstanding performance in the lead role. If you haven't seen the first movie I recommend you wait and rent all three at home and skip this one at the theatres.