The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest

Directed by Alfred Alfredson
Written by Stieg Larsson (novel) and Ulf Ryberg (screenplay)
On general release from 26th November 2010

Reviewed by Colin Serjent

Although this third instalment of the highly commendable Millennium Trilogy - adapted from the novels penned by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson - is the weakest of the three films, it is nevertheless a very effective, if complex thriller.

The lead character is once again master computer hacker and scourge of the Swedish establishment Lisbeth Salander (played by the charismatic Noomi Rapace). She narrowly avoided being shot dead by her half-brother Ronald Neidermann (Micke Spreitz) and her father, former Russian gangster Alexander Zalenchrako (Georgi Staykov) in the closing scenes of the second film, The Girl Who Played With Fire.

Her loyal ally, Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqyist), editor and publisher of the radical magazine Millennium, is still frantically bidding to clear her name of two murders and the attempted murder of her father.

One primary method is through the publication of a special edition of the journal, largely devoted to proving her innocence, prior to her court appearance, and uncovering the corruption which resulted in Salander being incarcerated in a psychiatric hospital and constantly sexually abused, aged only twelve.

Dressed in her goth outfit - being allowed to wear this apparel in court after being detained in jail was highly implausible - Salander gained ample revenge.

Previously reluctant to speak to the judicial authorities at all, she then produced a bravado performance, brilliantly articulating the way she had been brutally treated, notably by Dr. Peter Teleborian (Anders Ahlborn), who was the psychiatrist who supervised Salander when she was a child. The prosecution team were left completely outwitted by the dramatic evidence she presented, including secret film of her being raped by her state guardian.

Hollywood is planning to film a re-make of the trilogy - apparently English-speaking folks dislike subtitles. Heaven help us!

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