SusannahTHE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE
January 9th 2011 08:24
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE (2009)
STARRING: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Peter Andersson, Yasmine Garbi, Micke Spreitz, Georgi Staykov.
DIRECTED BY: Daniel Alfredson
Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) is back! After an 18 month holiday overseas, which included New Zealand, she returns to Sweden only to end up being framed for three murders. The first two victims are a journalist working for the Millennium group, (which Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) works for) and his girlfriend, who were both researching a sex-trafficking ring in Sweden. The third murder, well, after the events of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, you won’t feel bad about that one.
This second instalment in the three-part adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s very popular Millennium Trilogy of novels, has faced criticism for not being as involving as the first film, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo; also for showing the television mini-series origins more, and for the fact that the two protagonists, Salander and Blomkvist, spend nearly the entire film apart. The difference in style between the first film and second can be explained by the fact that this second part is directed by Daniel Alfredson (as is the third and final film, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest) whereas the first was directed by Niels Arden Oplev. I did not feel that this second instalment was any less cinematic in style because of the change in director.
Personally, I did not find this instalment any less engrossing than the first film either. The mystery of Salander’s past, which was only hinted at in the first film, is explored with startling revelations that relate directly to why she is being framed for murder. Furthermore, it makes sense within the narrative that Blomkvist and Salander do not team up again to investigate. She is wanted by the police and cannot be seen in public. Also, it is a common narrative device to split up main characters and to give them both their own plotlines to follow. Salander and Blomkvist solve different pieces of the puzzle regarding exactly who is behind the sex-trafficking, and the identity of the mysterious gangster, Zala. I think after the ending of the first film audiences were expecting the romance aspect to deepen between Blomkvist and Salander, but that is not really given any opportunity, or priority, The Girl Who Played With Fire. Furthermore, it is established early on that Salander has difficulty maintaining friendships, and, in fact, any close relationships.
Like the first film, The Girl Who Played With Fire still features men who hate women: the rapist pervert from the first film is back; it is men who run and finance the sex-trafficking; and abuse from Salander’s past is revealed. Mercifully, this film is free of any graphic scenes of violence against women, although there is the odd uncomfortable flashback to the events of the first film. Plus there is the introduction of a new villain, Niedermann (Micke Spreitz), the henchman of Zala. He is a tall, muscle-bound, blond German who feels no pain. It is enough to make Dan Brown proud. Salander, it seems, has been greatly damaged by the men in her past, who continue to reach out to hurt her. Despite this, Salander is still the feisty heroine; resourceful, intelligent, who is not afraid of confrontation, and who can take care of herself. She appreciates Blomkvist’s help and friendship, but does not need him to save her.
Altogether an entertaining follow-up to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which builds upon the mystery established in the first film. I am eager to see the final instalment in the trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.
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STARRING: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Peter Andersson, Yasmine Garbi, Micke Spreitz, Georgi Staykov.
DIRECTED BY: Daniel Alfredson
Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) is back! After an 18 month holiday overseas, which included New Zealand, she returns to Sweden only to end up being framed for three murders. The first two victims are a journalist working for the Millennium group, (which Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) works for) and his girlfriend, who were both researching a sex-trafficking ring in Sweden. The third murder, well, after the events of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, you won’t feel bad about that one.
Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander
This second instalment in the three-part adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s very popular Millennium Trilogy of novels, has faced criticism for not being as involving as the first film, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo; also for showing the television mini-series origins more, and for the fact that the two protagonists, Salander and Blomkvist, spend nearly the entire film apart. The difference in style between the first film and second can be explained by the fact that this second part is directed by Daniel Alfredson (as is the third and final film, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest) whereas the first was directed by Niels Arden Oplev. I did not feel that this second instalment was any less cinematic in style because of the change in director.
Michael Nyqvist as Mikael Blomkvist
Personally, I did not find this instalment any less engrossing than the first film either. The mystery of Salander’s past, which was only hinted at in the first film, is explored with startling revelations that relate directly to why she is being framed for murder. Furthermore, it makes sense within the narrative that Blomkvist and Salander do not team up again to investigate. She is wanted by the police and cannot be seen in public. Also, it is a common narrative device to split up main characters and to give them both their own plotlines to follow. Salander and Blomkvist solve different pieces of the puzzle regarding exactly who is behind the sex-trafficking, and the identity of the mysterious gangster, Zala. I think after the ending of the first film audiences were expecting the romance aspect to deepen between Blomkvist and Salander, but that is not really given any opportunity, or priority, The Girl Who Played With Fire. Furthermore, it is established early on that Salander has difficulty maintaining friendships, and, in fact, any close relationships.
Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander
Like the first film, The Girl Who Played With Fire still features men who hate women: the rapist pervert from the first film is back; it is men who run and finance the sex-trafficking; and abuse from Salander’s past is revealed. Mercifully, this film is free of any graphic scenes of violence against women, although there is the odd uncomfortable flashback to the events of the first film. Plus there is the introduction of a new villain, Niedermann (Micke Spreitz), the henchman of Zala. He is a tall, muscle-bound, blond German who feels no pain. It is enough to make Dan Brown proud. Salander, it seems, has been greatly damaged by the men in her past, who continue to reach out to hurt her. Despite this, Salander is still the feisty heroine; resourceful, intelligent, who is not afraid of confrontation, and who can take care of herself. She appreciates Blomkvist’s help and friendship, but does not need him to save her.
Micke Spreitz as Ronald Niedermann
Altogether an entertaining follow-up to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which builds upon the mystery established in the first film. I am eager to see the final instalment in the trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.
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