Rating:  

Nordisk Film, Sveriges Television, Yellow Bird Films, ZDF Enterprises, Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen and Music Box Films.

Written by: Jonas Frykberg, adapted from the novel, “The Girl Who Played With Fire”, written by Steig Larsson.

In the spring of 2010, independent studio Music Box Films put on North American movie screens one of the year’s most riveting and jaw-dropping cinematic treats – “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.” (REVIEW). Adapted from the first book in the worldwide best selling “Millennium Trilogy” by late author Steig Larsson, “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” was a carnival ride of thrills, cringe-inducing violence, and smart and well-written mystery.

Anchoring a film full of great performances, Noomi Rapace’s extraordinary performance as the titular “Girl” is in large part what lifted the film from being memorable to something truly fantastic. Rapace owns the character of Lisbeth Salander, an uncompromising and fearless character who, somewhere in her 20′s, has already seen and experienced more in her life than most people could ever dream of. In the summer of 2010, this second film hit theaters and on the eve of the final film’s theatrical arrival in the fall of 2010, the DVD of the sequel landed in my DVD player. To say I was excited is, in fact, an understatement.

One year has passed since the end of the first film and Lisbeth has made it back to Sweden, without Mikael Blomqvist, the journalist that she collaborated with both personally and professionally in solving the mysteries of the first film. Back with his “Millennium” investigative magazine, Mikael has hired Dag, a freelance journalist who has uncovered an ongoing sex trafficking ring in their native Sweden. Dag reveals numerous politicos and high-level individuals are involved and Mikael and his editorial staff are ready to help Dag wrap up the loose ends he needs to close out the story.

In another part of Sweden, Lisbeth is trying to blend in and reintegrate into everyday life. Doing so however requires her to cross paths with her fiduciary guardian, the vile and contemptible Bjurman. It was Bjurman’s violation of Lisbeth which still rings fresh in her mind. However, an unexpected turn finds Bjurman gunned down in his home and when Lisbeth’s fingerprints are found on the weapon, she is implicated and sought out as the chief suspect in Bjurman’s murder. When additional murders occur, Lisbeth is branded in the tabloids and the newspapers as a murderer on the run. Mikael, however, does not buy her as a murderer, drawing on his prior relationship with her, and attempts to find a way to reconnect with his former love and investigative partner. Lisbeth hacks into Mikael’s computer, makes contact, and once again, despite their long distance apart, the two friends work together to not only try and save the innocent Lisbeth, but to unravel and expose the sex trafficking ring that may have deeper and stronger ties than anyone would ever expect.

On its own, “The Girl Who Played With Fire” is a solid film, packed with drama, intrigue, and suspense. In comparison to the breathtaking “…Dragon Tattoo”, it falters somewhat. Depending on the third and final film, “The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest”, this film may be the perfect build to a potentially amazing conclusion or the sign that this trilogy may not be able to sustain itself from start to finish. In watching it, I missed the edge, the rhythm, the stunning visual gutpunch the first movie provides, as well as the freshness of seeing something new and wholly original.

Noomi Rapace is again marvelous in the role of Lisbeth and deserves top accolades at the end of the year for all of her work in these films. Seeing her lines reduced significantly within the context of this film, and spending virtually the entire film apart from Mikael, Rapace has a different set of challenges with this performance. There is no wonder that she is being considered for many upcoming English-language features, as Rapace can tell you everything she is feeling with a look, an action, or mere body language. Whether or not she can nail just this role, or she will be able to deliver different and unique performances in other projects, time will tell. Here, she is simply terrific. The continued strong ensemble work carries the film through another complex storyline, which sadly does not come together nearly as well as the first film.

Again, this film requires your attention. People are not what they seem, the film introduces a lot of new characters, and Larsson’s novel is again adapted with a keen eye towards spoken details. Although certainly deserved of its R-rating, moments in “…Played With Fire” do feel as if they were just a few notches above a film made for HBO or Showtime. I still cannot quite figure it out, but this sequel feels slightly off when compared to the first film. Under the direction of Daniel Alfredson, this film does pack much of the same wallop with its sex, violence, and intrigue hanging over most scenes. Perhaps the fault lies with Jonas Frykberg’s adaptation, which seems to get stuck in the mud for awhile when introducing a very important, mysterious, and shadowy figure named Zala, a character which illicits real fear and anxiety within Lisbeth when his name is spoken.

Countless trilogies have dipped in their second entry; a proverbial sophomore slump of sorts. And while this second entry in the “Millennium Trilogy” takes a step backwards, the near flawless first film affords this film a passing grade. A technically sound and well made film, you will undoubtedly like this film a great deal if you loved the first offering. And if you are at all like me, you cannot wait to find out what happens when Lisbeth does indeed kick that hornet’s nest once and for all.

Should I See It?

Fans of the first film may be disappointed, but this is a film which is quite good on its own accord.

Noomi Rapace continues her star rise with her fearless work as Lisbeth. Here she provides a different and more introspective layer to her character and retains her enigmatic persona.

Still a better selection than many of the suspense action films released this year.

What made the first film truly special is not very recognizable here. Despite being a very good film, and one whose complex story will require you to pay careful attention, people may lose interest when the film bogs down for awhile.

The raw and more uncomfortable moments in the first film may not be nearly as effective here., Thus, rendering the film in the eyes of some viewers, unnecessary and dull.

Yes, it is subtitled.