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The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest Stars: Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist, Lena Endre, Annika Hallin, Jacob Ericksson, Sofia Ledarp, Micke Spreitz, Georgi Staykov, Mirja Turestedt, Hans Alfredson, Lennart Hjulstrom, Johan Kylen, Anders Ahlborn and Jan Holmquist Director: Daniel Alfredson Scriptwriters: Jonas Frykberg, Ulf Rybert from the novel by Stieg Larsson Composer: Jacob Goth Cinematographer: Peter Mokorsinski Music Box Films Swedish language (subtitled) Rating: R for language, violence, themed material and sexual material Running Length: 148 minutes Screened at Kansas International Film Festival (KIFF) Oct. 1, 2010 The last of the late Stieg Larsson’s trilogy with Liz Salander is on the screen (Swedish version). Fans can only look to 2011 and say, “What---an adaptation already???” The American version of the first book in the trilogy, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo will be out in 2011, but I’m not holding my breath. It would take an exceptional actress to outdo Noomi Rapace as Liz. When we left the last film, The Girl Who Played With Fire, Liz was rescued and being taken to a hospital. The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest begins with Liz in the hospital and being cared for there. She is alive with bullets to her head and hip. Through sheer force of will, Liz rehabs herself, because she is above all, a fighter. The secret government organization that goes back years and years, is still after her, as are other people who were wounded. Man-Mountain Ronald Niedermann (Micke Spreitz) is on the prowl for Liz and anyone else in his way, while patient Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist), journalist extraordinaire, is trying to piece everything together with the help of his staff. They comprise Millennium magazine, which makes you hungry for paper in your hands instead of a Kindle. Blomkvist is a decision-making journalist, and because of it, places some of his staff in danger. Goes with the territory, but there are threatening circumstances. There is a court case with Liz dressing as a Goth Rocker and wherever she is, Liz commands attention because this all has to end. Period. Dr. Teleborian (Anders Ahlborn) is trying to convince the judge that Liz is insane for trying to kill her father. Never mind that he buried her alive. Blomkvist persuades his pregnant sister (Annika Hallin), an attorney, to represent Liz and Perry Mason should take lessons from this lady. The characterizations are a delight. Noomi Rapace lives the role of Liz Salander. This is her creation from the Goth look to a nostril twitch. Michael Nyqvist is the opposite, a comfortable man, yet you know he is figuring things out and works in the background. Micke Spreitz as Ronald Niedermann doesn't have to do anything more than show up. His glare would melt steel. Georgi Staykov as Zalachenko is evil personified as is Anders Ahlborn's Dr. Teleborian, a psychiatrist desperately in need of help himself. The only calm person in the cast is Annika Hallin as Blomkvist's pregnant lawyer-sister, who gives the word "multi-tasking" new meaning. One would imagine her child's first words would be, "I object, your Honor." The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest is a fitting conclusion to the series. As books, they were page-turners, including details about choosing an apartment or stocking a pantry. That is missing in the films, but you can still follow the story well. There are flashbacks to add background knowledge. Sweden is still presented as dark and moody, befitting the situation of fear and danger. Peter Mokorsinski’s cinematography and Jacob Goth’s music add to the atmosphere of heightened awareness. You just never know what is coming next, especially with a bit of homage to “The Godfather” in a certain scene. Stieg Larsson’s books have the unexpected, with sex, violence, foreign setting, spies, journalists, court rooms, asylums, unexpected relatives, and people on the run. What more could you ask for---and---you get to see Liz smile. If only there were more. Copyright 2010 Marie Asner
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