Review: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Review: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

Rating: **1/2

Nonna's Rating: $$

Rotten Tomatoes: 51%

Audience: 68%

If you have not read all three of Stieg Larsson's Millennium novels and/or seen (and enjoyed) the first two movies of the trilogy, don't see this film. It just won't make any sense. For those of you who overlooked the flaws of the novels and the previous films because Lisbeth is one of the most compelling literary and screen presences ever, go see it. Blessedly, some of the most plodding story lines of the third novel are omitted from the movie: e.g., Erica's sojourn as a newspaper editor and Mikael's affair with Officer Figuerola. However, even with those edits, when Lisbeth is off screen, all we do is long for her return. And, although Lisbeth, when present, is largely silent for most of the film, we can't take our eyes off her as we puzzle about what's going on in her once bullet-riddled brain.

Hollywood is remaking these movies for the subtitle-averse. I have no doubt they can improve on the script, cinematography, and editing of these films, but I pity the poor girl (Rooney Mara) who will play Lisbeth. I can't imagine a tougher act to follow.

Nonna's Ratings:

$$$$ = Worth paying the Friday evening price
$$$= Worth paying the Matinee price

$$= Worth a rental
$ = Wait for cable
# = Skip it