01-13-2014, 09:40 PM
Finally a movie that delivered for me. This is a very solid 2nd entry in the trilogy, and I look forward to soon seeing the third. Noomi Raplace reprises her role as Lisbeth and remains outstanding.
In this installment we discover the evil that a parent can do. Highlights include a deus ex Prius (every time it appears, something positive or negative happens – I guess because of the battery terminals). Then there’s the huge blond bodybuilder/fighter who you know Lisbeth will eventually have to face. In a Hollywood production, no doubt the meeting would be a slug- and kick-fest to the death and to hell with how implausible that would be. But the Swedes are a whole lot more realistic, and the meeting goes in a different direction that I found satisfying and refreshing. It will be interesting to see how the American version (scheduled for 2015, Daniel Craig rumored to be returning) plays it.
And let us not forget the 23rd minute. How could we, with DM reminding us at every turn? That’s when KFM puts in an appearance. And it’s a good couple of seconds, almost lingering, like DM’s eyes on cheesy snake breasts.
I’m really liking the male lead, Mikael Nyqvist (who plays the character Mikael Nyqvist). He has a warm-hearted nature about him, in sharp contrast to the cold standoffishness of Daniel Craig who played Mikael Nyqvist in the American version of the first movie. For the first in the series, I gave a slight nod to the Swedish over the American version. But really, for the second in the series, I suspect the Swedish version will win hands down. That’s how charismatic Mikael Nyqvist is. I really don’t see how Craig can deliver a comparable performance.
Then there’s the role of Lisbeth to consider. To be honest, Swede Noomi Raplace could beat the rugs in a Prius using American Rooney Mara's petite body any day of the week. Noomi has clearly chiseled herself into a wiry bundle of tomboyish womanhood whereas Rooney maybe learned to ride a motorcycle. So there.
I guess I’m feeling Swedish today.
In this installment we discover the evil that a parent can do. Highlights include a deus ex Prius (every time it appears, something positive or negative happens – I guess because of the battery terminals). Then there’s the huge blond bodybuilder/fighter who you know Lisbeth will eventually have to face. In a Hollywood production, no doubt the meeting would be a slug- and kick-fest to the death and to hell with how implausible that would be. But the Swedes are a whole lot more realistic, and the meeting goes in a different direction that I found satisfying and refreshing. It will be interesting to see how the American version (scheduled for 2015, Daniel Craig rumored to be returning) plays it.
And let us not forget the 23rd minute. How could we, with DM reminding us at every turn? That’s when KFM puts in an appearance. And it’s a good couple of seconds, almost lingering, like DM’s eyes on cheesy snake breasts.
I’m really liking the male lead, Mikael Nyqvist (who plays the character Mikael Nyqvist). He has a warm-hearted nature about him, in sharp contrast to the cold standoffishness of Daniel Craig who played Mikael Nyqvist in the American version of the first movie. For the first in the series, I gave a slight nod to the Swedish over the American version. But really, for the second in the series, I suspect the Swedish version will win hands down. That’s how charismatic Mikael Nyqvist is. I really don’t see how Craig can deliver a comparable performance.
Then there’s the role of Lisbeth to consider. To be honest, Swede Noomi Raplace could beat the rugs in a Prius using American Rooney Mara's petite body any day of the week. Noomi has clearly chiseled herself into a wiry bundle of tomboyish womanhood whereas Rooney maybe learned to ride a motorcycle. So there.
I guess I’m feeling Swedish today.